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Economic Evaluations of Hypertension Interventions in Pregnancy Lack Standardization: Results of a Systematic Review
Ling Jie Cheng1, Lucy Abel2, Svetlana Ratushnyak3
1Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK.
Objectives:
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including preeclampsia, pose lifelong health risks for women and infants. Although HDP interventions are increasingly evaluated for cost-effectiveness, methodological challenges and heterogeneity between studies exist. This systematic review examines how economic evaluations have been conducted, focusing on methodology, outcome measurement, perspectives, time horizons, and cost-effectiveness conclusions.
Methods:
Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, EconLit, and Web of Science from inception to December 31, 2024 for cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, cost-benefit, cost-consequence, and cost-minimization analyses of HDP interventions. Searching was updated on November 4, 2025. Data on costs, outcomes, and methodology were extracted. Reporting quality was evaluated using Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards 2022.
Results:
Thirty-five included studies covered interventions from prevention to management. One-third of cost-effectiveness and cost-utility studies reported only women's outcomes. Among those capturing maternal and infant outcomes, more than half estimated cost-effectiveness using outcomes for only 1 party. The remainder generated results for mothers and infants but using different approaches. Long-term maternal cardiovascular risks and infant outcomes were rarely extrapolated. Most studies adopted healthcare perspectives. Screening, prevention, and diagnostic interventions were frequently cost-effective, whereas evidence for treatment and management strategies was mixed. Most studies reported cost per preeclampsia case averted; fewer applied generic measures, limiting comparability.
Conclusions:
Economic evaluations of HDP interventions face methodological challenges, particularly in capturing joint maternal and infant impacts. Furthermore, future studies should use adequate time horizons, wider perspectives, and generic health outcomes to ensure that cost-effectiveness evidence captures the full value of HDP interventions and informs policies optimizing maternal and neonatal health.
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