title: The cost effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori eradication versus maintenance and episodic treatment in duodenal ulcer patients in Sweden.
abstract: This study compares the cost effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori eradication and conventional treatment in duodenal ulcer patients treated by a general practitioner. Using a Markov chain approach, Swedish cost data and a study period of 5 years, we conclude that H. pylori eradication with omeprazole and appropriate antibiotics is a cost-effective alternative compared with both maintenance and episodic treatment. Of the patients entering the eradication strategy, most are cured and will have no relapse during a 5-year period. H. pylori eradication results in higher initial costs but, because of a very low risk of recurrence after successful eradication, the expected future costs are reduced. The investment pays off within 1 year when compared with maintenance treatment, and within 3 years when compared with episodic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Sandviken Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Unge
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jönsson
authors.forename: N O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Stålhammar
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003663:Decision Trees; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008390:Markov Chains; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D013548:Sweden