T Szucs1, D Osterkorn, W Schramm. 1. Hämostaseologische Abteilung/Klinische Okonomie Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität München.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic events in users of oral contraceptives rank among the most important complications with potential economic consequences. It is well known that a large part of thromboembolic complications correlates with hereditary thrombophilias. The relative high prevalence of the newly described resistance of activated protein C and an easy test for it rise up the question if general screening of new users of oral contraceptives is sensible of health economic view. METHOD: We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis using decision analytic techniques, analysing the costs and outcomes in a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 women. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: From a third party payer perspective we estimate that screening for APC resistance by new users of oral contraceptives is more cost-effective than many other primary preventive methods. The cost per life-year gained of testing for APC resistance were in the order of DM 1544,--including direct medical cost only. From perspective of sickness insurance fund as cost unit we estimate that screening for APC resistance by new users of oral contraceptives is more cost-effective than many other primary preventive methods.
BACKGROUND:Thromboembolic events in users of oral contraceptives rank among the most important complications with potential economic consequences. It is well known that a large part of thromboembolic complications correlates with hereditary thrombophilias. The relative high prevalence of the newly described resistance of activated protein C and an easy test for it rise up the question if general screening of new users of oral contraceptives is sensible of health economic view. METHOD: We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis using decision analytic techniques, analysing the costs and outcomes in a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 women. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: From a third party payer perspective we estimate that screening for APC resistance by new users of oral contraceptives is more cost-effective than many other primary preventive methods. The cost per life-year gained of testing for APC resistance were in the order of DM 1544,--including direct medical cost only. From perspective of sickness insurance fund as cost unit we estimate that screening for APC resistance by new users of oral contraceptives is more cost-effective than many other primary preventive methods.