title: Episodic versus prophylactic infusions for hemophilia A: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the incremental cost-effectiveness of prophylactic compared with episodic care in boys with severe hemophilia A.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven U.S. hemophilia treatment centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Charge data from a randomly selected cohort of 70 boys receiving episodic infusions for bleeding events and from all 27 boys receiving infusions prophylactically were collected from documents obtained from the hemophilia treatment centers during a period of approximately 2 years. Published and public sources were used for conversion to cost, lifetime earnings, and earnings losses from disability. A model was constructed for a hypothetical patient from ages 3 to 50 years by means of three infusion scenarios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cohort receiving prophylactic treatment had fewer bleeding events each year (median, 3 vs 31) but used more concentrate (3323 vs 1015 units/kg per year). Factor VIII concentrate accounted for more than 93% of the cost of both episodic and prophylactic care. Compared with episodic infusion, prophylaxis from ages 3 to 20 years costs $1100 per bleeding event prevented, in comparison with $1380 for prophylaxis from ages 3 to 50 years. The total cost of prophylactic care from ages 3 to 50 years would equal the current total cost of episodic care if the price of the concentrate were decreased by 50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prophylactic care markedly reduces the number of bleeding events and should prevent joint function impairment, but at substantial cost.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Brown University, Providence 02903, USA.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Teutsch
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Shaffer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rolka
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Evatt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018803:Models, Economic; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D005169:Factor VIII