scholarly journals P019 Audit of prostanoid use in severe Raynaud’s and adherence to treatment of digital ulcers in patients with SSc NHSE pathway: commissioning policy cost analysis and alternative therapeutic pathway proposed

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Young ◽  
Bridget Griffiths ◽  
Josephine Vila

Abstract Background/Aims  Severe Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) can lead to digital ulcers (DU), ischaemia, infection and gangrene. In 2015, NHS England published a commissioning policy enabling the use of bosentan for digital ulceration in SSc in patients refractory to intravenous 6-8 weekly prostanoid in combination with sildenafil following standard therapy (including calcium channel blockers (CCB), ACE inhibitors, losartan and fluoxetine). Bosentan is licensed to prevent new DUs in SSc. Specialist MDT ratification and Blueteq registration is required. RCTs showed bosentan reduced the formation of new DU by 30-50% in at risk individuals. It is a well-tolerated drug. It is now off-patent so its cost has reduced from £22,000 to £650 per year. Aim  To audit current departmental practice in patients receiving prostanoid (epoprostenol) for severe RP from any cause and check adherence to the patient pathway for treatment escalation prior to prostanoid therapy. To determine approximate costs of alternative therapeutic approaches. Methods  We retrospectively audited patients attending our day unit for epoprostenol infusions over a 12-month period between 2018 and 2019. Using our centre’s admissions database and electronic patient records, we identified which oral medications patients were currently co-prescribed or had previously trialled. Using pharmacy data and tariff costings, we calculated the cost of epoprostenol infusions and oral medications with blood monitoring. Results  Between 2018 and 2019, 73 patients attended for epoprostenol infusions: 31 SSc, 25 RP, 17 other diagnoses (mixed/undifferentiated CTD, SLE, vasculitis). The mean number of epoprostenol infusions per patient per year was 5.92 days (range 1-25). The percentage of patients who had first been trialled on the following medications include: CCB 77.4%, ACEi/ARB 41.1%, fluoxetine 9.59%, sildenafil 87.1% and tadalafil 25.8%. In the SSc group 22.6% had also trialled bosentan. Only 2 SSc patients (6.45%) had trialled all of the drugs on the pathway prior to prostanoid reflecting the relative lack of efficacy of some first line therapies. The departmental tariff per prostanoid infusion is £450, resulting in an estimated average annual cost of £2700 per patient. The annual cost of supplying bosentan 125mg twice daily plus blood monitoring for the first year is approximately £1350. Conclusion  Epoprostenol is used in our unit for patients with severe RP from a range of conditions. Sildenafil and CCB have been trialled in the majority of our patients prior to escalation. Only a minority of patients have received bosentan according to current guidelines and licensing. Given the reduction in cost, combined with the importance of avoiding hospital admissions with COVID-19, we would suggest that bosentan could be used earlier in the treatment pathway for a broader range of indications. NHSE is revising the SSc commissioning policy. Disclosure  A. Young: None. B. Griffiths: None. J. Vila: None.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azarisman SMS ◽  
Aszrin A ◽  
Sahimi M ◽  
Ngow HA ◽  
Marzuki AO ◽  
...  

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Malaysia. The prevalence of hypertension nearly doubled over a ten-year period (1986 – 1996). This has resulted in a significant rise in its attendant cost. We aim to review the institutional anti-hypertensive use, the cost incurred and the implications on management in our local setting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the annual cost (2006) of anti-hypertensive medications was undertaken at the Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, a 600-bed major regional hospital on the east-coast of Malaysia. The total number of prescriptions given out and the total cost per drug is then factored to give the annual cost per drug per person in a percentage of the total annual expenditure.Results: The majority of patients were on either 2 (46.5%) or 3 (25.9%) anti-hypertensives. The most frequently prescribed medications were ACE Inhibitors (33.45%), Calcium channel blockers (29.63%), diuretics (16.67%) and β-blockers (13.64%). In terms of cost however, the Calcium channel blockers constituted the greatest percentage of the annual anti-hypertensive budget (63.67%) compared to ACE Inhibitors at just 20.04% of the annual expenditure. The least costly group of drugs is the diuretic making up 16.67% of the total annual prescriptions but only constituting 1.23% of the annual cost. Conclusion: The majority of patients were on ACE Inhibitors and/or Calcium channel blockers. This has huge monetary implications as they represent a large proportion of the annual antihypertensive allocation. There may be a need to reverse the trend in the developing world due to cost restrictions.


1969 ◽  
Vol 6 (02) ◽  
pp. 134-146
Author(s):  
J. B. Woodward

The average annual cost of obtaining fresh water for boiler feed and domestic use by distillation from the sea is calculated for two distinct types of merchant ship, and compared to the cost of carrying purchased shore water for these uses. Results are presented as annual cost differences between the alternatives as functions of voyage length, with other significant factors as parameters. These results confirm the general belief that distillation is to be preferred, even if shore water did not typically require redistillation before use. Circumstances in which shore water might nonetheless be an attractive alternative are pointed out.


1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 419-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Whetten-Goldstein ◽  
Frank A Sloan ◽  
Larry B Goldstein ◽  
Elizabeth D Kulas

Comprehensive data on the costs of multiple sclerosis is sparse. We conducted a survey of 606 persons with MS who were members of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to obtain data on their cost of personal health services, other services, equipment, and earnings. Compensation of such cost in the form of health insurance, income support, and other subsidies was measured. Survey data and data from several secondary sources was used to measure costs incurred by comparable persons without MS. Based on the 1994 data, the annual cost of MS was estimated at over $34 000 per person, translating into a conservative estimate of national annual cost of $6.8 billion, and a total lifetime cost per case of $2.2 million. Major components of cost were earnings loss and informal care. Virtually all persons with MS had health insurance, mostly Medicare/Medicaid. Health insurance covered 51 per cent of costs for services, excluding informal care. On average, compensation for earnings loss was 27 per cent. MS is very costly to the individual, health care system, and society. Much of the cost (57 per cent) is in the form of burdens other than personal health care, including earnings loss, equipment and alternations, and formal and informal care. These costs often are not calculated.


Author(s):  
Scott L Charland ◽  
Barnabie C Agatep ◽  
Daniel C Malone ◽  
Eric J Stanek

OBJECTIVES: Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) genotype has been shown to affect cardiovascular (CV) outcomes for clopidogrel but not prasugrel. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of CYP2C19-guided vs. routine antiplatelet therapy in ACS patients. METHODS: We constructed a literature-based, decision analytic, Markov model (TreeAge 2009) to estimate the cost-effectiveness of CYP2C19-guided aspirin plus either clopidogrel or prasugrel therapy vs. no genotyping. Post-initial ACS CV events were based on the TRITON-TIMI 38 study and related costs were derived primarily using 2007 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project DRGs for nonfatal MI and stroke, CV death, intracranial hemorrhage, other life-threatening bleed, and minor bleed. Additional costs and disease-state utilities were obtained from other published sources. All costs were adjusted to 2009 $US using the Consumer Price Index medical care component. The model allowed for clopidogrel/prasugrel discontinuation and aspirin monotherapy. Model sensitivity was assessed using 1-way and multi-way analysis of influential parameters. RESULTS: The base case model demonstrated that CYP2C19 genotype guided antiplatelet therapy yielded lower overall annual cost and greater efficacy vs. no genotyping ( Table ). The model was sensitive to (in declining order): clopidogrel cost/day ($1 to $5.78), prasugrel cost/day ($4.09 to $ 6.81), % CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers on clopidogrel (60% to 100%), CYP2C19 test cost ($60 to $250), and monthly CV event management cost. A threshold value for clopidogrel at <$2.14/day favored the no genotyping strategy. However, the genotyping strategy was dominant when clopidogrel cost =$1/day and a CYP2C19 test cost threshold of <$125 on 2-way analysis. CONCLUSIONS: CYP2C19 genotype-guided clopidogrel or prasugrel therapy is cost-effective for up to 1 year in ACS patients, and can remain a preferred strategy at a hypothetical generic clopidogrel cost of $1.00/day. Table Strategy1 Annual Cost Incremental Cost Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) Incremental QALY Cost/QALY Incremental Cost Effectiveness (ICER) CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided $ 3,211 0.7212 $ 4,452 No Gentoyping $ 3,331 $120 0.6767 - (0.0445) $ 4,921 (Dominated) 1Base case values:Drug wholesale acquisition cost/day: clopidogrel $4.62, prasugrel $5.45; Baseline post-ACS utility = 0.83; Monthly cost for post-CV event management = $351; CYP2C19 genotyping =$185; After genotyping: 80% of extensive metabolizers, 20% of intermediate metabolizers and 10% of poor metabolizers on clopidogrel; 80% on clopidogrel without genotyping; Willingness to pay = $200


2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alen Brkic ◽  
Andreas P. Diamantopoulos ◽  
Espen Andre Haavardsholm ◽  
Bjørg Tilde Svanes Fevang ◽  
Lene Kristin Brekke ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In Norway, an annual tender system for the prescription of biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) has been used since 2007. This study aimed to explore annual b/tsDMARDs costs and disease outcomes in Norwegian rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients between 2010 and 2019 under the influence of the tender system. Methods RA patients monitored in ordinary clinical practice were recruited from 10 Norwegian centers. Data files from each center for each year were collected to explore demographics, disease outcomes, and the prescribed treatment. The cost of b/tsDMARDs was calculated based on the drug price given in the annual tender process. Results The number of registered RA patients increased from 4909 in 2010 to 9335 in 2019. The percentage of patients receiving a b/tsDMARD was 39% in 2010 and 45% in 2019. The proportion of b/tsDMARDs treated patients achieving DAS28 remission increased from 42 to 67%. The estimated mean annual cost to treat a patient on b/tsDMARDs fell by 47%, from 13.1 thousand euros (EUR) in 2010 to 6.9 thousand EUR in 2019. The mean annual cost to treat b/tsDMARDs naïve patients was reduced by 75% (13.0 thousand EUR in 2010 and 3.2 thousand EUR in 2019). Conclusions In the period 2010–2019, b/tsDMARD treatment costs for Norwegian RA patients were significantly reduced, whereas DAS28 remission rates increased. Our data may indicate that the health authorities’ intention to reduce treatment costs by implementing a tender system has been successful.


Circulation ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 133 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyank P Shah ◽  
Fayez Shamoon ◽  
Mahesh Bikkina ◽  
Harold Kohl

Objective: Type 2 diabetes has grown to epidemic proportions in the U.S. and physical activity levels in the population continues to remain low, although it is a major primary preventive strategy for diabetes. The objectives of this study were to estimate the direct medical costs of type 2 diabetes attributable to not meeting physical activity Guidelines and to physical inactivity in the U.S. in 2012. Methods: This was a cross sectional study that used physical activity prevalence data from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Estimates of relative risk of type 2 diabetes for subjects not engaging in any leisure time physical activity and those not meeting physical activity guidelines were obtained for multiple studies published in the literature. Using the prevalence of not meeting physical activity guidelines, physical inactivity and the respective relative risks, the population attributable risk percentage (PAR%) for type 2 diabetes was estimated by Levin’s formula. These data were combined with the prevalence and cost data of type 2 diabetes (in 2012) to estimate the cost of type 2 diabetes attributable to not meeting physical activity Guidelines, and to physical inactivity in 2012. Sensitivity analyses were done for i) varying the prevalence of not meeting physical activity guidelines from 30-70%, and ii) varying the average annual cost of type 2 diabetes from $4394 (for person less than 45 years of age) to $11825 (for person greater than 65 years of age). Results: The prevalence of U.S. population meeting physical activity guidelines and engaging in no leisure time activity was 50% and 30% respectively in 2012. The average annual cost attributable to type 2 diabetes in the US, was $7888 per person. The cost of type 2 diabetes in the U.S. in 2012, attributable to not meeting physical activity guidelines was estimated to be $18.6 billion, and that attributable to physical inactivity was estimated to be $5.9 billion. Based on sensitivity analyses, these estimates ranged from $10.36 billion to $27.9 billion for not meeting physical activity guidelines and $3.3 billion to $8.87 billion for physical inactivity in the year 2012. Conclusions: This study shows that billions of dollars could be saved annually just in terms of type 2 diabetes cost in the U.S., if the entire adult population was active enough to meet physical activity guidelines. Physical activity promotion, particularly at the environmental and policy level should be a priority in the population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan-Gerd Rademacher ◽  
Chris Wincup ◽  
Björn Tampe ◽  
Peter Korsten

Background: Systemic sclerosis is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by skin and organ fibrosis, and vasculopathy. Raynaud’s phenomenon is almost universally present in systemic sclerosis and can be the most debilitating symptom. Raynaud’s phenomenon may lead to the development of digital ulcers, potentially complicated by infection, tissue necrosis, and auto-amputation. Recommended treatments have variable efficacy. Methods: We report the case of a 30-year-old woman with diffuse systemic sclerosis suffering from severe Raynaud’s phenomenon and digital ulcers with digital tissue necrosis who was treated with combination therapy of an endothelin receptor antagonist and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor. In addition, we reviewed the literature on the topic. Results: Previous therapy with calcium-channel blockers, intravenous iloprost, and bosentan had all failed to control symptoms. We added sildenafil in combination with bosentan and observed a rapid and sustained treatment effect. Raynaud’s phenomenon severity, number of attacks, and attack duration decreased within 2 weeks of initiating treatment. Furthermore, this resulted in the healing of established digital ulcers. Conclusion: Our case report suggests that combination therapy may be a feasible treatment for the most severely affected and refractory patients. In our literature review, we found one retrospective study and three additional cases with similarly encouraging results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Morrisroe ◽  
Wendy Stevens ◽  
Joanne Sahhar ◽  
Gene-Siew Ngian ◽  
Nava Ferdowsi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of systemic sclerosis-related digital ulcers, and associated direct health care costs, quality of life, and survival. Methods Digital ulcers (DUs) were defined as an area with a visually discernible depth and a loss of continuity of epithelial coverage. DU severity was calculated based on the physician reported highest number of new DUs at clinical review (mild = 1–5 DUs, moderate 6–10 DUs, severe > 10 DUs). Healthcare use was captured through data linkage, wherein SSc clinical data captured prospectively in a dedicated clinical database were linked with health services databases to capture hospital admissions, emergency department (ED) presentations and ambulatory care (MBS) utilization and cost for the period 2008–2015. Healthcare cost determinants were estimated using logistic regression. Results Among 1085 SSc patients, 48.6% experienced a DU over a mean follow-up of 5.2 ± 2.5 years. Those who developed DUs were more likely to have diffuse disease subtype (34.9% vs 18.2%, p < 0.001), anti-Scl-70 antibody (18.9% vs 9.3%, p < 0.001), and a younger age at SSc onset (43.6 ± 13.9 vs 48.8 ± 14.0 years, p < 0.001) in addition to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured by the SF-36 but without a significant impact on survival. SSc patients with a history of a DU utilized significantly more healthcare resources per annum than those without a DU, including hospitalizations, ED presentation, and ambulatory care services. Total healthcare services, excluding medications, were associated with an annual excess cost per DU patient of AUD$12,474 (8574-25,677), p < 0.001, driven by hospital admission and ED presentation costs. Conclusion DUs place a large burden on the patient and healthcare system through reduced HRQoL and increased healthcare resource utilization and associated cost.


Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Spray ◽  
Josephine Vila ◽  
Bridget Griffiths

Abstract Background Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are at risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a subtype of pulmonary hypertension (PH) which is not due to left-heart disease, chronic hypoxia or pulmonary arterial thrombus. The European Society of Cardiology recommends annual screening of patients with SSc due to the insidious presentation of PAH, poor outcomes, and the availability of effective treatments. Transthoracic echocardiography is the standard screening investigation, but NT pro-BNP, a biochemical marker of ventricular stretch, may be a cost-effective initial test with echocardiography reserved for patients with new or worsening symptoms or increasing NT pro-BNP. Our centre introduced NT pro-BNP as an adjunct to echocardiography in 2014. Methods We audited our SSc-PAH screening programme from 2009-2018 against the standard that every SSc patient should be screened annually with echocardiography or NT pro-BNP. Patients seen by the regional PH service prior to the first rheumatology clinic were excluded. We used our centre’s database of SSc patients and electronic patient records to determine if a patient had undergone PH screening. We calculated cost estimates from our hospital’s biochemistry and echocardiography departments. Results From 2009 to 2018, the number of SSc patients requiring annual screening rose from 81 to 215. In 2009, 65% of patients were screened - all with echocardiography. In 2018, 88% of patients were screened - 25% had an echocardiogram and 83% had a NT pro-BNP. 63% of patients were screened only through NT pro-BNP. Across the 1476 patient-years studied, only 6 new cases of PH were identified. PH was secondary to ILD in two cases, and true PAH in three cases (one patient refused diagnostic right-heart catheterisation). All three PAH diagnoses came from echocardiograms requested for worsening dyspnoea, so are not attributable to the screening programme. On 31 December 2018, 55% of these patients were taking phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) for severe Raynaud’s phenomenon (50% on sildenafil and 5% on tadalafil). 4% of patients were prescribed bosentan and 3% of patients were prescribed dual therapy with a PDE5i and bosentan. This may explain our centre’s low incidence of PAH. The annual cost of screening per patient has dropped from £82 in 2014 to £59 in 2018, and the total annual cost has plateaued since 2014, despite rising patient numbers and improved screening rates. Conclusion Since introducing NT pro-BNP alongside echocardiography as a screening tool for PAH in SSc patients, we spend less on our screening programme per patient and achieve higher screening rates. However, in 10 years, our screening programme has not detected any asymptomatic cases of PAH, raising questions about the necessity of screening asymptomatic SSc patients. Widespread PDE-5i use may contribute to the low incidence of PAH in our cohort. Disclosures L. Spray None. J. Vila None. B. Griffiths None.


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