Cost-effectiveness of antihypertensive treatment. General considerations.
Cost-effectiveness analysis, a set of methods for estimating the costs and health effects of medical interventions, helps decision makers to compare alternative treatments and to decide which interventions are appropriate in which situations. This article outlines some fundamental principles of cost-effectiveness analysis and discusses the characteristics necessary if alternative therapies are to be more cost-effective than traditional drug treatment for hypertension. The discussion focuses primarily on the newer drugs like angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers, and calcium antagonists.
Russell
L B
LB
Institute for Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903.
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers