Análisis coste-efectividad del cribado universal de la enfermedad tiroidea en mujeres embarazadas en España / Cost-effectiveness analysis of universal screening for thyroid disease in pregnant women in Spain

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la relación coste-efectividad del cribado universal para la enfermedad tiroidea en mujeres embarazadas frente al cribado selectivo y no realizar cribado. METODOLOGÍA: Modelo analítico de decisión para embarazo y periodo posparto que compara los años de vida ajustados por la calidad (AVAC) obtenidos gracias a la realización de un cribado universal frente al cribado de alto riesgo y no realizar cribado. Se consideraron las probabilidades de los ensayos aleatorios controlados para los resultados obstétricos adversos. Se utilizó un modelo de Markov para valorar el período de vida tras el primer año después del parto y considerar la posible progresión a hipotiroidismo clínico. Los principales supuestos del modelo, así como el uso de recursos fueron evaluados por expertos clínicos. Se consideraron únicamente los costes sanitarios directos. RESULTADOS: Realizar un cribado universal produce 0,011 AVAC más que el cribado selectivo y 0,014 AVAC más que la alternativa de no realizar cribado. Los costes totales directos por paciente fueron de 5.786 Euros para el cribado universal, 5.791 Euros para cribado por riesgo y de 5.781 Euros sin cribado. El paso del cribado selectivo por riesgo al cribado universal puede ahorrar 2.653.854 Euros al sistema sanitario español. CONCLUSIONES: El cribado universal de enfermedad tiroidea durante el primer trimestre de gestación es una estrategia dominante frente al cribado selectivo y coste-efectiva con respecto al no cribado (ratio coste-efectividad incremental de 374 Euros por AVAC), que permite además diagnosticar y tratar casos de hipotiroidismo clínico y subclínico que podrían no ser detectados al cribar solo mujeres con alto riesgo

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of universal screening for thyroid disease in pregnant women in Spain as compared to high risk screening and no screening. METHODOLOGY: A decision-analytic model comparing the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) of universal screening versus high risk screening and versus no screening. was used for the pregnancy and postpartum period. Probabilities from randomized controlled trials were considered for adverse obstetrical outcomes. A Markov model was used to assess the lifetime period after the first postpartum year and account for development of overt hypothyroidism. The main assumptions in the model and use of resources were assessed by local clinical experts. The analysis considered direct healthcare costs only. RESULTS: Universal screening gained .011 QALYs over high risk screening and .014 QALYS over no screening. Total direct costs per patient were 5,786 Euros for universal screening, 5,791 Euros for high risk screening, and 5,781 Euros for no screening. Universal screening was dominant compared to risk-based screening and a very cost-effective alternative as compared to no screening. Use of universal screening instead of high risk screening would result in 2,653,854 Euros annual savings for the Spanish National Health System. CONCLUSIONS: Universal screening for thyroid disease in pregnant women in the first trimester is dominant in Spain as compared to risk-based screening, and is cost-effective as compared to no screening (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 374 Euros per QALY). Moreover, it allows diagnosing and treating cases of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism that may not be detected when only high-risk women are screened

[Cost-effectiveness analysis of universal screening for thyroid disease in pregnant women in Spain]. / Análisis coste-efectividad del cribado universal de la enfermedad tiroidea en mujeres embarazadas en España

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of universal screening for thyroid disease in pregnant women in Spain as compared to high risk screening and no screening. METHODOLOGY: A decision-analytic model comparing the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) of universal screening versus high risk screening and versus no screening. was used for the pregnancy and postpartum period. Probabilities from randomized controlled trials were considered for adverse obstetrical outcomes. A Markov model was used to assess the lifetime period after the first postpartum year and account for development of overt hypothyroidism. The main assumptions in the model and use of resources were assessed by local clinical experts. The analysis considered direct healthcare costs only. RESULTS: Universal screening gained .011 QALYs over high risk screening and .014 QALYS over no screening. Total direct costs per patient were €5,786 for universal screening, €5,791 for high risk screening, and €5,781 for no screening. Universal screening was dominant compared to risk-based screening and a very cost-effective alternative as compared to no screening. Use of universal screening instead of high risk screening would result in €2,653,854 annual savings for the Spanish National Health System. CONCLUSIONS: Universal screening for thyroid disease in pregnant women in the first trimester is dominant in Spain as compared to risk-based screening, and is cost-effective as compared to no screening (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €374 per QALY). Moreover, it allows diagnosing and treating cases of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism that may not be detected when only high-risk women are screened.

El coste social de la depresión en la ciudad de Sabadell (2007-2008) / The social cost of depression in the city of Sabadell (Barcelona, Spain) (2007-2008)

Objetivo: Determinar el coste y la carga social de la depresión en la ciudad de Sabadell en los años 2007 y 2008. Método: El coste social asociado a la depresión se calculó a partir del enfoque de la prevalencia, según la información obtenida en el desarrollo del proyecto European Project Against Depression (EAAD). Los resultados se refirieron al coste de los recursos públicos utilizados, y las fuentes provinieron de los registros oficiales correspondientes. Resultados: El coste directo público de la depresión en la ciudad de Sabadell fue de 9.155.620 € en 2007 y de 9.304.706 € en 2008. El peso relativo de las visitas de atención primaria y el consumo de fármacos representaron más del 85% del coste directo. En el apartado de los costes indirectos no se ha podido obtener el correspondiente a la incapacidad laboral permanente. En 2007 los costes indirectos alcanzaron los 9.720.225 € y en 2008 fueron 9.763.541 €. En ambos casos, el peso correspondiente a la incapacidad laboral transitoria fue el más importante, llegando a 8.561.962 € y 7.333.181 €, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La depresión ocasiona un sustancial impacto económico sobre el sistema sanitario, ya que se asocia a unos altos costes directos públicos. Sin embargo, en el apartado de los costes indirectos, el desconocimiento del coste relacionado con la incapacidad laboral permanente provoca un vacío importante, pues para esta afección esta categoría de coste es la que representa un porcentaje más grande (AU)

Objective: To determine the social cost and burden of depression in the city of Sabadell (Barcelona, Spain) in 2007 and 2008. Method: The social cost of depression was calculated using the prevalence approach, based on information obtained in the development of the European Project Against Depression (EAAD). The results referred to the cost of public resources used, and the sources came from the appropriate official registers. Results: The direct public cost of depression in the city of Sabadell was € 9,155,620 in 2007 and € 9,304,706 in 2008. The relative weight of primary care visits and the use of drugs accounted for more than 85% of direct costs. In the section of indirect costs, the cost of permanent work disability could not be obtained. Indirect costs amounted to € 9,720,225 in 2007 and € 9,763,541 in 2008. In both years, the highest weight corresponded to temporary work disability reaching € 8,561,962 and € 7,333,181, respectively. Conclusions: Depression has a substantial economic impact on the health system because it is associated with high direct public costs. However, the lack of knowledge of the cost associated with permanent work disability is a major limitation, as this cost category represents the highest percentage for this disorder (AU)

The use of cost per life year gained as a measurement of cost-effectiveness in Spain: a systematic review of recent publications.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the methodological characteristics of cost-effectiveness evaluations carried out in Spain, since 1990, which include LYG as an outcome to measure the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. METHODS: A systematic review of published studies was conducted describing their characteristics and methodological quality. We analyse the cost per LYG results in relation with a commonly accepted Spanish cost-effectiveness threshold and the possible relation with the cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained when they both were calculated for the same economic evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 62 economic evaluations fulfilled the selection criteria, 24 of them including the cost per QALY gained result as well. The methodological quality of the studies was good (55%) or very good (26%). A total of 124 cost per LYG results were obtained with a mean ratio of 49,529 and a median of 11,490 (standard deviation of 183,080). Since 2003, a commonly accepted Spanish threshold has been referenced by 66% of studies. A significant correlation was found between the cost per LYG and cost per QALY gained results (0.89 Spearman-Rho, 0.91 Pearson). CONCLUSIONS: There is an increasing interest for economic health care evaluations in Spain, and the quality of the studies is also improving. Although a commonly accepted threshold exists, further information is needed for decision-making as well as to identify the relationship between the costs per LYG and per QALY gained.

[The social cost of depression in the city of Sabadell (Barcelona, Spain) (2007-2008)]. / El coste social de la depresión en la ciudad de Sabadell (2007-2008).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the social cost and burden of depression in the city of Sabadell (Barcelona, Spain) in 2007 and 2008. METHOD: The social cost of depression was calculated using the prevalence approach, based on information obtained in the development of the European Project Against Depression (EAAD). The results referred to the cost of public resources used, and the sources came from the appropriate official registers. RESULTS: The direct public cost of depression in the city of Sabadell was € 9,155,620 in 2007 and € 9,304,706 in 2008. The relative weight of primary care visits and the use of drugs accounted for more than 85% of direct costs. In the section of indirect costs, the cost of permanent work disability could not be obtained. Indirect costs amounted to € 9,720,225 in 2007 and € 9,763,541 in 2008. In both years, the highest weight corresponded to temporary work disability reaching € 8,561,962 and € 7,333,181, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Depression has a substantial economic impact on the health system because it is associated with high direct public costs. However, the lack of knowledge of the cost associated with permanent work disability is a major limitation, as this cost category represents the highest percentage for this disorder.