Discrete event simulation (DES) model is based on individual data, by which discrete events over time are simulated to reflect disease progression. The effects of individual characteristics on disease progression could be considered in the DES model. Moreover, unlike state-transition models, DES model without setting of fixed cycle can contribute to more accurate estimation of event time, especially in the evaluation of the long-term effectiveness of screening strategies for complex diseases in which time dimension needs to be considered. This article introduces the general principles, construction steps, analytic methods and other relevant issues of the DES model. Based on a research case of estimating the cost-effectiveness of screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms in women aged 65 years and above in the United Kingdom, key points in applications of the DES model in analysis on effectiveness of complex disease screening are discussed in detail, including model construction and analysis and interpretation of the results. DES model can predict occurring time of discrete events accurately by establishing the distribution function of their occurring time and is increasingly used to evaluate the screening strategies for complex diseases in which time dimension needs to be considered. In the construction of DES model, it is necessary to pay close attention to the clear presentation of model structure and simulation process and follow the relevant reporting specification to conduct cost-effectiveness analysis to ensure the transparency and repeatability of the research.
Humans ; Female ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis ; Disease Progression

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Oral ivermectin is recommended as an alternative to topical permethrin in Japanese, European, and CDC-STI guidelines for treating classic scabies. The combination of oral ivermectin and topical permethrin is also used in some settings. Partial economic evaluations conducted in India and Egypt have conflicting results, and no cost-effectiveness analysis in the Philippines has compared ivermectin-based regimens to permethrin for scabies treatment. We aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of oral ivermectin, alone or in combination with permethrin, compared to permethrin, in the treatment of Filipino adult patients with classic scabies.

We used a decision tree model to estimate the cost-effectiveness of two regimens, oral ivermectin alone or in combination with permethrin, compared with permethrin to treat adults and children aged five years and older with classic scabies in the outpatient setting from the household perspective in the Philippines. We estimated total costs and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) over a one-month follow-up. Input parameters were obtained from secondary data, such as effect estimates for probabilities of clinical outcomes from a network meta-analysis, DALYs from the Global Burden of Disease 2019, and prevailing market cost in the Philippines (DPRI 2022 with recommended markup by DOH, and leading drugstores) as of August 2022. We computed for incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and net monetary benefit (NMB) to determine which of the interventions are cost-effective. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses, and scenario analyses were conducted to assess the impact of parameter and structural uncertainty.

Ivermectin-based regimens are suggested to be likely cost-saving compared to permethrin in the Philippine outpatient setting. Base case analysis showed that oral ivermectin had higher cost-savings (change in cost, -1,039.31; change in DALYS, 0.00027), while combination oral ivermectin/permethrin had higher DALYs averted (change in cost, PhP -1,019.78; change in DALYs, 0.00045), compared to permethrin. Combination oral ivermectin/permethrin (56%) was the most cost-effective, followed by oral ivermectin (44%) compared to permethrin (0%) through probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Estimates for ivermectin were sensitive to risk of cure for ivermectin vs permethrin using 1-way deterministic sensitivity analysis. Oral ivermectin was favored over combination oral ivermectin/permethrin at all thresholds based on the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve.

Both ivermectin-based regimens seem to be cost-saving compared to permethrin in the treatment of classic scabies in the Philippine outpatient setting. Clinicians may consider oral ivermectin, alone or in combination with permethrin as an alternative first-line or second-line treatment depending on patient preference, adverse event risk profile, availability, and economic capacity. This needs to be confirmed using primary data from Filipino patients to enhance the robustness of the findings and support evidence-based local decision-making in different settings. Less uncertainty in modelled parameters can give greater confidence in the results, which can be adopted for budget impact analysis and allow more rational resource allocation. Value of information analysis can be done to determine whether the expense of future RCTs or surveys in Filipinos to collect primary data is worth it. The cost of reducing uncertainty, if deemed worth the cost of further studies, may facilitate population-level decision-making and budget planning. Findings may further inform practice guideline development, coverage decisions, and national control program planning by providing the most cost-effective scabies intervention.

Humans ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis ; Decision Trees

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the combined chemotherapy regimen containing Bedaquiline (BR) and the conventional treatment regimen (CR, not containing Bedaquiline) for the treatment of adults with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in China. METHODS: A combination of a decision tree and a Markov model was developed to estimate the cost and effects of MDR patients in BR and CR within ten years. The model parameter data were synthesized from the literature, the national TB surveillance information system, and consultation with experts. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of BR vs. CR was determined. RESULTS: BR ( vs. CR) had a higher sputum culture conversion rate and cure rate and prevented many premature deaths (decreased by 12.8%), thereby obtaining more quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) (increased by 2.31 years). The per capita cost in BR was as high as 138,000 yuan, roughly double that of CR. The ICER for BR was 33,700 yuan/QALY, which was lower than China's 1× per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020 (72,400 yuan). CONCLUSION BR is shown to be cost effective. When the unit price of Bedaquiline reaches or falls below 57.21 yuan per unit, BR is expected to be the dominant strategy in China over CR.
Adult ; Humans ; Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use* ; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant/drug therapy* ; China/epidemiology*

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasonography (US) is the current standard of care for imaging surveillance in patients at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been explored as an alternative, given the higher sensitivity of MRI, although this comes at a higher cost. We performed a cost-effective analysis comparing US and dual-sequence non-contrast-enhanced MRI (NCEMRI) for HCC surveillance in the local setting. METHODS: Cost-effectiveness analysis of no surveillance, US surveillance and NCEMRI surveillance was performed using Markov modelling and microsimulation. At-risk patient cohort was simulated and followed up for 40 years to estimate the patients' disease status, direct medical costs and effectiveness. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio were calculated. RESULTS: Exactly 482,000 patients with an average age of 40 years were simulated and followed up for 40 years. The average total costs and QALYs for the three scenarios - no surveillance, US surveillance and NCEMRI surveillance - were SGD 1,193/7.460 QALYs, SGD 8,099/11.195 QALYs and SGD 9,720/11.366 QALYs, respectively. CONCLUSION Despite NCEMRI having a superior diagnostic accuracy, it is a less cost-effective strategy than US for HCC surveillance in the general at-risk population. Future local cost-effectiveness analyses should include stratifying surveillance methods with a variety of imaging techniques (US, NCEMRI, contrast-enhanced MRI) based on patients' risk profiles.
Humans ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnostic imaging* ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods*

Introduction: Well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer with a notable increasing incidence worldwide. It is prevalent among Filipino descent as compared to other nationalities. Its good prognosis and high survival rate predispose patients to lifetime surveillance with incomplete response, instead of death, as outcome measure. This eventually leads to increase in cost of care, utilization, and allocation of medical resources for the survivors of the disease. Thyroglobulin immunoradiometric assay (Tg IRMA) and I-131 diagnostic whole-body scan (dWBS) are two nuclear medicine procedures that are part of WDTC surveillance. Due to their varied availability in Asia-Pacific, most clinicians measure thyroglobulin (Tg) alone due to perceived cost-effectiveness. Objective: This study aims to analyze the cost-effectiveness of two nuclear medicine procedures used in WDTC surveillance, namely thyroglobulin immunoradiometric assay and I-131 diagnostic whole-body scan, in detecting incomplete response. Methodology: Three clinical guidelines on WDTC management were reviewed to identify frequency, total number and expenditure for surveillance, namely from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital in 2008 (PGH 2008), American Thyroid Association in 2015 (ATA 2015), and the Department of Health (DOH 2021). A Markov model was constructed to simulate a 36-month surveillance with complete and incomplete response to treatment as disease states. Parameter values like rate of incomplete response in WDTC patients, prognostic values per each surveillance test, and other relevant data were collected from literature search and established data. The cost of surveillance was based on the rates offered by Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Radioisotope Laboratory as of November 2022. One-way sensitivity was done to check robustness of results. Results: ATA 2015 incurs the most expenses, amounting to PHP 14,600.00 to 20,450.00 ($ 254.19 – 356.04) for three years of surveillance, followed by DOH 2021 (PHP 11,700.00 – 15,600.00 or $ 203.74 – 271.65), and PGH 2008 (PHP 3,900.00 – 6,825.00 or $ 67.91 – 118.85). The thyroglobulin IRMA arm costs lower (PHP 17,784.00 or $ 309.74) than I-131 dWBS (PHP 271,875.00 or $ 4,735.13) in detecting incomplete response. I-131 dWBS should cost around PHP 570.00 (or $ 9.92) to be as cost-effective as the thyroglobulin IRMA. Conclusion This study has identified that thyroglobulin IRMA is more cost-effective than I-131 diagnostic whole-body scan in detecting incomplete response in WDTC patients. This supports the perceived cost-effectiveness of thyroglobulin measurement in surveillance, even without diagnostic whole body-scans. This study also identified that the new DOH 2021 guidelines will incur lesser expenditure in using nuclear medicine procedures for surveillance as compared to ATA 2015 guidelines. Local clinicians may also find it easier to follow as it is more suitable to the Philippine setting.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Background: Cost-effectivenessstudiesareimportant for chronic diseases such as psoriasis, which may cause significant financial burden and negatively affect the patient's quality of life. Objectives: This study evaluated which among the treatment options, namely topicals phototherapy (TP), topicals + systemic (TS), and topicals + biologics (TB), is the most cost-effective for the management of moderate to severe psoriasis at the Rizal Medical Center's Psoriasis Center Methods: A total of 65 moderate to severe psoriasis patients seen at the Rizal Medical Center's Psoriasis Center in 2021 were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Chart review was conducted to account all direct costs of treatment. The effectiveness in relation to the overall cost was assessed using the psoriasis area severity index (PASI) and the dermatological life quality index (DLQI). Results: Our study showed that TS is the most cost-effective treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis with the lowest cost per PASI75 and DLQI<5 improvement valued at Php335.36, followed by TP valued at Php 762.87, and lastly by TB at Php 19,058.03. Despite TB incurring the highest cost, all patients in this treatment group showed the highest mean difference of PASI and DLQI. Conclusions Our findings suggest that topical with systemic medication is the most cost-effective treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis
Psoriasis ; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

BACKGROUND: In 2000, the World Health Organization recommended implementation of universal hearing screening. The Philippines enacted this policy into law in 2009 as it was found to be cost-effective for the Philippines. The model at the time used a hospital-based approached to screening. This paper examines the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of implementing a community-based universal hearing screening program.
METHODS: A model was developed following a community-based hearing screening program. Parameters were obtained through literature review, secondary data analysis, and consultation with experts. Cost-effectiveness was assessed for a single birth cohort from a public payer and societal perspective.
RESULTS: A community-based universal hearing screening program was found to be cost-saving. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that results were sensitive only to treatment rate and follow-up rate. The program is also a high budget impact program.
CONCLUSION: A community-based hearing screening program is cost-saving for the Philippines. Ensuring treatment and good follow-up in testing will ensure cost-effectiveness.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and economic efficiency of Biyuan Tongqiao Granules combined with Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS). The randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Biyuan Tongqiao Granules combined with Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray in the treatment of CRS was searched against EMbase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, SinoMed, and Wanfang. The efficacy, nasal mucociliary transport time, and safety of the therapy above in the treatment of CRS were analyzed with single-group rate and Meta-analysis, and the economy and sensitivity were evaluated from the perspective of payer. A total of 9 RCTs were included, including 1 145 patients. Meta-analysis showed that compared with Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray alone, Biyuan Tongqiao Granules combined with Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray in the treatment of CRS patients increased the effective rate(RR=1.17, 95%CI[1.11, 1.24], P<0.000 01) and shortened the nasal mucociliary transport time(MD=-3.32, 95%CI[-5.86,-0.78], P=0.01), there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. The incremental cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the treatment costs of the control group and the observation group were 44.15 yuan and 1 044.96 yuan, respectively. In the Biyuan Tongqiao Granules combined with Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray treatment group, 75.48 yuan was spent to improve the effective rate of CRS by 1%. The one-way sensitivity analysis indicated the days of treatment, the RR of Biyuan Tongqiao Granules combined with Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray, the price of unit preparation of Biyuan Tongqiao Granules, and the effective rate of Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray alone had great influence on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. In conclusion, Biyuan Tongqiao Granules combined with Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray improves the therapeutic effect on CRS. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that when the willingness to pay was greater than 7 920 yuan(less than 0.1 of GDP per capita 8 098 yuan), the combined therapy was economically superior to the control. Due to the limited number of articles published, it is necessary to carry out a real-world clinical trial of Biyuan Tongqiao Gra-nules and Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray in the treatment of CRS, so as to compare the cost-effectiveness of Biyuan Tongqiao Granules and Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray.
Humans ; Triamcinolone Acetonide/adverse effects* ; Nasal Sprays ; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis ; Sinusitis/drug therapy* ; Chronic Disease

Computer-assisted spine surgery (CASS) is a new discipline involving application of computer engineering and mechanical engineering to spine surgery. The tools used most commonly include preoperative surgical simulation, intraoperative navigation, and robot-assisted surgery. Surgical simulation has been utilized for both clinical and basic research. Navigation in spine surgery has focused on guidance of screw placement, however, due to limited accuracy and high cost, its use is somewhat sparse. CASS may be combined with minimal invasive spine surgery in the near future. Further validation of clinical accuracy issues and surgical outcomes as well as cost-benefit analysis is required.
Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Spine*