[Cost-effectiveness analysis of fracture liaison services in Catalonia]. / Análisis de coste-efectividad de las Unidades de Coordinación de Fracturas en Cataluña.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) compared to the standard of care for secondary prevention of fragility fractures form the perspective of the Catalan Health Service. METHODS: Cost-utility assessment through a Markov model that simulated disease progression of a patients' cohort candidates to initiate antiosteoporotic treatment after a fragility fracture. A time horizon of 10 years and a 6-month duration per cycle was established. Clinical, economics and quality of life parameters were obtained from the literature and derived from four Catalan FLS. The Catalan Health Service perspective was adopted, considering direct health costs expressed in 2022 euros. A 3% discount rate was applied on costs and outcomes. Uncertainty was assessed through multiple sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Compared to the standard of care, FLS would promote antiosteoporotic initiation and persistence, reducing the incidence and mortality associated with subsequent fragility fractures. This incremental clinical benefit was estimated at 0.055 years and 0.112 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per patient. A higher cost (€1,073.79 per patient) was estimated, resulting into an incremental cost-utility ratio of €9,602.72 per QALYs gained. The sensitivity analyses performed were consistent, corroborating the robustness and conservative approach of the base-case. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of FLS for the secondary prevention of FF would represent a cost-effective strategy from the Catalan Health Service perspective.

Beneficio clínico y económico de 32 años de tratamiento antirretroviral de personas que viven con VIH en España: ¿ha sido una intervención eficiente? / Clinical and economic benefit of 32 years of antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV in Spain: Has it been an efficient intervention?

Introducción: Aunque el tratamiento antirretroviral (TAR) del VIH/sida se introdujo en 1987, la mejora en la progresión de la enfermedad y reducción de la mortalidad poblacional no se observó sino hasta 1996, con la combinación de tres o más fármacos. El objetivo fue estimar el beneficio clínico y económico del TAR en España en el periodo de 32 años, comprendido entre 1987 y 2018. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis de coste-beneficio mediante la simulación de Monte Carlo de segundo orden, desde las perspectivas de la sociedad (caso base) y el Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS). Los nuevos casos de VIH, sida y muertes relacionadas se obtuvieron de los registros SINIVIH y ONUSIDA, con proyecciones poblacionales sin TAR mediante suavizamiento exponencial triple. El gasto en TAR se obtuvo de informes del Plan Nacional del SIDA y estudios de mercado. Resultados: El SNS invirtió 6.185 millones de euros en 32 años. Durante este periodo se evitaron 323.651 muertes por sida, 500.129 casos de sida y 161.417 casos de VIH, con un ahorro total de 41.997 millones de euros. El beneficio neto (ahorros netos) se estima en 35.812 millones de euros (sociedad) y 1.032 millones de euros (SNS). Por cada euro invertido en TAR, se obtuvo un retorno de la inversión de 6,79 € y 1,16 €, respectivamente. Conclusión: La utilización de TAR durante 32 años ha evitado gran número de muertes y casos de sida y VIH, generando significativos ahorros económicos para el SNS. El TAR es una intervención eficiente para el SNS.(AU)

Introduction: Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV / AIDS was introduced in 1987, improvement in disease progression and reduction in mortality at a population level was not observed until 1996, with the combination of three or more drugs. The objective was to estimate the clinical and economic benefit of ART in Spain in the 32-year period between 1987 and 2018. Methods: A cost-benefit analysis was performed, using a second-order Monte Carlo simulation, from the societal (base case) and the National Health System (NHS) perspectives. New cases of HIV, AIDS and related deaths were obtained from the SINIVIH and UNAIDS registries, with population projections without ART using triple exponential smoothing. Expenditure on ART was obtained from the National AIDS Plan reports and market studies. Results: The NHS invested 6,185 million euros in 32 years. In that period, 323,651 AIDS-related deaths, 500,129 AIDS cases and 161,417 HIV cases were averted, with total savings of 41,997 million euros. The net benefit (net savings) is estimated at 35,812 million euros (societal) and 1,032 million euros (NHS). For every euro invested in ART, a return on investment of € 6.79 and € 1.16 was obtained, respectively. Conclusion: The use of ART over 32 years prevented a large number of deaths and cases of AIDS and HIV, providing significant economic savings for the NHS. ART is an efficient intervention for the NHS.(AU)

Situación en 2020 de los requerimientos para la utilización de inhibidores de PCSK9 en España: resultados de una encuesta nacional / Situation in 2020 of the requirements for the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in Spain: Results of a national survey

OBJETIVO: Durante los años 2019 y 2020 se realizaró una serie de reuniones en todo el territorio nacional dirigidas a explicar la metodología y los criterios de elaboración de las recomendaciones sobre la utilización de iPCSK9 publicadas por la Sociedad Española de Arteriosclerosis. Al final de cada una de las reuniones se realizó una encuesta entre los médicos participantes dirigida a describir los requerimientos de prescripción de estos fármacos en las diferentes regiones españolas. METODOLOGÍA: El Proyecto Efecto Mariposa fue desarrollado por un comité científico experto en lipídos. Tras la elaboración de todos los materiales necesarios para llevar a cabo el proyecto, se efectuó una reunión de formadores, impartida por los coordinadores del proyecto, a un total de 17 expertos. Posteriormente, se realizaron 16 talleres regionales con la asistencia de 169 médicos implicados en el manejo de la hipercolesterolemia, los cuales respondieron una encuesta donde se planteaban diferentes cuestiones acerca del uso de los iPCSK9 en su práctica clínica. CONCLUSIÓN: Los resultados demuestran importantes diferencias en el tratamiento con iPCSK9 en el contexto de la práctica clínica habitual en España. El análisis de estos resultados permitirá plantear en el futuro actuaciones orientadas a la equidad del acceso a los iPCSK9 a nivel nacional, con el objetivo principal de maximizar su beneficio potencial de acuerdo con el perfil del paciente.

AIMS: During 2019 and 2020 a series of meetings over the country were carried out, with the aim of explaining the methodology and criteria for the ellaboration of the recommendations on the use of iPCSK9, published by the Spanish Society of Atherosclerosis (SEA in Spanish). At the end of the meetings, a survey was conducted among the participants, in order to describe the prescription requirements of these drugs in the Spanish regions. METHODOLOGY: Butterfly Project was developed by a scientific Committee of experts in lipids. After the ellaboration of the materials for the project, a train the trainers program was carried out, imparted by 17 experts who were the Project coordinators. Later, 16 regional workshops were performed, with the attendance of 169 medical doctors involved in the management of hipercolesterolemia. The attendants responded the survey, where they were asked different questions on the use of iPCSK9 on their clinical practice. RESULTS: A high heterogeneity among centers regarding the requirements and difficulties for iPCSK9 prescription was revealed. Twenty one per cent of responders indicated to have low difficulties to prescribe iPCSK9 in their hospitals, whereas 78% found moderate or high difficulties. The difficulties came from burocracy- administrative aspects (18%), restrictions in the indication (41%) and both (38%). In general, the obstacles did not depend on the hospital level, neither the speciality, or the presence of lipid units, although the existance of lipid units was associated with a higher number of patients treated with iPCSK9. The factors which were associated with higher difficulty in the prescription were: the presence of an approval committee in the hospitals, the frequency in the revision of the treatment by hospital pharmacy, the temporal cadence of the prescription, the profile of patients seen and the criteria followed by the specialists for the prescription.

Clinical and economic benefit of 32 years of antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV in Spain: Has it been an efficient intervention?

INTRODUCTION: Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV/AIDS was introduced in 1987, improvement in disease progression and reduction in mortality at a population level was not observed until 1996, with the combination of three or more drugs. The objective was to estimate the clinical and economic benefit of ART in Spain in the 32-year period between 1987 and 2018. METHODS: A cost-benefit analysis was performed, using a second-order Monte Carlo simulation, from the societal (base case) and the National Health System (NHS) perspectives. New cases of HIV, AIDS and related deaths were obtained from the SINIVIH and UNAIDS registries, with population projections without ART using triple exponential smoothing. Expenditure on ART was obtained from the National AIDS Plan reports and market studies. RESULTS: The NHS invested 6185 million euros in 32 years. In that period, 323,651 AIDS-related deaths, 500,129 AIDS cases and 161,417 HIV cases were averted, with total savings of 41,997 million euros. The net benefit (net savings) is estimated at 35,812 million euros (societal) and 1032 million euros (NHS). For every euro invested in ART, a return on investment of € 6.79 and € 1.16 was obtained, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ART over 32 years prevented a large number of deaths and cases of AIDS and HIV, providing significant economic savings for the NHS. ART is an efficient intervention for the NHS.

Situation in 2020 of the requirements for the use of PCSK9 inhibitors in Spain: Results of a national survey. / Situación en 2020 de los requerimientos para la utilización de inhibidores de PCSK9 en España: resultados de una encuesta nacional.

AIMS: During 2019 and 2020 a series of meetings over the country were carried out, with the aim of explaining the methodology and criteria for the ellaboration of the recommendations on the use of iPCSK9, published by the Spanish Society of Atherosclerosis (SEA in Spanish). At the end of the meetings, a survey was conducted among the participants, in order to describe the prescription requirements of these drugs in the Spanish regions. METHODOLOGY: Butterfly Project was developed by a scientific Committee of experts in lipids. After the ellaboration of the materials for the project, a train the trainers program was carried out, imparted by 17 experts who were the Project coordinators. Later, 16 regional workshops were performed, with the attendance of 169 medical doctors involved in the management of hipercolesterolemia. The attendants responded the survey, where they were asked different questions on the use of iPCSK9 on their clinical practice. RESULTS: A high heterogeneity among centers regarding the requirements and difficulties for iPCSK9 prescription was revealed. Twenty one per cent of responders indicated to have low difficulties to prescribe iPCSK9 in their hospitals, whereas 78% found moderate or high difficulties. The difficulties came from burocracy- administrative aspects (18%), restrictions in the indication (41%) and both (38%). In general, the obstacles did not depend on the hospital level, neither the speciality, or the presence of lipid units, although the existance of lipid units was associated with a higher number of patients treated with iPCSK9. The factors which were associated with higher difficulty in the prescription were: the presence of an approval committee in the hospitals, the frequency in the revision of the treatment by hospital pharmacy, the temporal cadence of the prescription, the profile of patients seen and the criteria followed by the specialists for the prescription. CONCLUSION: The results show important diferences in the treatment with iPCSK9 in the context of clinical practice in Spain. The analysis of these results will permit to make proposals regarding future actions addressed to reach the equity in the access to iPCSK9 in Spain, with the main aim of maximizing their potential benefit according to the patients profile.

Clinical and economic benefit of 32 years of antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV in Spain: Has it been an efficient intervention? / Beneficio clínico y económico de 32 años de tratamiento antirretroviral de personas que viven con VIH en España: ¿ha sido una intervención eficiente?

INTRODUCTION: Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV / AIDS was introduced in 1987, improvement in disease progression and reduction in mortality at a population level was not observed until 1996, with the combination of three or more drugs. The objective was to estimate the clinical and economic benefit of ART in Spain in the 32-year period between 1987 and 2018. METHODS: A cost-benefit analysis was performed, using a second-order Monte Carlo simulation, from the societal (base case) and the National Health System (NHS) perspectives. New cases of HIV, AIDS and related deaths were obtained from the SINIVIH and UNAIDS registries, with population projections without ART using triple exponential smoothing. Expenditure on ART was obtained from the National AIDS Plan reports and market studies. RESULTS: The NHS invested 6,185 million euros in 32 years. In that period, 323,651 AIDS-related deaths, 500,129 AIDS cases and 161,417 HIV cases were averted, with total savings of 41,997 million euros. The net benefit (net savings) is estimated at 35,812 million euros (societal) and 1,032 million euros (NHS). For every euro invested in ART, a return on investment of € 6.79 and € 1.16 was obtained, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of ART over 32 years prevented a large number of deaths and cases of AIDS and HIV, providing significant economic savings for the NHS. ART is an efficient intervention for the NHS.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a surveillance program to prevent hip dislocation in children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we conducted an economic evaluation of a surveillance programme to prevent hip dislocation in children with cerebral palsy. METHOD: We developed a model that compared costs and health outcomes of children with cerebral palsy with and without a surveillance programme. Information from a number of sources was combined into a decision analytical model, primarily based on data from a comparative study with a 20-year follow-up. Effectiveness was measured using Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). The analysis took the perspective of the Spanish National Health Service. We undertook extensive sensitivity analyses including a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: The surveillance programme led to higher QALYs and higher health care costs, with an estimated incremental cost per QALY gained of 12,282€. The results were robust to model assumptions. The probability that the programme was cost-effective was estimated to be over 80% at the threshold of 25.000€/QALY recommended in Spain. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that surveillance programmes to prevent hip dislocation in children with cerebral palsy are likely to be cost-effective.

Application of flexible endoscopy-based biopsy in the diagnosis of tumour pathologies in otorhinolaryngology. / Aplicación de la biopsia por endoscopia flexible en el diagnóstico de la patología tumoral en otorrinolaringología.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Interventional endoscopy allows us to act on the pathology of the patient with minimal discomfort, low costs and high efficiency. We assessed the validity of flexible endoscopic biopsies in our hospital, in lesions suspected of malignancy in the rhino-pharyngo-laryngeal space. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with a pathology suspected of malignancy assessed between 2006-2016 in our centre. We evaluated the effectiveness, the tolerance and the number of complications. We calculated the cost reduction in comparison with direct laryngoscopy in the operating room. We compared our sample with others of similar characteristics described in the literature. RESULTS: Thirty patients were studied with a flexible endoscopic biopsy during that period. Nineteen patients obtained positive results which allowed them to start treatment for their pathology. Seven cases had no evidence of malignancy and required another biopsy under general anaesthesia, which confirmed the carcinoma diagnosis. Two samples ruled out malignancy which was confirmed by laryngeal microsurgery. One case showed inflammation and the lesion was cured after antibiotherapy. It was impossible to collect the sample in one case. Thus, we obtained sensitivity levels of 73% with a specificity of 100%. There were no complications. The cost reduction in our sample was above 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Flexible endoscopic biopsy has advantages over direct laryngoscopy that are relevant in the diagnosis of oncological pathology in otorhinolaryngology.

Estudio coste-beneficio de la vacunación contra varicela en Aragón / A cost-benefit analysis of varicella vaccination in Aragón

Fundamento. La varicela, enfermedad infecto-contagiosa que afecta a la infancia de forma benigna, puede complicarse en adultos y niños vulnerables y ser mortal. Existen vacunas eficaces. Se estudiaron retrospectivamente los costes que supuso esta enfermedad en la población aragonesa en el período 2004-2014 y las hospitalizaciones generadas. Se compararon con los gastos que supondría haber vacunado a esas personas y también los gastos de vacunar a la población de 1 año de edad durante todo ese período. Mediante un análisis coste-beneficio, se evaluó el impacto económico de la vacunación. Método. Se utilizaron datos de la Autonomía de Aragón (España) de estos 11 años (incidencia anual de varicela, altas hospitalarias por este motivo, precio de la consulta de atención primaria y de hospitalización de cada año, así como el coste de días de trabajo según el salario mínimo anual y medicaciones utilizadas). Se calcularon los costes capitalizados, se compararon con los gastos capitalizados de vacunación y se realizó un análisis de sensibilidad. Resultados. Se obtuvo un índice beneficio-coste de 1,6 vacunando y revacunando a todos los niños que se enfermaron. Resultó un índice beneficio-coste de 1,24 al vacunar a toda la población de 12 meses con vacuna de 28,59€. En estos 11 años, el 53% de las hospitalizaciones fueron niños menores de 5 años. Conclusiones. Las campañas públicas de vacunación con 2 dosis a población menor de 4 años suponen ahorro y rentabilidad porque el precio de la vacuna permite un índice beneficio-coste superior a 1. Es esperable una gran disminución de hospitalizaciones en la población de 3-4 años.

Background. Varicella, a contagious and infectious disease that is usually benign in children, may become complicated among adults and vulnerable children and may even be life-threatening. There are effective vaccines. A retrospective study was conducted about costs and resulting hospitalizations related to this disease in the population of Aragón in the 2004-2014 period. Costs were compared to the expenses that would have been incurred if those people had received the vaccine and also to the expenses of vaccinating the 1-year-old population over the entire period. A cost-benefit analysis was done to assess the economic impact of varicella vaccination. Method. Data for the 11-year period were provided by the Autonomous Community of Aragón (Spain) and included annual varicella incidence, hospital discharges of varicella cases, costs of primary health care visits and hospitalizations for each year, costs of each workday as per the minimum annual salary and of drugs used). Capitalized costs were estimated and compared to capitalized expenses of vaccination, and a sensitivity analysis was performed. Results. A benefit-cost ratio of 1.6 was obtained considering that all children who had varicella had been vaccinated and had received a booster dose. A benefit-cost ratio of 1.24 was obtained considering that the vaccine had been administered to every 1-year-old individual at a price of EUR 28.59 per vaccine. Over the 11-year period, 53% of hospitalizations corresponded to children younger than 5 years old. Conclusions. Public campaigns for the immunization of children younger than 4 years old with 2 doses lead to cost savings and are cost-effective because the vaccine price results in a benefit-cost ratio greater than 1. A major reduction is expected in the number of hospitalizations among children aged 3-4 years.

Impacto clínico de un programa de falla cardiaca / Clinical impact of heart failure program

Introducción: La falla cardiaca es un problema de salud pública, genera grandes costos al sistema de salud por las readmisiones hospitalarias y genera morbimortalidad en los pacientes. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto en la clase funcional, las visitas al servicio de urgencias y las readmisiones hospitalarias en la población de pacientes atendidos en el programa de falla cardiaca de un centro de referencia cardiovascular en Colombia. Metodología: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo y prospectivo. Se realizó un análisis de las características clínicas y demográficas de los pacientes un año antes y después de ingresar al programa de la falla cardiaca. Resultados: Se incluyeron 511 pacientes, con una edad promedio de 66,4 ± 14,3 años, 58,7% de sexo masculino. Se realizó seguimiento en un programa de la falla cardiaca en el cual se contó con los controles por cardiología y enfermería, rehabilitación cardiaca, asistencia a un programa educativo y apoyo por psicología. Luego de 18 meses de seguimiento se demostró un incremento estadísticamente significativo en la fracción de eyección en la clase funcional, se disminuyeron las consultas a urgencias en un 29,3%, las rehospitalizaciones en un 66,8% y la duración de estas en un 37,5%. La mortalidad total fue del 4%. Conclusión: El seguimiento multidisciplinario en programas de la falla cardiaca es factible en Colombia, mejorando la clase funcional, la fracción de eyección y disminuyendo los ingresos hospitalarios y las visitas al servicio de urgencias.

Introduction: Heart failure is a public health problem. It generates morbidity in patients, hospital re-admissions and with huge costs to the health system. Objective: To evaluate the impact on functional class, visits to the emergency room, and hospital readmissions in the population of patients treated in a heart failure program of a reference cardiovascular centre in Colombia. Methodology: A retrospective and prospective cohort study was performed. The clinical, demographic characteristics of the patients, admissions to the hospital, emergency room visits, and the costs inherent to their care were analysed one year before and after they were admitted to the heart failure program. Results: A total of 511 patients were included, with a mean age of 66.4 +/- 14.3 years, 58.7% of whom were male. The follow up in the heart failure program included cardiology consultation, nurse evaluations, cardiac rehabilitation, an educational program, and psychological support. After 18 months of follow up, a statistically significant increase in ejection fraction was found in functional class. Emergency room visits decreased by 29.3%, admissions to the hospital decreased by 66.8%, and the length of stay decreased by 37.5. Total mortality was 4%. Conclusion: The multidisciplinary follow up in a heart failure program is feasible in Colombia. It improves the functional class, the ejection fraction, and decreases hospital readmissions and emergency room visits.

[Cost-effectiveness and safety of telaprevir and boceprevir for chronic hepatitis C in real-world clinical practice]. / Coste-efectividad y seguridad de telaprevir y boceprevir para el tratamiento de la hepatitis C crónica en la práctica clínica.

INTRODUCTION: Triple therapy with telaprevir or boceprevir has proven to be effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with response rates of up to 88%. However, the treatment may be associated with important adverse effects and a high economic impact. OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness and safety of triple therapy with telaprevir or boceprevir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Retrospective observational study. We included all patients who had started treatment with protease inhibitors before July 31(st), 2013. We evaluated sustained virological response, the cost per patient achieving sustained virological response, and the cost of the supportive treatment for adverse events associated with triple therapy. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were included; 35 had been treated with telaprevir (59.3%) and 24 with boceprevir (40.7%). Sustained virological response was achieved by 38 (64.4%) patients: 24 (68.6%) patients in the telaprevir treatment arm and 14 (58.3%) patients in the boceprevir treatment arm. The cost per patient with sustained virological response was 43,555 € (95% CI 35,389-51,722 €). There were no statistically significant differences between the overall costs of therapy with telaprevir, 43,494 € (95% CI 34,795 €-55,092 €) versus boceprevir, 42,005 € (95% CI 32,122-64,243€). The mean cost of supportive care per patient was 1,500 €, while the maximum cost was 11,374 €. Due to adverse events, 8 (13.6%) patients required hospital admission, 22 (37.3%) patients attended the accident and emergency department, and 26 (44.1%) patients needed additional medical consultations. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of triple therapy with telaprevir or boceprevir resulted in high cost per patient with sustained virological response. Due to adverse events, a high number of patients required supportive care, whose costs should be added to those of triple therapy.

Economic evaluation of the restriction in the use piroxicam in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: A retrospective economic evaluation was performed on the restriction of the use of piroxicam in Spain, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, with a proven higher risk of serious gastrointestinal complications compared to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with the objective of putting the relevance of these activities into context. METHODS: A retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis and a budget impact analysis were performed. Costs and cases of serious gastrointestinal complications were compared in the non-intervention (use of piroxicam) and the intervention scenarios (use of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The cost of serious gastrointestinal complications was obtained from the Diagnosis Related Groups and the cost of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from usage data in the Spanish national health system. The risk of serious gastrointestinal complications was obtained from epidemiological studies. RESULTS: The regulatory intervention was the dominant option. In that sense, 0.81 euros per treated patient were saved, 2.75 cases of serious gastrointestinal complications were avoided per 10,000 patients and 578,608 euros were saved in total in Spain in the first year following the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to perform complete economical evaluations on pharmacovigilance actions. The intervention performed by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices, AEMPS on piroxicam not only achieved the objective of preventing adverse drug reactions but also resulted in significant economical savings even under conservative assumptions.

[Cost-effectiveness of rosuvastatin versus simvastatin, atorvastatin and pitavastatin in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk in Spain]. / Coste-efectividad de rosuvastatina frente a simvastatina, atorvastatina y pitavastatina en pacientes con riesgo cardiovascular alto y muy alto en España.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of rosuvastatin versus simvastatin, atorvastatin and pitavastatin in Spain, according to the European guidelines for the treatment of dyslipidemias in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk. METHODS: A Markov long-term cost-effectiveness model of rosuvastatin versus simvastatin, atorvastatin and pitavastatin in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk defined according to 5 factors (sex, age, smoking habit, baseline cholesterol level, and systolic blood pressure) using the SCORE system. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is expressed in euros per quality adjusted life years and is calculated according to the perspective of the Spanish National Health System. RESULTS: Rosuvastatin is associated with a greater health benefit than the other statins across the considered profiles. Rosuvastatin is cost-effective compared to simvastatin in patients with SCORE risk ≥8% in females and ≥6% in males, while between 5% and the indicated values its cost-effectiveness is conditional to the patient baseline c-LDL level. Rosuvastatin is more cost-effective versus atorvastatin in female profiles associated with a SCORE risk≥11% and male profiles with SCORE risk ≥10%. Rosuvastatin is superior versus pitavastatin in both female and male profiles with high and very high cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSIONS: Rosuvastatin is a cost-effective therapy in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia versus simvastatin, atorvastatin and pitavastatin, especially in specific profiles of patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk factors, according to the SCORE system, in Spain.

[Cost-benefit analysis of a population-based cervical cancer screening program designed for Cantabria]. / Análisis coste-beneficio de un programa poblacional de diagnóstico precoz de cáncer de cuello uterino diseñado para Cantabria.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide in women, with an annual mortality of 3.6 per 100.000 women in Spain. An opportunistic screening protocol is currently being developed in Cantabria. The objective of the study is to propose a population-based screening program in Cantabria and assess its cost-benefits. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The population-based program design has been carried out according to the description of the natural course of cervical cancer and its incidence and mortality in Cantabria during 2000-2009. There have been some proposals to increase participation in the program and to evaluate its quality. Costs and benefits (direct and indirect) have been analyzed in several scenarios by modifying the frequency of tests (3-5 years), the age at which the program can be accessed (21, 25 or 30 years), the coverage of the program (60-80%), and discount rates (0-3-6%). RESULTS: A program carried out with coverage of 80% and tests performed every 3 years generates annual costs of €893.000 (discount rate of 3%) compared to the current opportunistic protocol. Scenarios with tests performed every 5 years generate an annual benefit higher than €618.000, depending on the age of accessing the program. CONCLUSIONS: Scenarios with coverage lower than 60% or with women over 30 years old having access to the program are not of interest because of the lower health benefits. However, performing tests every 5 years is more economically advantageous than every 3 years, with similar health benefits.