[Cost-effectiveness of atorvastatin for the prevention of coronary disease. An analysis of the ASCOT study].
BACKGROUND
Increasing health service expenditure, on the one hand, and the politically declared objective of stability of statutory contributions and restriction of public funds, on the other hand, have been central points in the political and social discussion for several years.


METHODS
Cost-effectiveness of Atorvastatin in primary prevention was analysed by applying the results of the Anglo Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT study) to the German health system. Costs and effectiveness were subject to an extensive sensitivity analysis.


RESULTS
The cost-effectiveness of Atorvastatin treatment in Germany is approximately 10,102 Euro (95% CI: 9109; 12,881) per life-year gained. Taking 2004 price reductions into consideration, these values are reduced to 7311 Euro [95% CI: 5197; 10,091) per life-year gained. The robustness of this result was substantiated through extensive sensitivity analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of the lipid lowering compound Atorvastatin in hypertensive patients with additional coronary heart disease risk factors in Germany is cost-effective.
Szucs
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TD
ECPM Research, University Hospital, Basel. thomas.szucs@unibas.ch
Klose
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G
Düsing
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin