Cost-utility analysis on telemonitoring of users with pacemakers: The PONIENTE study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Health Economics
• Digital Health

Background:

• Limited studies confirm cost-savings of telemonitoring (TM) for pacemaker (PM) users.
• Conventional follow-up involves regular hospital visits for PM management.
• Economic assessments are crucial for evaluating new healthcare technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the cost-utility of telemonitoring (TM) versus conventional hospital follow-up for pacemaker (PM) users.
• To determine if TM offers a cost-effective alternative for PM patient care.
• To evaluate the economic impact from both the National Health Service (NHS) and patient perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A controlled, non-randomised clinical trial involving 82 patients with internet-based transmission PMs.
• Patients were divided into two groups: conventional follow-up (n=52) and telemonitoring (TM) (n=30).
• Data collected over 12 months, including cost-utility analysis based on Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs).

Main Results:

• TM group showed significant cost-savings for both NHS and patients.
• TM reduced in-office visits by 52.49% and healthcare costs by 57.64% for the NHS.
• Patients in the TM group gained 0.09 QALYs with lower personal costs compared to conventional follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Telemonitoring (TM) is a significant cost-effective alternative to conventional hospital follow-up for pacemaker (PM) users.
• The PONIENTE study demonstrates the economic benefits of remote patient monitoring.
• TM improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare expenditure.