[Assessment of non-ionic contrast agents in reducing the risk of side effects: analysis on the basis of voluntary willingness-to-pay measured by the contingent valuation method].
The benefit of replacing ionic contrast agents with non-ionic ones was assessed by employing cost-benefit analysis, a method of medical economic analysis. The benefit derived from replacing ionic with non-ionic contrast agents was assessed by a questionnaire survey of patients using the willingness-to-pay method based on the contingent valuation method. This questionnaire survey was conducted on 204 patients in Shimane Medical University Hospital during the period from October to December 1998. The result of analysis showed that when ionic contrast agents are replaced with non-ionic ones, patients' willingness-to-pay stands at a median value of 12,500 yen and a mean value of 17,082 +/- 1,049 yen. These figures are identical with or larger than the NHI-price differences (12,266-14,234 yen; average 13,287 yen), suggesting that patients think the benefit of reduced side effects from non-ionic contrast agents has a value that is equal to or higher than the actual NHI-prices of these agents. Further, analysis of patient profiles indicated that patients' willingness-to-pay went up with age and income but decreased when age exceeded 60 years, a finding which also suggests that the willingness-to-pay amount is closely related to the economic strength of patients.
Sugimura
K
K
Department of Radiology, Shimane Medical University.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003287:Contrast Media