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Treating Bowen's disease: a cost-minimization study
1Department of Dermatology, Southern General Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, UK. davana@doctors.org.uk
The British Journal of Dermatology
|June 28, 2003
Summary
For Bowen's disease treatment, curettage or excision biopsy under local anesthetic is the most cost-effective option for the National Health Service. Photodynamic therapy represents the highest cost modality.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Health Economics
- Oncology
Background:
- Justifying treatment costs in dermatology is crucial, especially when less expensive alternatives are available.
- Bowen's disease management requires careful consideration of economic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most cost-effective treatment for Bowen's disease within the National Health Service.
- To compare the economic impact of six common Bowen's disease treatment modalities.
Main Methods:
- A cost-minimization analysis compared cryotherapy, curettage and cautery, excision, laser ablation, photodynamic therapy, and 5-fluorouracil for Bowen's disease.
- Data were sourced from literature reviews, average wholesale prices, staff salaries, and health economics departments.
Main Results:
- Curettage or excision biopsy under local anesthetic is the least expensive treatment for a single Bowen's disease lesion.
- Photodynamic therapy emerged as the most costly treatment option.
Conclusions:
- Cost-effectiveness studies, alongside efficacy and safety data, are vital for guiding National Health Service resource allocation.
- Informed treatment decisions for Bowen's disease can be supported by economic evaluations.