B Rodríguez-Sánchez1, L M Peña-Longobardo2, A J Sinclair3. 1. Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Calle San Pedro Mártir 7, 45002, Toledo, Spain. beatriz.rsanchez@uclm.es. 2. Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Calle San Pedro Mártir 7, 45002, Toledo, Spain. 3. Foundation for Diabetes Research in Older People, Diabetes Frail Ltd, University of Aston, Birmingham, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To carry out a cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of Neuropad as a screening test for diabetic neuropathy together with the standard care tool, the 10-g monofilament, in people with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis using a Markov model was developed to assess the impact on costs and outcomes of using Neuropad as a test for diabetic neuropathy (1) as a complement to the standard test, the 10-g monofilament (Neuropad + monofilament vs. monofilament); and (2) as a substitute for the monofilament (Neuropad vs. monofilament); from the healthcare provider perspective. The time horizon was 3 years. Data on costs and health gains were extracted from the literature. The incremental cost-utility ratio was calculated. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Compared with standard care, Neuropad, in combination with the 10-g monofilament tool, is the dominant strategy as it leads to higher health gains and lower costs. In practice, compared with using the monofilament alone, performing both tests would lead to a savings of £1049.26 per patient and 0.044 QALY gain. Results were found to be consistent across the sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Using both screening tools (Neuropad + monofilament) is a cost-effective strategy and the dominant alternative, when compared against using the 10-g monofilament alone. The results would be of special relevance in the early detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and to ensure the efficient allocation of resources and, thus, the sustainability of healthcare systems.
OBJECTIVE: To carry out a cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of Neuropad as a screening test for diabetic neuropathy together with the standard care tool, the 10-g monofilament, in people with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis using a Markov model was developed to assess the impact on costs and outcomes of using Neuropad as a test for diabetic neuropathy (1) as a complement to the standard test, the 10-g monofilament (Neuropad + monofilament vs. monofilament); and (2) as a substitute for the monofilament (Neuropad vs. monofilament); from the healthcare provider perspective. The time horizon was 3 years. Data on costs and health gains were extracted from the literature. The incremental cost-utility ratio was calculated. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Compared with standard care, Neuropad, in combination with the 10-g monofilament tool, is the dominant strategy as it leads to higher health gains and lower costs. In practice, compared with using the monofilament alone, performing both tests would lead to a savings of £1049.26 per patient and 0.044 QALY gain. Results were found to be consistent across the sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Using both screening tools (Neuropad + monofilament) is a cost-effective strategy and the dominant alternative, when compared against using the 10-g monofilament alone. The results would be of special relevance in the early detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and to ensure the efficient allocation of resources and, thus, the sustainability of healthcare systems.
Authors: Karl Claxton; Mark Sculpher; Anthony Culyer; Chris McCabe; Andrew Briggs; Ron Akehurst; Martin Buxton; John Brazier Journal: Health Econ Date: 2006-01 Impact factor: 3.046