[Cost-effectiveness of samarium-153-EDTMP for the treatment of pain due to multiple bone metastases in hormone-refractory prostate cancer versus conventional pain therapy, in Portugal].
BACKGROUND
Prostate cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In Portugal alone, according to a study published in 2003, the rate of new prostate cancer cases were 53 per 100,000 men (in 2000), with an age-standardized mortality rate of about 28 per 100,000 (in 1995). Multiple bone metastases are one of the major complications of advanced prostate cancer. Samarium-EDTMP showed to be a safe and effective alternative for palliative treatment of bone metastases. The goal of this economic study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of Samarium-153-EDTMP for the treatment of pain due to multiple bone metastases in hormone-refractory prostate cancer versus conventional pain therapy, in Portugal.


METHODS
Cost-effectiveness study that compares the expected direct costs to the National Health System of managing patients with painful multiple bone metastases with Samarium-153-EDTMP versus conventional pain therapy, in Portugal, in a 4-moths period.


RESULTS
The total direct 4 months cost was 2,311.91 euro for a patient treated with Samarium-153-EDTMP versus 2,450.74 euro for a patient under standard treatment. According to the model a patient treated with Samarium-153-EDTMP represents a 138.83 euros saving.


CONCLUSIONS
Samarium-153-EDTMP was not only a very effective therapeutic option but also an option with less cost than the conventional pain therapy, in patients with pain due to multiple bone metastases, in Portugal.
Macedo
Ana
A
Keypoint, Serviço de Urologia do Hospital Curry Cabral, Atomedical, Lisboa, Portugal.
Araújo
António
A
Melo
Fernando Carvalho
FC
Nunes
Garção
G
Cantinho
Guilhermina
G
Amorin
Inêz
I
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000556:secondary*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D011174:Portugal; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D017211:Treatment Failure
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; C061972:samarium Sm-153 lexidronam