Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Positive Airway Pressure in Patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background and Objectives@#Positive airway pressure (PAP) is effective at reducing the number of complications in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To the best of our knowledge, no cost-effectiveness analysis of PAP has been conducted in Korea. Subjects and Method: We classified subjects into two groups, those with moderate-to-severe OSA who used PAP after polysomnography (PAP treatment group) and those who did not receive a diagnosis and treatment (control group), and compared their medical expenses over a period of 10 years. The incidence rate of common complications and accidents (coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, depression, diabetes, vehicular accidents, and work-related accidents) with or without PAP was adopted through a literature review. The average medical expenses for treating each complication and accident were found by searching several databases. The analysis consisted of a payer’s perspective and a societal perspective. @*Results@#The incidence of all complications was higher in the control group than in the PAP treatment group. However, since the absolute incidence rate was not high in either group and medical expenses in Korea are low, the expected treatment cost was not high. In contrast, the PAP rental fee was relatively high. To obtain 1 unit of disability-adjusted life year, it costs 40,873,288 won from the payer’s perspective and 31,791,810 won from the societal perspective. @*Conclusion@#PAP treatment reduces patient complications and extends their lifespan, but costs must be considered.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Positive Airway Pressure in Patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background and Objectives@#Positive airway pressure (PAP) is effective at reducing the number of complications in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To the best of our knowledge, no cost-effectiveness analysis of PAP has been conducted in Korea. Subjects and Method: We classified subjects into two groups, those with moderate-to-severe OSA who used PAP after polysomnography (PAP treatment group) and those who did not receive a diagnosis and treatment (control group), and compared their medical expenses over a period of 10 years. The incidence rate of common complications and accidents (coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, depression, diabetes, vehicular accidents, and work-related accidents) with or without PAP was adopted through a literature review. The average medical expenses for treating each complication and accident were found by searching several databases. The analysis consisted of a payer’s perspective and a societal perspective. @*Results@#The incidence of all complications was higher in the control group than in the PAP treatment group. However, since the absolute incidence rate was not high in either group and medical expenses in Korea are low, the expected treatment cost was not high. In contrast, the PAP rental fee was relatively high. To obtain 1 unit of disability-adjusted life year, it costs 40,873,288 won from the payer’s perspective and 31,791,810 won from the societal perspective. @*Conclusion@#PAP treatment reduces patient complications and extends their lifespan, but costs must be considered.

Delayed Tension Pneumocephalus Following Intraoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage Repair / 대한이비인후과학회지

Tension pneumocephalus is a rare complication of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) that may lead to rapid neurologic deterioration. Symptoms typically develop within the first postoperative week after enough air has entered the intracranial cavity to create pressure on the dura. Furthermore, there may be a rapid onset of symptoms after a positive pressure event. However, there may be a more insidious onset of symptoms in the absence of a positive pressure event. We report a rare case of delayed tension pneumocephalus following an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak repair. We discuss here the mechanisms of this complication and the diagnosis and treatment strategies of tension pneumocephalus after an ESS.

Effect of Institutional Kidney Transplantation Case-Volume on Post-Transplant Graft Failure: a Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: The impact of institutional case volume to graft failure rate after adult kidney transplantation is relatively unclear compared to other solid organ transplantations. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 13,872 adult kidney transplantations in Korea was performed. Institutions were divided into low- ( 60 cases/year) volume centers depending on the annual case volume. One-year graft failure rate was defined as the proportion of patients who required dialysis or re-transplantation at one year after transplantation. Postoperative in-hospital mortality and long-term graft survival were also measured. RESULTS: After adjustment, one year graft failure was higher in low-volume centers significantly (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–1.78; P < 0.001) and medium-volume centers (aOR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.57–2.23; P < 0.001) compared to high-volume centers. Low-volume centers had significantly higher mortality (aOR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.15–2.66; P = 0.01) than that of high-volume centers after adjustment. Long-term graft survival of up to 9 years was superior in high-volume centers compared to low- and medium-volume centers (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Higher-case volume centers were associated with lower one-year graft failure rate, lower in-hospital mortality, and higher long-term graft survival after kidney transplantation.

Validation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Temozolomide during and after Radiotherapy for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastomas: 10-year Experience of a Single Institution

This study was performed to validate the effectiveness and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant therapy with temozolomide for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme as a standard treatment protocol. Between 2004 and 2011, patients newly diagnosed with glioblastoma who were treated with temozolomide during concurrent chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy were included from a single institution and analyzed retrospectively. The primary endpoint was overall survival, and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, response, and safety. A total of 71 patients were enrolled in this study. The response rate was 41% (29/71), and the tumor control rate was 80% (57/71). In the 67 patients who completed the concurrent chemoradiotherapy with temozolomide, the median overall survival was 19 months and the 1- and 2-yr overall survival rates were 78.3% and 41.7%, respectively. The median progression free survival was 9 months, and the 1- and 2-yr progression free survival rates were 33.8% and 14.3%, respectively. The mean duration of survival after progression of disease in salvage treatment group was 11.9 (1.3-53.2) months. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with temozolomide resulted in grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxic effects in 2.8% of the patients. The current protocol of temozolomide during and after radiation therapy is both effective and safe and is still appropriate as the standard protocol for treatment of glioblastoma. An active salvage treatment might be required for a better prognosis.