A model for undertaking effectiveness and cost-effectiveness analyses of primary preventive strategies in cardiovascular disease.
BACKGROUND
Clinical trials generally provide strong evidence of the efficacy of cardiovascular preventive strategies, but poor evidence of their 'real-life' utility, in terms of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.


METHODS
The Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Model is presented, which represents a means of extrapolating the results of clinical trials to a broader, more relevant context. The model is configured as a decision-analysis tree, and underpinned by life-course analysis and Markov processes. Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses are undertaken by Monte Carlo simulation.


RESULTS
The results of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness analyses of a hypothetical preventive intervention are presented to demonstrate the outputs of the model. The potential impact and efficiency of the intervention are made obvious.


CONCLUSIONS
The Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Model offers a means to translate the results of trials of cardiovascular preventive interventions, in order to inform clinical and public health practice, as well as health policy.
Liew
Danny
D
NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Therapeutics, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. danny.liew@med.monash.edu.au
Lim
Stephen S
SS
Bertram
Melanie
M
McNeil
John J
JJ
Vos
Theo
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014739:Victoria