Related Experiment Videos
The cost-effectiveness of treatment for congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Marten J Poley1, Elly A Stolk, Dick Tibboel
1institute for Medical Technology Assessment (iMTA) and the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sophia Children's Hospital, University Hospital Rotterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Neonatal surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is cost-effective, offering a favorable cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). This study provides crucial health economic data supporting CDH treatment interventions.
Area of Science:
- Health economics
- Pediatric surgery
- Medical intervention analysis
Background:
- Cost-effectiveness is increasingly vital for healthcare decision-making.
- Evidence on the cost-effectiveness of neonatal surgery was previously limited.
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) treatment requires thorough economic evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the cost-effectiveness of neonatal surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
- To evaluate the long-term costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with CDH treatment.
Main Methods:
- Inclusion of all costs (healthcare and non-healthcare sectors, including productivity losses).
- Measurement of QALYs using the EuroQol EQ-5D questionnaire.
- Collection of disease-specific quality-of-life data.
- Life-time setting for cost and effect measurements.
Main Results:
- Average total treatment cost: €42,658, primarily initial hospitalization.
- Minor productivity losses reported for patients and caregivers.
- Despite persistent symptoms (respiratory, gastrointestinal), treated CDH patients report quality of life comparable to the general population.
- Treatment yields an average gain of 17.5 QALYs.
- Cost per QALY: €2,434.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal surgical treatment for CDH demonstrates favorable cost-effectiveness.
- Results provide strong evidence supporting the economic viability of CDH treatment.
- Findings are significant given the increasing emphasis on cost-effective healthcare programs.
Background/Purpose:
The cost-effectiveness of medical interventions is becoming an important issue for decision makers. Until recently, evidence of the cost-effectiveness of neonatal surgery was largely lacking. The authors analyzed the cost-effectiveness of neonatal surgery and subsequent treatment for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
Methods:
Both costs incurred inside and outside the health care sector (eg, out-of-pocket expenses and productivity losses) were included. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were measured using the EuroQol EQ-5D questionnaire. Descriptive quality-of-life data were collected using a disease-specific questionnaire. Both costs and effects basically were measured in a life-time setting.
Results:
Total costs of treatment average euro 42,658, mainly consisting of costs of the initial hospitalization. Productivity losses in both the patients and their caregivers appear to be minor. Treated CDH patients, even adults, suffer from respiratory difficulties and stomach aches. According to the EQ-5D, however, their quality of life does not differ from the general population, suggesting that these symptoms barely affect overall quality of life. Treatment results in a gain of 17.5 QALYs. Costs per QALY amount to euro 2,434.
Conclusions:
Treatment for CDH has favorable cost-effectiveness. Considering the growing importance of cost-effective medicine, these are important and encouraging results. Health economics outlines the inevitability of making choices that directly affect patient care and places relative values on different health care programs. The results of this study provide convincing evidence that treatment for CDH is indeed cost effective.