scholarly journals The use of Quality-Adjusted Life Years in cost-effectiveness analyses in palliative care: Mapping the debate through an integrative review

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne B Wichmann ◽  
Eddy MM Adang ◽  
Peep FM Stalmeier ◽  
Sinta Kristanti ◽  
Lieve Van den Block ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Year ◽  
Integrative Review ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Years ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

Background: In cost-effectiveness analyses in healthcare, Quality-Adjusted Life Years are often used as outcome measure of effectiveness. However, there is an ongoing debate concerning the appropriateness of its use for decision-making in palliative care. Aim: To systematically map pros and cons of using the Quality-Adjusted Life Year to inform decisions on resource allocation among palliative care interventions, as brought forward in the debate, and to discuss the Quality-Adjusted Life Year’s value for palliative care. Design: The integrative review method of Whittemore and Knafl was followed. Theoretical arguments and empirical findings were mapped. Data sources: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL, in which MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms were Palliative Care, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Quality of Life, and Quality-Adjusted Life Years. Findings: Three themes regarding the pros and cons were identified: (1) restrictions in life years gained, (2) conceptualization of quality of life and its measurement, including suggestions to adapt this, and (3) valuation and additivity of time, referring to changing valuation of time. The debate is recognized in empirical studies, but alternatives not yet applied. Conclusion: The Quality-Adjusted Life Year might be more valuable for palliative care if specific issues are taken into account. Despite restrictions in life years gained, Quality-Adjusted Life Years can be achieved in palliative care. However, in measuring quality of life, we recommend to—in addition to the EQ-5D— make use of quality of life or capability instruments specifically for palliative care. Also, we suggest exploring the possibility of integrating valuation of time in a non-linear way in the Quality-Adjusted Life Year.

Utilities and Quality-Adjusted Life Years

1989 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
George W. Torrance ◽  
David Feeny
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cost Utility ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Years ◽  
Utility Analysis ◽  
Quality Adjustment ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life ◽  
Broad Overview

Utilities and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) are reviewed, with particular focus on their use in technology assessment. This article provides a broad overview and perspective on these two techniques and their interrelationship, with reference to other sources for details of implementation. The historical development, assumptions, strengths/weaknesses, and applications of each are summarized.Utilities are specifically designed for individual decision-making under uncertainty, but, with additional assumptions, utilities can be aggregated across individuals to provide a group utility function. QALYs are designed to aggregate in a single summary measure the total health improvement for a group of individuals, capturing improvements from impacts on both quantity of life and quality of life– with quality of life broadly defined. Utilities can be used as the quality-adjustment weights for QALYs; they are particularly appropriate for that purpose, and this combination provides a powerful and highly useful variation on cost-effectiveness analysis known as cost-utility analysis.

scholarly journals Cost-Effectiveness of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea in British Columbia

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
MCY Tan ◽  
NT Ayas ◽  
A Mulgrew ◽  
L Cortes ◽  
JM FitzGerald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
British Columbia ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Year ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Cpap Therapy ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea (OSAH) is a common disorder characterized by recurrent collapse of the upper airway during sleep. Patients experience a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which is the first-line therapy for OSAH, improves sleepiness, vigilance and quality of life.OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of CPAP therapy versus no treatment for OSAH patients who are drivers.METHODS: A Markov decision analytical model with a five-year time horizon was used. The study population consisted of male and female patients, between 30 and 59 years of age, who were newly diagnosed with moderate to severe OSAH. The model evaluated the cost-effectiveness of CPAP therapy in reducing rates of MVCs and improving quality of life. Utility values were obtained from previously published studies. Rates of MVCs under the CPAP and no CPAP scenarios were calculated from Insurance Corporation of British Columbia data and a systematic review of published studies. MVCs, equipment and physician costs were obtained from the British Columbia Medical Association, published cost-of-illness studies and the price lists of established vendors of CPAP equipment in British Columbia. Findings were examined from the perspectives of a third-party payer and society.RESULTS: From the third-party payer perspective, CPAP therapy was more effective but more costly than no CPAP (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio [ICER] of $3,626 per quality-adjusted life year). From the societal perspective, the ICER was similar ($2,979 per quality-adjusted life year). The ICER was most dependent on preference elicitation method used to obtain utility values, varying almost sixfold under alternative assumptions from the base-case analysis.CONCLUSION: After considering costs and impact on quality of life, as well as the risk of MVCs in individuals with OSAH, CPAP therapy for OSAH patients is a highly efficient use of health care resources. Provincial governments who do not provide funding for CPAP therapy should reconsider.

scholarly journals Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation of Etoricoxib versus Celecoxib and Nonselective NSAIDs in the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis in Norway

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen P. Jansen ◽  
Stephanie D. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Time Horizon ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Year ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Years ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Cost Effective Treatment ◽  
Ceiling Ratio ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

Objectives. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of etoricoxib (90 mg) relative to celecoxib (200/400 mg), and the nonselective NSAIDs naproxen (1000 mg) and diclofenac (150 mg) in the initial treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Norway.Methods. A previously developed Markov state-transition model was used to estimate costs and benefits associated with initiating treatment with the different competing NSAIDs. Efficacy, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular safety, and resource use data were obtained from the literature. Data from different studies were synthesized and translated into direct costs and quality adjusted life years by means of a Bayesian comprehensive decision modeling approach.Results. Over a 30-year time horizon, etoricoxib is associated with about 0.4 more quality adjusted life years than the other interventions. At 1 year, naproxen is the most cost-saving strategy. However, etoricoxib is cost and quality adjusted life year saving relative to celecoxib, as well as diclofenac and naproxen after 5 years of follow-up. For a willingness-to-pay ceiling ratio of 200,000 Norwegian krones per quality adjusted life year, there is a >95% probability that etoricoxib is the most-cost-effective treatment when a time horizon of 5 or more years is considered.Conclusions. Etoricoxib is the most cost-effective NSAID for initiating treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Norway.

Quality of life and quality-adjusted life years of chronic schistosomiasis mansoni patients in Brazil in 2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 238-244
Author(s):  
Gilmara Lima Nascimento ◽  
Ana Lúcia Coutinho Domingues ◽  
Ricardo Arraes de Alencar Ximenes ◽  
Alexander Itria ◽  
Luciane Nascimento Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Years ◽  
Schistosomiasis Mansoni ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

scholarly journals The Use of “Quality-Adjusted Life Years” (QALYs) to Evaluate Treatment in Intensive Care

1995 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Kerridge ◽  
P. P. Glasziou ◽  
K. M. Hillman
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Patient Outcome ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Pulmonary Oedema ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Years ◽  
Economic Justification ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

This study examines the feasibility of using Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) to assess patient outcome and the economic justification of treatment in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 248 patients were followed for three years after admission. Survival and quality of life for each patient was evaluated. Outcome for each patient was quantified in discounted Quality-Adjusted Life Years (dQALYs). The economic justification of treatment was evaluated by comparing the total and marginal cost per dQALY for this patient group with the published cost per QALY for other medical interventions. 150 patients were alive after three years. Quality of life for most longterm survivors was good. Patient outcome (QALYs) was greatest for asthma and trauma patients, and least for cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. The tentative estimated cost- effectiveness of treatment varied from AUD $297 per QALY for asthma to AUD $2323 per QALY for patients with pulmonary oedema. This compares favourably with many preventative and non-acute medical treatments. Although the methodology is developmental, the measurement of patient outcome using QALYs appears to be feasible in a general hospital ICU.

Comparative effectiveness of treatment options for pediatric craniopharyngiomas

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zarina S. Ali ◽  
Robert L. Bailey ◽  
Lawrence B. Daniels ◽  
Venus Vakhshori ◽  
Daniel J. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Years ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Subtotal Removal ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

Object No clear treatment guidelines for pediatric craniopharyngiomas exist. The authors developed a decision analytical model to evaluate outcomes of 4 surgical approaches for craniopharyngiomas in children, including attempted gross-total resection (GTR), planned subtotal removal plus radiotherapy, biopsy plus radiotherapy, and endoscopic resections of all kinds. Methods Pooled data, including the authors' own experience, were used to create evidence tables, from which incidence, relative risks, and summary outcomes in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated for the 4 management strategies. Results Quality-adjusted life years at the 5-year follow-up were 2.3 ± 0.1 for attempted GTR, 2.9 ± 0.2 for planned subtotal removal plus radiotherapy, 3.9 ± 0.2 for biopsy plus radiotherapy, and 3.7 ± 0.2 for endoscopic resection (F = 17,150, p < 0.001). Similarly, QALYs at 10-year follow-up were 4.5 ± 0.2 for attempted GTR, 5.7 ± 0.5 for planned subtotal removal plus radiotherapy, and 7.8 ± 0.5 for biopsy plus radiotherapy (F = 6,173, p < 0.001). On post hoc pairwise comparisons, the differences between all pairs compared were also highly significant (p < 0.001). Since follow-up data at 10 years are lacking for endoscopic cases, this category was excluded from 10-year comparisons. Conclusions Biopsy with subsequent radiotherapy is the preferred approach with respect to improved overall quality of life. While endoscopic approaches also show promise in preserving quality of life at five-year follow-up, there are not sufficient data to draw conclusions about this comparison at 10 years.

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