Sexual hormone and traditional Chinese patent medicine for early postmenopausal women: effect on quality of life and cost-utility analysis.
- Author:
Ling-Ling ZHOU
1
;
Liang-Zhi XU
;
Hong-Wei LIU
;
Jing ZHANG
;
Ying LIU
;
Xiao-Fang LIU
;
Liu-Lin TANG
;
Jing ZHUANG
;
Xiao-Xian LIU
;
Lin QIAO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Cost-Benefit Analysis; Drug Therapy, Combination; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; economics; therapeutic use; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); economics; therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Phytotherapy; Postmenopause; drug effects; Quality of Life
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2009;29(11):2181-2186
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Premarin and Kuntai capsule (a traditional Chinese patent medicine) on the quality of life (QOL) and their cost-utility in early postmenopausal women.
METHODSFifty-seven women with menopausal syndrome in the early postmenopausal stage were randomly allocated into Premarin group (0.3 mg/day and 0.6 mg/day alternately, n=29) and Kuntai group (4 g/day, n=28). The therapies lasted for one year and the patients were followed up every 3 months. The QOL of the patients was evaluated and the utility scores were obtained from rating scale to conduct a cost-utility analysis (CUA).
RESULTSAt each follow-up examination, no significant difference was found in the QOL between the two groups (P>0.05). The QOL obviously increased after the 1-year-long therapy in both the groups, and Kuntai required longer treatment time than Premarin to take effect. The cost-utility ratio of Premarin and Kuntai were 13581.45 yuan/QALY (quality adjusted life year) and 25105.12 yuan/QALY, respectively. Both incremental cost analysis and sensitivity analysis showed that Kuntai was more costly than Premarin. The result of per-protocol analysis was consistent with that of intention-to-treat analysis.
CONCLUSIONAt early stage of menopause, the QOL of women with menopausal syndrome can be significantly improved by low-dose Premarin and Kuntai capsule, but the latter is more costly.