A cost-effectiveness analysis of epoetin usage for patients with AIDS.
Epoetin (recombinant human erythropoietin) therapy for patients with AIDS may reduce the need for blood transfusion; however, it is expensive.  We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of epoetin for AIDS patients from a healthcare system perspective.  We constructed a decision analysis model using probability, outcome and cost data from the literature and hospital sources.  The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was measured in dollars per unit of blood saved.  In AIDS patients undergoing transfusion with serum epoetin concentrations less than or equal to 500 U/L treatment with epoetin cost $US1007 per unit of blood saved compared with treatment without epoetin.  One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was sensitive to the efficacy and unit price of epoetin, but less sensitive to the current price cap determined by the distributor.
Cantor
S B
SB
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Department of Internal Medicine.
Carson
R W
RW
Spann
S J
SJ
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003663:Decision Trees; D016527:Drug Costs; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans