Economic evaluation of colorectal cancer screening programs: Affordability for the health service.

Objectives: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of the public colorectal cancer screening program in the Abruzzo region, Italy.

Methods: Cost-effectiveness was analysed using a two-armed Markov model comparing: (1) Abruzzo screening program based on biennial faecal immunochemical occult blood testing, with colonoscopy as second level test for individuals with positive results, with (2) Treatment of symptomatic patients according to the stage of the neoplasm. Transition probabilities were adjusted for accuracy of tests and incidence of colorectal cancer.

The harmonic study: cost-effectiveness evaluation of the use of the ultrasonic scalpel in total thyroidectomy.

Background: Total thyroidectomy (TT) can be performed either with the traditional technique or using the ultrasound scalpel. Here, the use of the ultrasound scalpel is investigated in order to assess cost-effectiveness from an hospital, third party payer and societal perspective.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the University Hospital A.