Analytic approaches for the evaluation of costs.
Currently, economic evaluation of new medical therapies is conducted routinely. Development of an analysis plan before performance of the analysis is a first step in the analysis of data from such evaluations. Univariate analysis of costs can be performed with both parametric and nonparametric tests. Potential multivariable analyses include ordinary least squares regression, nonparametric hazard models, parametric failure time models, Cox semiparametric regression, and joint distributions of survival and cost. In addition to developing point estimates for economic outcomes, 95% confidence intervals for cost-effectiveness ratios should be developed to evaluate the level of uncertainty that surrounds these estimates. Sensitivity analysis should be used to address other sources of uncertainty.
Glick
H A
HA
Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA. Glthsvrs@mail.med.upenn.edu
Polsky
D
D
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000191:economics; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014481:United States