Cost-effectiveness analysis of surgery versus conservative treatment for uncomplicated varicose veins in a randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Despite being a common procedure, the cost effectiveness of surgery for varicose veins has not been established.


METHODS
Cost-effectiveness analysis was carried out alongside a randomized clinical trial at two vascular units within National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. Some 246 patients with uncomplicated varicose veins and evidence of saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal reflux were allocated randomly to receive either conservative management or surgical treatment. Incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained at 24 months following randomization was calculated.


RESULTS
Total NHS costs during the 2-year study period were higher for the surgically treated group (733 UK pounds) than for those who had conservative treatment (345 UK pounds). The difference in costs was statistically significant. The mean incremental health gain from surgical treatment at 24 months was 0.083 QALYs, leading to a base-case estimate of 4682 UK pounds per QALY gained. Assuming an implicit threshold maximum willingness-to-pay value of 20 000 UK pounds for a QALY, the probability of surgical treatment for varicose veins falling below this threshold value was 70 per cent. This result was found to be robust to sensitivity analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
For patients with uncomplicated varicose veins and evidence of saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal reflux, surgical treatment for varicose veins offers a modest health benefit for relatively little additional NHS cost relative to conservative treatment.
Ratcliffe
J
J
Health Economics and Decision Science, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK. j.ratcliffe@sheffield.ac.uk
Brazier
J E
JE
Campbell
W B
WB
Palfreyman
S
S
MacIntyre
J B
JB
Michaels
J A
JA
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery