title: Cost-effectiveness analysis of medical and surgical treatment for duodenal ulcer in Singapore.
abstract: A mathematical model involving transitions between possible states of duodenal ulcer was used to calculate the costs of various treatments, medical and surgical, which are available for the long-term management of duodenal ulcer. Costs of medical and surgical treatment were based on costs incurred at the National University Hospital, Singapore as at 1990. Elective surgery incurs a high cost, both financial and in terms of mortality, at the outset with minimal additional costs subsequently. The various medical options cost less initially but their costs are cumulative and eventually overtake the costs of surgical treatment. These calculations are based on the use of a proprietary preparation of a histamine-2-blocker. If a generic preparation is used, medical treatment becomes considerably cheaper over a 15 year period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D012846:Singapore