Conducting Economic Evaluations Alongside Randomised Trials: Current Methodological Issues and Novel Approaches

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Health Technology Assessment
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Trial-based economic evaluations are crucial for health technology assessment.
• Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) offer patient-level data for economic evaluations.
• Methodological challenges exist in collecting reliable economic data within trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the state-of-the-art in trial-based economic evaluations.
• To detail limitations of current approaches.
• To introduce novel methods for design, conduct, analysis, and reporting.

Main Methods:

• Review of selective elements in trial-based economic evaluations.
• Focus on design, conduct, analysis, and reporting.
• Identification and discussion of methodological challenges.

Main Results:

• RCTs are effective for generating economic data but face challenges.
• Challenges include data collection, outcome measures, missing data, and extrapolation.
• Novel methods are introduced to address limitations in existing approaches.

Conclusions:

• Addressing methodological challenges enhances the reliability of trial-based economic evaluations.
• Improved methods support better health technology assessment.
• The review provides internationally relevant insights with a UK focus.