title: Cost-utility and cost-benefit analyses: how did we get here and where are we going?
abstract: Cost-utility and cost-benefit analyses are currently the only tools available for evaluating whether the cost of an intervention is a good use of resources when compared with other ways that money could be spent on health care (allocative efficiency). Cost-utility analyses assess health in terms of length and quality of life using the quality adjusted life year whilst cost-benefit analyses measure health in monetary terms. The measurement of health gain with either approach has a number of problems and the accuracy of these measures is uncertain. Cost-benefit analysis has certain advantages when measuring improvements in mild diseases such as irritable bowel disease and dyspepsia, which are common problems in gastroenterology. The results of cost-benefit analysis may provide more transparent guidance for policy makers, doctors and patients.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Division, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; and Centre for Health Services Research, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. maoyyep@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moayyedi
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mason
mesh_terms: D003361:Cost Allocation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000191:economics; D017048:Health Care Costs; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000379:methods; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years