Treatment Options for Cow's Milk Protein Allergy: A Modeling Analysis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Health Economics
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a prevalent condition in early childhood.
• Effective management strategies are crucial for both clinical outcomes and healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical and economic outcomes of amino-acid formula (AAF) versus extensively hydrolyzed formula (eHF) for CMPA treatment.
• To evaluate these outcomes from a payer's perspective within the Turkish healthcare system.

Main Methods:

• A theoretical model was developed to assess formula tolerability, allergic reactions, palatability-related withdrawals, and direct medical costs.
• Data from Turkey and existing literature were utilized for the analysis.

Main Results:

• An estimated 13,000 children in Turkey are diagnosed with CMPA annually.
• AAF demonstrated higher tolerability (83.7%) compared to eHF (48.7%) by 24 months.
• While total costs for AAF were higher (€20.6 million vs €12.3 million), the average cost per tolerating child was slightly lower with AAF (€1895 vs €1940).

Conclusions:

• CMPA management presents a significant economic burden in Turkey.
• AAF treatment appears to offer superior clinical outcomes, including better tolerability and fewer taste-related issues.
• Considering Turkey-specific factors, AAF emerges as a potentially more beneficial treatment option for CMPA.