title: Cost-effectiveness of Liple (LipoPGE1) for arteriosclerosis obliterans patients in Japan: an economic evaluation using the EQ-5D instrument.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and cost-effectiveness of LipoPGE(1) when added to the conventional treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) patients. The research design consisted of a before and after-treatment study without comparison groups. We collected data from May 1999 through July 2001 at 473 institutions located throughout Japan. The subjects were ASO patients who experienced pain at rest or had ulcers of the extremities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The observation period was a 2-month period that commenced with the start of administration of LipoPGE1. The HRQOL score (utility value) was obtained from the EQ-5D instrument, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated on the basis of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean utility value for the 2 months after the start of the administration of LipoPGE(1) was 0.672, and it was a significantly higher (P<0.0001) than the 0.616 before administration of LipoPGE(1). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 18,807 US dollar/QALY assuming that drug efficacy persisted for 1 year after the end of LipoPGE1 therapy, and 75,227 dollar/QALY assuming a duration of just 3 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that when LipoPGE1 is added to the conventional treatment of ASO patients, the HRQOL of the patient improves, and it is highly cost-effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International University and Health Welfare, Otawara, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukuhara
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Esato
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001162:Arteriosclerosis Obliterans / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing / Q000191:economics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000527:Alprostadil