Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.59(9) > 1101020

Choi, Kwon, and Jee: Cost-utility Analysis of Primary Open-angle Glaucoma according to Follow-up Observation Period

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the cost-utility based on the quantitative relationship between glaucoma follow-up and glaucoma progression.

Methods

The Markov model was constructed and analyzed to determine the cost-effectiveness of primary open-angle glaucoma. The Markov model set up a virtual cohort of Korean over 40 years of age with early glaucoma. The costs associated with glaucoma treatment were assessed from a social point of view, and the utility was calculated using the quality adjusted life years according to the glaucoma states. Glaucoma health status was divided into 5 stages (early, middle, late, unilateral, bilateral blindness). The transition probability was set in one direction from mild to severe, and the length of each cycle was set at one year. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated and compared with each other different follow-up periods. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine how the uncertainty of the variables used in this study affected the outcome.

Results

ICER of 3-month follow-up was 28,244,398 won/quality adjusted life years (QALY) compared 6-month follow-up, and ICER of 6-month follow-up was 13,615,443 won/QALY compared to 12-month follow-up. If the probability of progression of glaucoma in 6-months follow-up observations increases by more than 10% over 3-month periodic follow-up and the progression probability of 12-month follow-up increases by more than 15% follow-up compared to 3-months follow-up, 3-months follow-up was found to be a cost-effective strategy. On the other hand, 6-month follow-up was found to be cost-effective if probability of progression of 6-month follow-up was less than 10% increase of 3-month follow-up and 15% increase of 6-months follow-up.

Conclusions

Cost-effective follow-up strategies differed according to the probability of progression of glaucoma, and 3-month or 6-month follow-up strategies were cost-effective and acceptable in Korea's health care system.

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Figure 1.
Cost-effectiveness of glaucoma patients with medication according to different follow-up periods: 3-month, 6-month, and 12-months intervals. 3 months follow up strategy showed cost of 21,091,762 won and effectiveness of 12.5 quality adjusted life years, as 1 year follow up strategy showed cost of 13,868,566 won and effectiveness of 12.1 quality adjusted life years. FU = follow up; Yr = year; M = months.
jkos-59-842f1.tif
Figure 2.
Two-way sensitivity analysis of cost-effectiveness of glaucoma patients with medication on ratio of transition probability by 6-month and 12-month over 3-month follow-up periods. If the probability of progression of glaucoma in 6-months follow-up observations increases by more than 10% over 3-month periodic follow-up and the progression probability of 12-month follow-up increases by more than 15% fol-low-up compared to 3-months follow-up, 3-months follow-up was found to be a cost-effective strategy. M = months; yr = year; FU = follow up; WTP = willingness to pay.
jkos-59-842f2.tif
Table 1.
Costs used in the model
  Parameter Value (KRW)
Medication Prostaglandin 16,583
  Cosopt 23,570
  Alphagan 16,075
  Total cost of medication 56,228
  Nonofficial medication 107,334
Examination Slit 2,287
  Tono 2,275
  Gonio 7,837
  Discphoto 14,150
  OCT 62,400
  VF 24,375
  Total cost of examination 113,324
  Total cost of examination 224,361
Visit 1st visit 16,800
  Transportation 1,981
  Societal cost of visit time 32,195
  Frequency of visit/year 4 per year
  Total inpatient days 3 days
  Total outpatient days 2 days
Treatment Laser complication 1,000,000
  Surgery complication 2,000,000
  Trabe 445,287
  Trasportation for admission n 10,061
  Admission cost 413,205
  Time cost for admission 307,245
  Outpatient nurse 249,910
  Inpatient nurse 210,000

KRW = Korean won; OCT = optical coherence tomography; VF = visual field.

Table 2.
Utilities and other parameters used in the model
  Parameter Value
Utilities Mild glaucoma 0.92
  Moderate glaucoma 0.89
  Severe glaucoma 0.86
  Unilateral blindness 0.47
  Bilateral blindness 0.26
  Dead 0
Transition probabilities Progression from less to more severe OAG state 0.1
  Progression from mild to moderate OAG, medication 0.0914

OAG = open angle glaucoma.

Table 3.
Cost-effectiveness of treating newly diagnosed mild open-angle glaucoma using different strategies of follow-up schedules with 3, 6, and 12 months intervals
Strategy Cost (KRW) Incremental cost (KRW) Effectiveness (QALYs) Incremental effectiveness (QALYs) ICER (KRW/QALYs)
FU 1 year 13,868,566   12.1    
FU 6 months 16,276,298 2,407,732 12.3 0.2 13,615,443
FU 3 months 21,091,762 4,815,464 12.5 0.2 28,244,398

KRW = Korean won; QALY = quality adjusted life years; ICER = incremental cost effectiveness ratio; FU = follow up.

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