Cost-effectiveness of simvastatin versus cholestyramine: results for Sweden.
Cost-effectiveness ratios were estimated for each of 2 plasma cholesterol-lowering drug therapies, the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin and the well established cholestyramine, in comparison with a nonpreventive drug treatment alternative.  The study was confined to Swedish men (aged 37 to 64 years at start of therapy) with total serum cholesterol levels above 6.2 mmol/L who were free of coronary artery disease (CAD).  Costs included expected direct costs of plasma cholesterol-lowering treatment less expected savings resulting from preventing CAD.  Effects were defined as changes in life expectancy.  A discount rate of 5% and Swedish kronor (SEK) 1988 prices were used.  The impact on CAD risks was calculated using multivariate logistic risk estimates from the Framingham Heart Study; Swedish estimates were used to calculate intervention costs and changes in healthcare costs.  Over the range of cholesterol levels examined (6.2 to 9.8 mmol/L), simvastatin was consistently more cost-effective than cholestyramine.
Department of Economics, Lund University, Sweden.
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Hjalte
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Lindgren
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Persson
D000328:Adult; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin / Q000191:economics; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D013548:Sweden