Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Chronic idiopathic urticaria is a distressing condition that severely affects patients' quality of life. The overall costs associated with this disease, both for the healthcare payer and society, are unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost effectiveness of levocetirizine, a first-line treatment for urticaria. METHODS: Data were collected from two placebo-controlled trials and from official French databases. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by the mean number of pruritus-free days experienced by the patient within a 30-day period (PFD30). Direct cost parameters were medications used, medical procedures and hospitalisations for urticaria or treatment of adverse events. Productivity cost parameters were the workdays lost, defined as absenteeism and/or presenteeism, resulting from urticaria. The costing was performed using a French societal perspective. Costs were reported in euro (2002 values) and were standardised to a 30-day month. Whenever possible, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were derived from these data. RESULTS: The pooled sample contained 294 patients. Compared with placebo, patients in the levocetirizine group experienced an additional mean 6.5 (95% CI 3.8, 9.3) pruritus-free days per month (p < 0.001). Considering only direct medical costs, the incremental cost of treatment with levocetirizine was totally offset by the reduction in other medical costs (i.e. reduced cost of additional medications, medical procedures and hospitalisations). From the perspective of society, treatment with levocetirizine was cost saving, with a net gain of Euro 91.93 per patient per month. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Alexander Kapp, Nadia Demarteau |
Journal | Clinical drug investigation
(Clin Drug Investig)
Vol. 26
Issue 1
Pg. 1-11
( 2006)
ISSN: 1173-2563 [Print] New Zealand |
PMID | 17163229
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Allergic Agents
- Piperazines
- levocetirizine
- Cetirizine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Anti-Allergic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Cetirizine
(economics, therapeutic use)
- Chronic Disease
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Female
- Health Care Costs
- Humans
- Male
- Piperazines
(economics, therapeutic use)
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
- Urticaria
(drug therapy)
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