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Cost-Effectiveness of Preoperative Topical Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Endophthalmitis Following Cataract Surgery
Tina Felfeli1, Rafael N Miranda2, Jeeventh Kaur3
1From the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto (T.F., C.C.C.); Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto (T.F., R.N.M., D.M.J.N.); Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative, University Health Network (T.F., R.N.M., D.M.J.N.).
Purpose:
To determine the cost-effectiveness of preoperative topical antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.
Design:
Cost-effectiveness analysis using a decision-analytic microsimulation model.
Methods:
Preoperative topical antibiotic prophylaxis vs no-prophylaxis costs and effects were projected over a life-time horizon for a simulated cohort of 500 000 adult patients (≥18 years old) requiring cataract surgery in theoretical surgical centers in the United States. Efficacy and cost (2021 US dollars) values were obtained from the literature and discounted at 3% per year.
Results:
Based on inputted parameters, the mean incidence of endophthalmitis following cataract surgery for preoperative topical antibiotic prophylaxis vs no-prophylaxis was 0.034% (95% CI 0%-0.2%) and 0.042% (95% CI 0%-0.3%), respectively-an absolute risk reduction of 0.008%. The mean life-time costs for cataract surgery with prophylaxis and no-prophylaxis were $2486.67 (95% CI $2193.61-$2802.44) and $2409.03 (95% CI $2129.94-$2706.69), respectively. The quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) associated with prophylaxis and no-prophylaxis were 10.33495 (95% CI 7.81629-12.38158) and 10.33498 (95% CI 7.81284-12.38316), respectively. Assuming a cost-effectiveness criterion of ≤$50 000 per QALY gained, the threshold analyses indicated that prophylaxis would be cost-effective if the incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery was greater than 5.5% or if the price of the preoperative topical antibiotic prophylaxis was less than $0.75.
Conclusions:
General use of preoperative topical antibiotic prophylaxis is not cost-effective compared with no-prophylaxis for the prevention of endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. Preoperative topical antibiotic prophylaxis, however, would be cost-effective at a higher incidence of endophthalmitis and/or a substantially lower price for prophylaxis.
