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Cost-effectiveness of Maintaining Daily Intake of Oat β-Glucan for Coronary Heart Disease Primary Prevention
Stephanie R Earnshaw1, Cheryl L McDade1, YiFang Chu2
1RTI Health Solutions, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
Insights
Daily oat beta-glucan intake is cost-effective for preventing coronary heart disease (CHD) events in men at increased risk. This dietary approach may significantly reduce myocardial infarction and CHD deaths, offering a valuable primary prevention strategy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Nutritional Science
- Health Economics
Background:
- Oat beta-glucan is known to reduce cholesterol and lower coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.
- The economic impact of oat beta-glucan for primary CHD prevention requires further investigation.
- Understanding cost-effectiveness is crucial for public health recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the economic impact of daily oat beta-glucan intake (≥3 g) for primary prevention of CHD.
- To compare the costs and outcomes of different cholesterol-lowering strategies.
- To assess the cost-effectiveness in men on statins versus those with no pharmacologic treatment.
Main Methods:
- A decision model was developed to compare costs and outcomes.
- The study population included men aged 45, 55, and 65 with varying 10-year CHD risks.
- Data on clinical efficacy, safety, costs, and utilities were sourced from published literature and meta-analyses.
Main Results:
- Daily intake of ≥3 g of oat beta-glucan was found to be cost-effective for men across different age groups and CHD risk levels.
- This dietary intervention was effective for both those on statins and those not receiving pharmacologic treatment.
- Results were most sensitive to the cost of oat beta-glucan, but remained robust.
Conclusions:
- Oat beta-glucan supplementation is a potentially cost-effective strategy for primary CHD prevention in middle-aged men with a 10-year CHD risk of 5% or higher.
- Consistent daily intake of oat beta-glucan can significantly impact the reduction of initial CHD events.
- This highlights the economic value of dietary interventions in cardiovascular disease prevention.
Purpose:
Oat β-glucan reduces cholesterol levels and thus reduces the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). However, its economic impact has not been well studied. We examined the economic impact of daily intake of ≥3 g of oat β-glucan in primary prevention of CHD in patients receiving statins or no pharmacologic treatment.
Methods:
A decision model was developed to compare costs and outcomes associated with lowering cholesterol levels with no pharmacologic treatment and normal diet, no pharmacologic treatment plus ≥3 g/d of oat β-glucan, and statin therapy plus ≥3 g/d of oat β-glucan. The population comprised men 45, 55, or 65 years of age with no history of cardiovascular disease and a 10-year risk for CHD of 5%, 7.5%, or 10%. Clinical efficacy data were gathered from meta-analyses; safety data, costs, and utilities were gathered from published literature. Cost per quality-adjusted life years and number of first events were reported.
Findings:
Maintaining ≥3 g/d of β-glucan may be cost-effective in men aged 45, 55, and 65 years with 10-year CHD risks of 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% taking no pharmacologic treatment or on statins. It may also reduce first events of myocardial infarction and CHD death. Results are sensitive to oat β-glucan cost but insensitive to changes in other parameters. Maintaining ≥3 g of oat β-glucan daily remains cost-effective within plausible range of values.
Implications:
β-glucan may be cost-effective for preventing CHD events in middle-aged men with no history of cardiovascular events whose 10-year CHD risk is ≥5%. Maintaining daily β-glucan intake may have considerable impact on first events.
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