title: Cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and cost-benefit studies in rheumatology: a review of the literature, 2001-2002.
abstract: Economic analyses of prevention and treatment interventions in rheumatology are potentially powerful tools for evaluating many complex decisions facing clinical and public policy makers. Cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and cost-benefit analyses allow for the assessment of the trade-offs between expended resources and expected health benefits. This review describes 12 cost-effectiveness analyses done in the past year. Each relates to a different intervention for a variety of rheumatologic conditions including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, the use of cyclooxygenase-II inhibitors, infected total joint replacements, back pain, and Lyme disease. While cost-effectiveness analyses of the use of the new biologic agents in rheumatoid arthritis have been presented at national meetings, these have yet to be published. Proper use of cost-effectiveness analysis could provide valuable evidence about treatment decisions for clinical and public policy makers in rheumatology.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Mallik N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Tella
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feinglass
authors.forename: Rowland W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States