Comparing the cost-effectiveness of drug regimens in the treatment of duodenal ulcers.

This paper compares cost-effectiveness of drug regimens based on omeprazole, ranitidine and sucralfate in the treatment of duodenal ulcers. Measures used were expected total costs and expected healthy days in a six month period after starting treatment. Both measures were calculated by decision tree analysis using healing and relapse probabilities estimated by logit regressions from results of earlier RCTs. Omeprazole and sucralfate regimens tied in the direct C/E comparison and were clearly superior to ranitidine regimens. Yet problems with patient compliance and faster relief from pain/symptoms with omeprazole may contribute to breaking the tie to omeprazole's advantage.