Avaliação econômica do glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto / Economic evaluation of primary open-angle glaucoma

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a relação custo-utilidade do tratamento inicial com laser ou medicamentos do glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto (GPAA) no Brasil, considerando de um lado os custos totais e de outro lado o impacto na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Métodos: O estudo foi realizado com base em um modelo de Markov, onde uma coorte teórica de portadores de GPAA em estágio inicial foi gerada. Os parâmetros usados no modelo foram obtidos na literatura e incluíram: custos médicos diretos (consultas, exames, tratamento); custos não médicos diretos (gasto com hospedagem, transporte, alimentação, acompanhante); custos indiretos (relacionados à incapacidade para o trabalho); valores de utilidade (qualidade de vida medida em QALY - quality-adjusted life year); e probabilidade de transição entre os estágios de saúde. Três estratégias de tratamento foram testadas no modelo: (1) sem tratamento; (2) tratamento inicial com colírios; (3) tratamento inicial com trabeculoplastia a laser. A medida de desfecho foi a razão de custo-utilidade incremental (RCUI). A robustez do modelo foi testada através de análise de sensibilidade. Resultados: As estratégias (2) e (3) de tratamento inicial do GPAA geraram ganhos em qualidade de vida em relação à (1) no Brasil. Iniciar o tratamento com laser gerou ganho médio de 1 QALY, enquanto que com medicamentos propiciou um ganho de 2 QALYs em média. Dentre as três estratégias testadas, a estratégia (2) foi a custo-efetiva e foi dominante sobre as demais, pois foi ao mesmo tempo a mais barata e a mais efetiva. Conclusão: Tanto a trabeculoplastia a laser quanto os medicamentos como tratamentos primários do GPAA inicial geraram ganhos significativos de qualidade de vida. A estratégia de se iniciar o tratamento com medicações foi custo-efetiva, quando se considera os custos totais. A alternativa de tratamento inicial através de trabeculoplastia a laser não foi custo-efetiva.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the cost-utility relation of the initial treatment with laser or primary open-angle glaucoma medications (PLA) in Brazil, considering on the one hand the total costs and on the other side the impact on patients' quality of life. Methods: The study was performed based on a Markov model, where a theoretical cohort of early-stage GPAA carriers was generated. The parameters used in the model were obtained in the literature and included: direct medical costs (consultations, examinations, treatment); direct non-medical costs (accommodation, transportation, meals, companions); indirect costs (related to incapacity for work); utility values (quality of life measured in QALY - quality-adjusted life year); and probability of transition between stages of health. Three treatment strategies were tested in the model: (1) without treatment; (2) initial treatment with eye drops; (3) initial treatment with laser trabeculoplasty. The measure of outcome was the incremental cost-utility ratio (RCUI). The robustness of the model was tested through sensitivity analysis. Results: The strategies (2) and (3) of the initial treatment of POAG generated gains in quality of life in relation to (1) in Brazil. Initiating the laser treatment generated an average gain of 1 QALY, whereas with medication it gave a gain of 2 QALYs on average. Among the three strategies tested, strategy (2) was cost-effective and was dominant over the other strategies, since it was at the same time the cheapest and the most effective strategy. Conclusion: Both laser trabeculoplasty and medications as primary treatments of early-stage POAG have generated significant gains in quality of life. The strategy of starting treatment with medications was cost-effective, whereas laser trabeculoplasty strategy was not cost-effective, when non-medical costs (direct and indirect) are included.

Costos directos del glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto / Direct costs of open angle primary glaucoma

Introducción: la magnitud del costo asociado al glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto deriva de la atención sanitaria y de la disminución de la calidad de vida del paciente. Objetivos: estimar los costos del glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto en los pacientes atendidos durante el 2010 en el servicio de glaucoma del hospital Dr Salvador Allende. Métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, en el campo de la Evaluación Económica en Salud es un estudio del tipo de descripción de costos, que aplicó el enfoque metodológico del costo de la enfermedad. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por el total de casos con diagnóstico de glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto que acudieron a la consulta seleccionada de glaucoma del citado hospital, durante el primer trimestre del 2011 y que habían sido atendidos durante el 2010. Los costos fueron expresados en pesos cubanos del 2010. El estudio se realizó a partir de las perspectivas de la institución y la del paciente. Resultados: el estudio incluyó 110 pacientes con edad promedio de 60,3 años de edad. El costo promedio de la atención a un paciente en la institución fue de 230,99 pesos cubanos. El costo promedio para los pacientes fue de 290,10 pesos cubanos. Conclusiones: el servicio de glaucoma cuenta con los recursos científico técnicos imprescindibles para la atención de los pacientes. Los costos de la enfermedad para el paciente son cubiertos con los ingresos monetarios que estos perciben

Introduction: the magnitude of the cost of open angle primary glaucoma stems from the health care and the reduction of the patient's quality of life. Objectives: to estimate the open angle primary glaucoma costs in those patients seen at the glaucoma service of Salvador Allende hospital during 2010. Methods: a retrospective cost description-type study, which applied the methodological approach to the disease costs, was carried out in the field of health economic assessment. The universe of study was the total number of cases diagnosed as open angle primary glaucoma and seen at the glaucoma service during the first quarter of 2011 and those which had been treated during 2010. The costs were given in Cuban pesos, according to the 2010 rate. The study was conducted on the basis of the perspectives of the institution and those of the patients. Results: the study comprised 110 patients aged 60.3 years. The average cost of assistance to a patient at the hospital was 230.99 Cuban pesos. The average cost for the patients was 290.10 Cuban pesos in the analyzed period. Conclusions: the glaucoma service has the indispensable scientific and technical resources for the care of patients. The costs of the disease for the patients are afforded by their own incomes