Estimating (quality-adjusted) life-year losses associated with deaths: With application to COVID-19.
Health Econ
; 30(3): 699-707, 2021 03.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-986047
ABSTRACT
Many epidemiological models of the COVID-19 pandemic have focused on preventing deaths. Questions have been raised as to the frailty of those succumbing to the COVID-19 infection. In this paper we employ standard life table methods to illustrate how the potential quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) losses associated with COVID-19 fatalities could be estimated, while adjusting for comorbidities in terms of impact on both mortality and quality of life. Contrary to some suggestions in the media, we find that even relatively elderly patients with high levels of comorbidity can still lose substantial life years and QALYs. The simplicity of the method facilitates straightforward international comparisons as the pandemic evolves. In particular, we compare five different countries and show that differences in the average QALY losses for each COVID-19 fatality is driven mainly by differing age distributions for those dying of the disease.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Life Expectancy
/
Quality-Adjusted Life Years
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Middle aged
/
Young adult
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
Health Econ
Journal subject:
Health Services
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Hec.4208
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