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Seasonal influenza significantly affects both health and economic costs in children and adults. This narrative review summarizes published cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) of cell-based influenza vaccines in children and adults <65 years of age, critically assesses the assumptions and approaches used in these analyses, and considers the role of cell-based influenza vaccines for children and adults. CEAs from multiple countries demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVc) compared with egg-based trivalent/quadrivalent influenza vaccines (TIVe/QIVe). CEA findings were consistent across models relying on different relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) estimate inputs, with the rVE of QIVc versus QIVe ranging from 8.1% to 36.2% in favor of QIVc. Across multiple scenarios and types of analyses, QIVc was consistently cost-effective compared with QIVe, including in children and adults across different regions of the world.

Background: This analysis compares the cost-effectiveness of a cell-based influenza vaccine to a recombinant influenza vaccine, and each to no vaccination. The analysis is based on United States (US) commercial and societal perspectives., Methods: A Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) transmission model of the total US population followed with a cost-effectiveness model for 18-64-year-olds was used to estimate the clinical and economic impact of vaccination over one influenza season (2018-2019). Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted., Results: Both enhanced vaccines prevented a substantial number of influenza cases and influenza-related deaths compared to no vaccination. The cell-based vaccine was associated with higher quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained compared to the recombinant vaccine or no vaccination. The cell-based vaccine had a 36% lower vaccination cost, amounting to $2.8 billion in cost savings, compared to the recombinant vaccine. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for the cell-based vaccine, compared to the recombinant vaccine or no vaccination, were dominant from all payer perspectives, regardless of risk groups., Conclusions: Overall, the cell-based vaccine was cost-saving compared to the recombinant vaccine for subjects aged 18-64 years in the US, achieving comparable health outcomes with a significant reduction in associated costs.

Background : Self-amplifying mRNA vaccines have the potential to increase the magnitude and duration of protection against COVID-19 by boosting neutralizing antibody titers and cellular responses. Methods : In this study, we used the immunogenicity data from a phase 3 randomized trial comparing the immunogenicity of ARCT-154, a self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, with BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to estimate the relative vaccine efficacy (rVE) of the two vaccines over time in younger (<60 years) and older (≥60 years) adults. Results : By day 181 post-vaccination, the rVE against symptomatic and severe Wuhan-Hu-1 disease was 9.2-11.0% and 1.2-1.5%, respectively, across age groups whereas the rVE against symptomatic and severe Omicron BA.4/5 disease was 26.8-48.0% and 5.2-9.3%, respectively, across age groups. Sensitivity analysis showed that varying the threshold titer for 50% protection against severe disease up to 10% of convalescent sera revealed incremental benefits of ARCT-154 over BNT162b2, with an rVE of up to 28.0% against Omicron BA.4/5 in adults aged ≥60 year. Conclusions : Overall, the results of this study indicate that ARCT-154 elicits broader and more durable immunogenicity against SARS-CoV-2, translating to enhanced disease protection, particularly for older adults against Omicron BA.4/5.

Background: In France, influenza accounts for an average of over one million consultations with GPs, 20,000 hospitalizations, and 9000 deaths per year, particularly among the over-65s. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine (aQIV) compared to standard (SD-QIV) and high-dose (HD-QIV) quadrivalent influenza vaccines for individuals aged 65 and older in France., Methods: The age-structured SEIR transmission model, calibrated to simulate a mean influenza season, incorporates a contact matrix to estimate intergroup contact rates. Epidemiological, economic, and utility outcomes are evaluated. Vaccine effectiveness and costs are derived from literature and national insurance data. Quality of life adjustments for influenza attack rates and hospitalizations are applied. Deterministic and probabilistic analyses are also conducted., Results: Compared to SD-QIV, aQIV demonstrates substantial reductions in healthcare utilization and mortality, avoiding 89,485 GP consultations, 2144 hospitalizations, and preventing 1611 deaths. Despite an investment of EUR 110 million, aQIV yields a net saving of EUR 14 million in healthcare spending. Compared to HD-QIV, aQIV saves 62 million euros on vaccination costs. Cost-effectiveness analysis reveals an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of EUR 7062 per QALY., Conclusions: This study highlights the cost-effectiveness of aQIV versus SD-QIV and HD-QIV, preventing influenza cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Background: Cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVc) can increase effectiveness against seasonal influenza by avoiding mismatch from egg adaption of vaccine viruses. This study evaluates the population-level cost-effectiveness and impacts on health outcomes of QIVc versus an egg-based vaccine (QIVe) in children aged 6 months to 17 years in the US., Research Design and Methods: A dynamic age-structured susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered model was used to simulate influenza transmission in low and high incidence seasons for two scenarios: 1. QIVe for 6 months-17 year-olds, QIVc for 18-64 year-olds, and adjuvanted QIV (aQIV) for ≥ 65 year-olds, and 2. QIVc for 6 months-64 year-olds, and aQIV for ≥ 65 year-olds. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to account for uncertainty in parameter estimates. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs)., Results: Extension of QIVc to children resulted in 3-4% reductions in cases (1,656,271), hospitalizations (16,688), and deaths (2,126) at a population level in a high incidence season, and 65% reductions (cases: 2,856,384; hospitalizations: 31667; deaths: 4,163) in a low incidence season. Use of QIVc would be cost-saving, with ICERs of -$16,427/QALY and -$8,100/QALY from a payer perspective and -$22,669/QALY and -$15,015/QALY from a societal perspective, for low and high incidence seasons respectively. Cost savings were estimated at approximately $468 million and $1.366 billion for high and low incidence seasons, respectively., Conclusion: Use of QIVc instead of QIVe in children > 6 months of age in the US would reduce the disease burden and be cost-saving from both a payer and societal perspective.

Co-circulation of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to place considerable strain on health-care services. We estimate the cost-effectiveness and health-care resource utilization impacts of influenza vaccination of low-risk 50-64-y-olds in the United Kingdom (UK) against a background SARS-CoV-2 circulation. A dynamic susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered model was used to simulate influenza transmission, with varying rates of vaccine coverage in the low-risk 50-64 y age-group. Four scenarios were evaluated: no vaccination (baseline), 40%, 50%, and 60% coverage. For the 50% and 60% coverage, this rate was also applied to high-risk 50-64-y-olds, whereas 48.6% was used for the baseline and 40% coverage scenarios. Cost-effectiveness was estimated in terms of humanistic outcomes and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), with discounting applied at 3%. Overall, influenza vaccination of 50-64-y-olds resulted in reductions in GP visits, hospitalizations, and deaths, with a reduction in influenza-related mortality of 34%, 41%, and 52% for 40%, 50%, and 60% coverage, respectively. All four scenarios resulted in acute and intensive care unit (ICU) bed occupancy levels above available capacity, although vaccination of low-risk 50-64-y-olds resulted in a 35-54% and 16-25% decrease in excess acute and ICU bed requirements, respectively. Vaccination of this group against influenza was highly cost-effective from the payer perspective, with ICERs of £2,200-£2,343/quality-adjusted life year across the coverage rates evaluated. In conclusion, in the UK, vaccination of low-risk 50-64-y-olds against influenza is cost-effective and can aid in alleviating bed shortages in a situation where influenza and SARS-CoV-2 are co-circulating.

Cell-based manufacturing of seasonal influenza vaccines eliminates the risk of egg-adaptation of candidate vaccine viruses, potentially increasing vaccine effectiveness (VE). We present an overview of published data reporting the VE and cost-effectiveness of a cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc) in preventing influenza-related outcomes in the pediatric population. We identified 16 clinical studies that included data on the VE of a QIVc or the relative VE (rVE) of a QIVc versus an egg-based QIV (QIVe) in children and/or adolescents, 11 of which presented estimates specifically for the pediatric age group. Of these, two studies reported rVE against hospitalizations. Point estimates of rVE varied from 2.1% to 33.0%, with studies reporting significant benefits of using a QIVc against influenza-related, pneumonia, asthma, and all-cause hospitalization. Four studies reported rVE against influenza-related medical encounters, with point estimates against non-strain specific encounters ranging from 3.9% to 18.8% across seasons. One study evaluated rVE against any influenza, with variable results by strain. The other four studies presented VE data against laboratory-confirmed influenza. Three health economics studies focusing on a pediatric population also found the use of QIVc to be cost-effective or cost-saving. Overall, using a QIVc is effective in pediatric patients, with evidence of incremental benefits over using a QIVe in preventing hospitalizations and influenza-related medical encounters in nearly all published studies.

Influenza can exacerbate underlying medical conditions. In this study, we modelled the potential impact of an egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVe) or adjuvanted QIV (aQIV) on hospitalizations and mortality from influenza-related cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory, and other complications in adults ≥65 years of age in the US with underlying chronic conditions. We used a stochastic decision-tree model, with 1000 simulations varying input across predicted ranges. Due to the variable nature of influenza across seasons and differences in published estimates for input parameters, data are presented as 95% confidence intervals. Compared with no vaccination, use of aQIV would prevent 135,450-564,360 hospitalizations and 1612-29,226 deaths across outcomes evaluated. Overall, aQIV prevented 1071-18,388 more hospitalizations and 85-1944 more deaths than QIVe. By routine seasonal vaccination against influenza, a substantial number of severe influenza-associated complications and deaths, caused by direct influenza symptoms or by exacerbation of chronic conditions, can be prevented in high-risk adults ≥65 years of age in the US.

Background: Enhanced vaccines (e.g., containing adjuvants) have shown increased immunogenicity and effectiveness in older adults, who often respond sub-optimally to conventional influenza vaccines. In this study, we evaluated the cost-effectiveness of an inactivated, seasonal, MF59-adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine (aQIV) for use in adults ≥ 65 years in Ireland., Methods: A published dynamic influenza model incorporating social contact, population immunity, and epidemiological data was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of aQIV in adults ≥ 65 years of age compared with a non-adjuvanted QIV. Sensitivity analysis was performed for influenza incidence, relative vaccine effectiveness, excess mortality, and the impact on bed occupancy from co-circulating influenza and COVID-19., Results: The use of aQIV resulted in discounted incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of EUR 2420/quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and EUR 12,970/QALY from societal and payer perspectives, respectively, both of which are below the cost-effectiveness threshold of EUR 45,000/QALY. Sensitivity analysis showed that aQIV was effective in most scenarios, except when relative vaccine effectiveness compared to QIV was below 3%, and resulted in a modest reduction in excess bed occupancy., Conclusion: The use of aQIV for adults ≥ 65 years old in Ireland was shown to be highly cost-effective from both payer and societal perspectives.

In 2021-2022, influenza vaccine coverage in the US dropped below pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Cocirculation of COVID-19 and influenza could place a substantial burden on hospital utilization in future seasons, particularly given the reduced exposure to influenza during the pandemic. We used a dynamic susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered model to simulate influenza transmission with varying influenza vaccine coverage against a background of COVID-19 circulation, in order to estimate acute and ICU hospital bed occupancy for both diseases. We evaluated two vaccine scenarios: egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVe) for all age groups or cell-based QIV (QIVc) for 0.5-64 year-olds with adjuvanted QIV (aQIV) for ≥65 year-olds. ICU bed availability was more limiting than general hospital bed availability, with a vaccine coverage of ≥70% required to avoid negatively impacting ICU bed availability in a high-incidence influenza season. The timing of disease peaks was a key factor together with vaccine coverage, with a difference of ≥50 days needed between peak influenza and COVID-19 bed usage together with 65% influenza vaccine coverage to avoid negative impacts. QIVc + aQIV resulted in lower bed occupancy which, while not substantial, may be critical in very high hospital resource usage situations. In a situation with co-circulating influenza and COVID-19, proactive vaccination planning could help to avert overwhelming healthcare systems in upcoming influenza seasons.

Background : In the United Kingdom (UK), a cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc) and a recombinant vaccine (QIVr) are recommended for eligible adults under 65 years. The objective of this analysis was to determine the potential cost-effectiveness of QIVc compared to QIVr for this age group using a range of assumptions about relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE). Methods: A dynamic transmission model, calibrated to match infection data from the UK, was used to estimate the clinical and economic impact of vaccination across 10 influenza seasons. The list price was £12.50 for QIVc and £22.00 for QIVr. The base case effectiveness of QIVc was 63.9%. As there are no data comparing the vaccines in the 18 to 64-year-old age group, rVE was varied. Results: For the base case, the rVE of QIVr compared with QIVc must be at least 25% in order for the cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained to be £20,000 or lower. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the rVE required for QIVr to be cost-effective was most dependent on the absolute effectiveness of QIVc. Conclusion: At list prices, our analysis predicts that the rVE for QIVr must be at least 25% compared to QIVc in order to be considered cost-effective.

In the United Kingdom (UK), both the MF59-adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine (aQIV) and the high-dose QIV (QIV-HD) are preferred for persons aged 65 years and older but only aQIV is reimbursed by the National Health Service (NHS). The objective was to determine the potential cost-effectiveness of vaccinating adults aged 65 years and above with aQIV compared with QIV-HD in the UK. A dynamic transmission model, calibrated to match infection data from the UK, was used to estimate the impact of vaccination in 10 influenza seasons. Vaccine effectiveness was based on a meta-analysis that concluded the vaccines were not significantly different. Vaccine coverage, physician visits, hospitalizations, deaths, utility losses and NHS costs were estimated using published UK sources. The list price of aQIV was £11.88 while a range of prices were tested for QIV-HD. The price of the trivalent high-dose vaccine (TIV-HD) is £20.00 but a list price for QIV-HD is not yet available. The projected differences between the vaccines in terms of clinical cases and influenza treatment costs are minimal. Our analysis demonstrates that in order to be cost-effective, the price of QIV-HD must be similar to that of aQIV and may range from £7.57 to £12.94 depending on the relative effectiveness of the vaccines. The results of the analysis were most sensitive to variation in vaccine effectiveness and the rate of hospitalization due to influenza. Given the evidence, aQIV is cost-saving unless QIV-HD is priced lower than the existing list price of TIV-HD.

Background: In response to COVID-19, the UK National Health Service (NHS) extended influenza vaccination in 50- to 64-year-olds from at-risk only to all in this age group for the 2020/21 season. The objective of this research is to determine the cost-effectiveness of continuing to vaccinate all with a quadrivalent cell-based vaccine (QIVc) compared to returning to an at-risk only policy after the pandemic resolves., Methods: A dynamic transmission model, calibrated to match infection data from the UK, was used to estimate the clinical and economic impact of vaccination across 10 influenza seasons. The base case effectiveness of QIVc was 63.9% and the list price was GBP 9.94., Results: Vaccinating 50% of all 50- to 64-year-olds with QIVc reduced the average annual number of clinical infections (-682,000), hospitalizations (-5800) and deaths (-740) in the UK. The base case incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained (ICER) of all compared to at-risk only was GBP6000 (NHS perspective). When the cost of lost productivity was considered, vaccinating all 50- to 64-year-olds with QIVc became cost-saving., Conclusion: Vaccinating all 50- to 64-year-olds with QIVc is likely to be cost-effective. The NHS should consider continuing this policy in future seasons.

Background: Latin America has witnessed a marked increase in cardiovascular (CV) disease, the leading cause of death in many countries. The benefits of lipid-lowering therapy to reduce CV-related events are widely accepted. Clinical evidence suggests that rosuvastatin is associated with slightly greater reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than is atorvastatin at comparable doses. Rosuvastatin, however, is often priced at a premium., Objective: Our objective was to examine the cost-effectiveness of using atorvastatin versus rosuvastatin in reducing CV events in Brazil and Colombia using real-world prices., Methods: A global Markov cohort model of primary and secondary CV prevention was developed and adapted to Brazilian and Colombian settings. The risks and costs of major CV events and efficacy, adherence, and costs of statins were considered. Total gains in life-years, quality-adjusted life-years, major CV events avoided, and costs over the lifetime horizon were estimated. Several dose comparisons were considered., Results: In the Colombian analyses, differences in drug costs between therapies were considerable while outcomes were similar. The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained for rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin was more than $700,000 and $200,000 in primary and secondary prevention, respectively. Brazilian analyses found lower incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for rosuvastatin at some dose comparisons due to similar pricing between statins. Sensitivity analyses revealed that changes in treatment efficacy and adherence had the largest impact on results., Conclusions: In primary and secondary CV prevention, the efficacy advantage of rosuvastatin was minimal, while its acquisition cost was higher, particularly in Colombia. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were, therefore, generally in favor of atorvastatin being the cost-effective option., (Copyright © 2014 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The impact of dementia care on caregivers' professional, personal, emotional and social well-being was measured in a cohort of 1,387 caregivers in seven regions across mainland China, using a Chinese version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and four supplementary questions. Caregivers also estimated costs of care and medical resource utilization. Caregiver burden was generally low to moderate. Dementia care had the greatest impact on caregivers' professional lives, with 25.5% reporting a reduced work schedule in the past month. Lost work time was greater for caregivers of patients with previously diagnosed dementia than for those with newly diagnosed dementia. Average monthly out-of-pocket costs of dementia care exceeded national average monthly incomes of rural and urban residents. These findings highlight the obstacles facing the country with the fastest-growing elderly population in the world.

Objectives: The prevalence of dementia in China is among the highest in the world, but systematic estimates of the rate of dementia subtypes and characterization of associated deficits are lacking. The primary aim of this study was to determine the clinical presentation of dementia and describe the caregiver burden in mainland China., Methods: A 3-month, open-enrollment, multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted at 48 tier-3 hospitals. Caregivers who qualified for study entry (provided amount and duration of care information), had intimate knowledge of patient status, and accompanied enrolled patients to study sites were asked to participate in an interview about patient care and caregiver burden. Caregiver burden was assessed via the Chinese version of the validated Zarit Burden Interview., Results: A total of 1425 caregivers completed the survey. Patients had mild to moderate dementia (mean Clinical Dementia Rating score of 1.67±0.79), and the most common dementia subtypes were Alzheimer disease (46.7%) and vascular dementia (28.7%). Among caregivers, 57% were females, 52% were patients' spouses, and 67.3% had been caring for patients for 1 year or more. Most patients required family help and lived at home or with a family member. Caregiver awareness of dementia was limited. The mean total caregiver Zarit Burden Interview score was 26.6. Observations were similar across age, gender, education, dementia type, Clinical Dementia Rating score, and duration of care., Conclusions: China faces multiple obstacles in preparing to care for its fast-growing dementia population. Better understanding of patients and caregivers may mitigate these challenges by improving awareness and education., (Copyright © 2013 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Knee surgery is a risk factor for thromboembolic disease. Prophylaxis reduces the risk of this condition., Methods: Economic and health consequences of drugs preventing and treating thromboembolic disease in patients undergoing knee surgery from the institutional perspective (time horizon: 1 year) were estimated. The measures of effectiveness were: reduction in the number of cases (per 1,000 patients) of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, hospital admissions and deaths. Transition probabilities were estimated by meta-analysis. The alternatives were: warfarin (reference), dalteparin, enoxaparin, nadroparin, unfractionated heparin + warfarin, and non-prophylaxis. Data on resources use and costs corresponds to the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Acceptability curves were constructed., Results: No prophylaxis implied three times higher cost ($18,835.10 versus $5,967.10) and less effectiveness in comparison with warfarin. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for enoxaparin were $3, $13, $17 and $3 per each additional case of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, death and hospital admission avoided. Results of nadroparin and unfractionated heparin were inferior to warfarin (59.1% and 72.9% more costly and less effective in three measures of effectiveness, respectively). Dalteparin showed higher health outcomes and lower cost compared with warfarin (-20.6%). Dalteparin had a higher probability of being cost-effective than enoxaparin., Discussion: thromboprophylaxis is a clinically and economically favorable alternative. The identification of a pharmacoeconomic profile of alternatives to perform it becomes relevant given the increasing pressure on institutional budgets., Conclusions: Dalteparin would be a cost-saving alternative in thromboprophylaxis of patients undergoing knee surgery at IMSS.

Objective: To identify, from the Mexican Public Health System perspective, which would be the most cost-effective treatment for patients with Fibromyalgia (FM)., Material and Methods: A Markov model including three health states, divided by pain intensity (absence or presence of mild, moderate or severe pain) and considering three-month cycles; costs and effectiveness were estimated for amitriptyline (50mg/day), fluoxetine (80 mg/day), duloxetine (120 mg/day), gabapentin (900 mg/day), pregabalin (450 mg/day), tramadol/acetaminophen (150 mg/1300 mg/día) and amitriptyline/fluoxetine (50mg/80 mg/día) for the treatment of FM. The clinical outcome considered was the annual rate of pain control. Probabilities assigned to the model were collected from published literature. Direct medical costs for FM treatment were retrieved from the 2006 data of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) databases and were expressed in 2010 Mexican Pesos. Probabilistic Sensitivity Analyses were conducted., Results: The best pain control rate was obtained with pregabalin (44.8%), followed by gabapentin (38.1%) and duloxetine (34.2%). The lowest treatment costs was for amitriptyline ($ 9047.01), followed by fluoxetine ($ 10,183.89) and amitriptyline/fluoxetine ($ 10,866.01). By comparing pregabalin vs amitriptyline, additional annual cost per patient for pain control would be around $ 50.000 and $ 75.000 and would result cost-effective in 70% and 80% of all cases., Conclusions: Among all treatment options for FM, pregabalin achieved the highest pain control and was cost-effective in 80% of patients of the Mexican Public Health System., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Vaccination is an effective intervention for reduce child morbidity and mortality associated to pneumococcus. The availability of new anti-pneumococcal vaccines makes it necessary to evaluate its potential impact on public health and costs related to their implementation. The aim of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of immunization strategies based on pneumococcal conjugated vaccines (PCV's) currently available in Mexico from a third payer perspective., Material and Methods: A decision tree model was developed to assess both, economic and health impact, of anti-pneumococcal vaccination in children <2 years (lifetime time horizon, discount rate: 5% annual). Comparators were: no-vaccination (reference) and strategies based on 7, 10 and 13-valent PCV's. Effectiveness measures were: child deaths avoided, life-years gained (LYG) and quality adjusted life years (QALY's) gained. Effectiveness, utility, local epidemiology and cost of treating pneumococcal diseases were extracted from published sources. Univariate sensitivity analysis were performed., Results: Immunization dominates no-vaccination: strategy based on 13-valent vaccine prevented 16.205 deaths, gained 331.230 LY's and 332.006 QALY's and saved US$1.307/child vaccinated. Strategies based on 7 and 10-valent PCV's prevented 13.806 and 5.589 deaths, gained 282.193 and 114.251 LY's, 282.969 and 114.972 QALY's and saved US$1.084 and US$731/child vaccinated, respectively. These results were robust to variations in herd immunity and lower immunogenicity of 10-valent vaccine., Conclusions: In Mexico, immunization strategies based on 7, 10 and 13-valent PCV's would be cost-saving interventions, however, health outcomes and savings of the strategy based on 13-valent vaccine are greater than those estimated for 7 and 10-valent PCV's., (Copyright © 2011 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: In Mexico cancer is a public health burden. Nowadays the health care systems pay special attention to patient's perception and satisfaction of the health care received. Satisfaction with quality of health care has an impact in the adherence to the treatment., Objective: To evaluate the satisfaction with the quality of health care received at the IMSS in a group of cancer patients [non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), breast and colorectal cancer]. Socio-demographic features, co-morbid diseases, and attendance processes impact on satisfaction are also evaluated., Results: 476 cancer patients were studied: 314 with breast cancer, 92 with NHL and 70 with colorectal cancer. In women with breast cancer the mean score to nurses' interpersonal skills in non-classified disease group and clinical stage III group were: 73.64 ± 32.53, 90.00 ± 18.25 respectively (p=0.005), nurses' availability in non-classified and clinical stage III group were: 69.71 ± 30.25, 89.21 ± 19.00 respectively (p=0.003). In subjects with NHL the mean scores for doctors' technical skills in clinical stage I and III groups, were: 63.69 ± 37.78, 80.30 ± 18.46 respectively (p=0.017), doctors' information provision scores in subject in clinical stage I and IV were: 49.40 ± 40.75, 79.49 ± 24.63 respectively (p=0.043). In the group of colorectal cancer patients the mean of the score to exchange of information between clinical stage II and clinical stage III group were 50.00 ± 41.83, 84.21 ± 22.37 respectively (p=0.036). Were not observed association between attendance processes features and general satisfaction., Conclusions: In Mexico 50% of cancer patients are attended at the IMSS. The continued evaluation of the satisfaction with health care received by the health care service users is important to enhance attention's quality., (Copyright © 2011 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Quality of life is the most studied PRO (patient reported outcome) in cancer patients. With early diagnosis and better treatments in breast cancer, this entity has been transformed in a chronic disease with longer survival. The joint effects of diseases and treatment on quality of life are each day more important to consider in survival patients., Objective: To evaluate quality of life, socioeconomic factors, co-morbidities, and the attendance process impact on quality of life in breast cancer women with different clinical stages attending at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social using the EORCT QLQ-C30, Results: The scores of EORTC QLQ-C30 (v3) were: Global health status / QoL: 73.47 (± 20.81), physical functioning 76.98 (± 20.85), role functioning 76.60 (± 27.57), emotional functioning 64.53 (± 26.81), cognitive functioning 74.47 (± 26.02), social functioning 84.96 (± 23.20), fatigue 31.94 (± 25.45), nausea and vomiting 19.49 (± 26.93), pain 28.95 (± 27.27), dyspnea 15.29 (± 24.62), insomnia 35.13 (± 32.10), appetite lost 18.04 (± 28.75), 18.04 (± 28.75), constipation 19.20 (± 32.11), diarrhea 12.9 (± 24.25), financial difficulties 40.57 (± 37.26). The scores with EORTC QLQ-BR23 were: body image 74.84 (± 31.69), sexual functioning 13.73 (± 22.55), sexual enjoyment 32.86 (± 36.17), future perspectives 51.69 (± 38.00), systemic therapy side effects 30.82 (± 20.71), breast symptoms 22.85 (± 23.49), arm symptoms 27.53 (± 24.75), upset by hair loss 43.80 (± 44.01)., Conclusions: Clinical stage in breast cancer is associated with differences in the scores from fatigue, nausea and vomiting and financial difficulties according to the evolution of the disease and the physical detriment associated. Socio-demographic features were related role functioning, fatigue and pain in single women with higher scores., (Copyright © 2011 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: In Mexico during 2008, were reported 127,604 new cancer cases, 6,347 of them were colorectal cancer cases and 4,276 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cases., Objective: To evaluate health related quality of life in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and colorectal cancer cases in different clinical stages, attended in a High Specialty Medical facility at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, during a 13 month period., Results: 162 patients were included, 56.8% (n=92) with NHL and 43.2% (n=70) with colorectal cancer. The scores obtained in the NHL group were: Global health status/QoL: 67.75 (± 27.55), physical functioning 69.64 (± 29.98), role functioning 71.38 (± 33.73), emotional functioning 69.7 (± 26.57), cognitive functioning 75.36 (± 28.01), social functioning 79.35 (± 29.38), fatigue 35.27 (± 28.27), nausea and vomiting 13.41 (± 21.85), pain 28.08 (± 30.25), dyspnea 19.20 (± 32.11), insomnia 30.80 (± 38.03), appetite lost 26.45 (± 36.16), constipation 19.20 (± 32.11), diarrhea 12.32 (± 26.48), financial difficulties 26.09 (± 35.57). In colorectal cancer patients the scores were: Global health status/QoL: 68.21 (± 24.46), physical functioning 67.38 (± 30.45), role functioning 65.48 (± 35.70), emotional functioning 66.43 (± 26.84), cognitive functioning 78.57 (± 26.49), social functioning 75.24 (± 31.05), fatigue 37.78 (± 31.62), nausea and vomiting 20.00 (± 28.32), pain 37.38 (± 34.45), dyspnea 11.90 (± 26.64), insomnia 28.09 (± 35.73), appetite lost 23.81 (± 36.40), constipation 19.05 (± 32.88), diarrhea 20.95 (± 31.17), financial difficulties 34.76 (± 38.67)., Conclusions: With these basal results is important a follow-up with special attention to the treatment and attendance processes, in patients with this neoplasms and their impact on the quality of life., (Copyright © 2011 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of using buccal swab brushes in comparison with blood samples for obtaining DNA for large epidemiological studies of the elderly population. The data reported here are from the third phase of the Integral Study of Depression among the Elderly in Mexico City's Mexican Institute of Social Security, conducted in 2007. The total cost of the two procedures was determined. The measurement of effectiveness was the quality and quantity of DNA measured in ng/μL and the use of this DNA for the determination of apolipoprotein E (APO E) polymorphism by PCR. Similar rates of amplification were obtained with the two techniques. The cost of the buccal swab brushes, including sample collection and DNA extraction, was US$16.63, compared to the cost per blood sample of US$23.35. Using the buccal swab, the savings was US$6.72 per patient (P < 0.05). The effectiveness was similar. Quantity and quality of DNA obtained were similar for the oral and blood procedures, demonstrating that the swab brush technique offers a feasible alternative for large-scale epidemiological studies.

Background: Ageing of Mexican population implies greater demand of hospital services. Nevertheless, the available resources are used inadequately. In this study, the direct medical costs associated with the appropriateness of elderly populations hospital stay are estimated., Methods: Appropriateness of hospital stay was evaluated with the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP). Direct medical costs associated with hospital stay under the third-party payer's institutional perspective were estimated, using as information source the clinical files of 60 years of age and older patients, hospitalized during year 2004 in a Regional Hospital from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), in Mexico City., Results: The sample consisted of 724 clinical files, with a mean of 5.3 days (95% CI = 4.9-5.8) of hospital stay, of which 12.4% (n = 90) were classified with at least one inappropriate patient day, with a mean of 2.2 days (95% CI = 1.6-2.7). The main cause of inappropriateness days was the inexistence of a diagnostic and/or treatment plan, 98.9% (n = 89). The mean cost for an appropriate hospitalization per patient resulted in US$1,497.2 (95% CI = US$323.2-US$4,931.4), while the corresponding mean cost for an inappropriate hospitalization per patient resulted in US$2,323.3 (95% CI = US$471.7-US$6,198.3), (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Elderly patients who were inappropriately hospitalized had a higher rate of inappropriate patient days. The average of inappropriate patient days cost is considerably higher than appropriate days. In this study, inappropriate hospital-stay causes could be attributable to physicians and current organizational management.

The adequacy of the concept of willingness to pay within health economics evaluations is reviewed. A considerable number of researchers in the literature have pointed out multiple methodological issues involving willingness-to-pay estimates. On the other hand, the theoretical discussion about the aggregation of individual preferences within an aggregate demand remains open. However, over the last 20 years, willingness-to-pay estimates alongside health economics research significantly increased and in many cases they are one of the key factors for decision making on issues of health policies. The article describes some limitations of this approach as well as the potential distorting effect that it might have on health economics evaluations.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the main causes of disability worldwide, especially in persons >55 years of age. Currently, controversy remains about the best therapeutic alternative for this disease when evaluated from a cost-effectiveness viewpoint. For Social Security Institutions in developing countries, it is very important to assess what drugs may decrease the subsequent use of medical care resources, considering their adverse events that are known to have a significant increase in medical care costs of patients with OA. Three treatment alternatives were compared: celecoxib (200 mg twice daily), non-selective NSAIDs (naproxen, 500 mg twice daily; diclofenac, 100 mg twice daily; and piroxicam, 20 mg/day) and acetaminophen, 1000 mg twice daily. The aim of this study was to identify the most cost-effective first-choice pharmacological treatment for the control of joint pain secondary to OA in patients treated at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)., Methods: A cost-effectiveness assessment was carried out. A systematic review of the literature was performed to obtain transition probabilities. In order to evaluate analysis robustness, one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. Estimations were done for a 6-month period., Results: Treatment demonstrating the best cost-effectiveness results [lowest cost-effectiveness ratio $17.5 pesos/patient ($1.75 USD)] was celecoxib. According to the one-way sensitivity analysis, celecoxib would need to markedly decrease its effectiveness in order for it to not be the optimal treatment option. In the probabilistic analysis, both in the construction of the acceptability curves and in the estimation of net economic benefits, the most cost-effective option was celecoxib., Conclusion: From a Mexican institutional perspective and probably in other Social Security Institutions in similar developing countries, the most cost-effective option for treatment of knee and/or hip OA would be celecoxib.

Second-line treatments recommended by the National Cancer Center Network to manage advanced-stage gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) were evaluated to determine the cost and cost-effectiveness of each intervention in the Mexican insurance system, the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Treatments examined over a 5-year temporal horizon to estimate long-term costs included 800 mg day(-1) of imatinib mesylate, 50 mg day(-1) of sunitinib malate (administered in a 4 week on/2 week rest schedule), and palliative care. The mean cost (MC), cost-effectiveness, and benefit of each intervention were compared to determine the best GIST treatment from the institutional perspective of the IMSS. As sunitinib was not reimbursed at the time of the study, a Markov model and sensitivity analysis were conducted to predict the MC and likelihood of reimbursement. Patients taking 800 mg day(-1) of imatinib had the highest MC (+/-s.d.) of treatment at $35,225.61 USD (+/-1253.65 USD); while sunitinib incurred a median MC of $17,805.87 USD (+/-694.83 USD); and palliative care had the least MC over treatment duration as the cost was $2071.86 USD (+/-472.88 USD). In comparison to palliative care, sunitinib is cost-effective for 38.9% of patients; however, sunitinib delivered the greatest survival benefit as 5.64 progression-free months (PFM) and 1.4 life-years gained (LYG) were obtained in the economic model. Conversely, patients on imatinib and palliative care saw a lower PFM of 5.28 months and 2.58 months and also fewer LYG (only 1.31 and 1.08 years, respectively). Therefore, economic modeling predicts that reimbursing sunitinib over high dose imatinib in the second-line GIST indication would deliver cost savings to the IMSS and greater survival benefits to patients.

Background: Aging of the population represents one of the main challenges for health systems because of the increase in the demand for hospital services. To be able to count on tools that allow an objective evaluation of hospital-resource use becomes indispensable for health systems., Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) regarding the appropriateness of admissions and hospital stays in elderly patients. In a scenario of scarce resources, to have a valid instrument will make it possible to evaluate the process of care in our growing elderly population in a standardized way., Methods: We carried out a retrospective study of 144 randomly chosen elderly patients admitted to the hospital with 394 even-numbered hospital-stay days. For the reliability analysis between the pair of nurses with the AEP and the pair of specialists, the details of the hospital admissions and the stay days were obtained from the clinical files. Criteria validity was conducted by pairs of physicians, including two internists, two general surgeons and two geriatricians. Only the agreements were compared with agreements of the AEP-trained nurses. Disagreements were excluded from the final analysis., Results: Inter-rater (inter-reviewer) agreement of hospital admissions and days spent by the patient presented a kappa coefficient of >0.70, while these admissions and hospital-stay days was >0.70. Sensitivity and positive predictor value to detect inappropriate admissions were not calculated because no agreement existed on inappropriate admissions. Specificity and negative predictive value to detect appropriate admission was >94.0% and >98.0%. Sensitivity and positive predictor value to detect inappropriate hospital-stay days was >44.0% and >10.0%, while specificity and negative predictor value for detecting appropriate hospital-stay days was >79.0% and >88.0%., Conclusions: AEP's high-reliability and moderate-validity results with regard to clinical judgement positions it as a useful instrument for appropriate hospitalization screening in elderly patients.

The paper reviews the outcomes and failures of the Swedish health care reform, as well as the lessons learned for accomplishing better financial results and quality standards.