Cost-effectiveness of early versus late cinacalcet treatment in addition to standard care for secondary renal hyperparathyroidism in the USA.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research was to estimate lifetime cost-effectiveness of treating patients with cinacalcet early (when parathyroid hormone [PTH] levels are in the range of 300-500 pg/ml) versus delaying treatment with cinacalcet (cinacalcet initiated when PTH levels are > 800 pg/ml) in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in the US setting.


METHODS
A Markov model was developed to simulate the effects of early versus delayed use of cinacalcet (plus standard of care). Four different PTH ranges (< or = 300 pg/ml; 301-500 pg/ml; 501-800 pg/ml; > 800 pg/ml) were used to represent four different health states within the Markov model. Associated with each Markov state (PTH range) were varying risks of major SHPT complications, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), fracture (Fx), and parathyroidectomy (PTx). Baseline cohort characteristics and risks of CVD, Fx, and PTx by PTH category were derived from a large US renal database and published sources. Costs were estimated from the US Renal Data System database and reported in 2006 US Dollars ($). Clinical and economic outcomes were discounted at 3.0% per annum.


RESULTS
Early treatment was projected to improve quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) by 0.337 years compared to delaying treatment. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $17,275 per QALY gained.


CONCLUSIONS
Early treatment with cinacalcet was associated with improvements in QALYs and would represent good value for money compared to delaying treatment with cinacalcet.
Ray
Joshua A
JA
Center for Outcomes Research, A Unit of IMS Health, Brussels, Belgium.
Borker
Rohit
R
Barber
Beth
B
Valentine
William J
WJ
Belozeroff
Vasily
V
Palmer
Andrew J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000069449:Cinacalcet; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D006962:Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008390:Markov Chains; D008875:Middle Aged; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
D009281:Naphthalenes; D000069449:Cinacalcet