The effectiveness and pharmacoeconomic study of using different corticosteroids in the treatment of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Purpose: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are caused by inflammation and/or fibrosis of alveolar walls resulting in impaired gas exchange. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is the third most common type of ILDs. Corticosteroids are the mainstay treatment for HP. The use of intramuscular (IM) betamethasone or intravenous (IV) dexamethasone as weekly pulse doses has shown higher benefit than daily oral prednisolone for HP patients. The aim of this study is to directly compare different corticosteroids in terms of effectiveness and in monetary values and perform an economic evaluation.

Methods: One hundred and seven patients were tested for pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and inflammatory markers to assess the treatment effectiveness. A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was performed. ICERs between 3 treatment groups were calculated.

Results: Post treatment, Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) levels significantly improved in betamethasone group from 723.22 ± 218.18 U/ml to 554.48 ± 129.69 U/ml (p = 0.001). A significant improvement in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) occurred in the dexamethasone group from 56.12 ± 27.97 mm to 30.06 ± 16.04 mm (p = 0.048). A significant improvement in forced expiratory volume (FEV), forced vital capacity (FVC) and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) was observed within the three treatment groups. A significant improvement in oxygen desaturation percentage (SpO) occurred within dexamethasone and betamethasone groups. Betamethasone and dexamethasone were found more cost-effective than prednisolone as their ICERs fell in quadrant C. Furthermore, ICER between betamethasone and dexamethasone was performed; a small difference in cost was found compared to the higher benefit of betamethasone.

Conclusion: Betamethasone and dexamethasone were found to be more effective than prednisolone in improving the inflammatory reaction and the clinical features of HP patients. Betamethasone was found to be the best intervention in terms of cost against the effect.