title: Cost-effectiveness of rituximab in refractory cold agglutinin disease.
abstract: Cold haemagglutinin disease (CHAD) is an uncommon condition frequently associated with B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders and is refractory to conventional treatments used in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Rituximab has been used in this condition with favourable and lasting responses. Cost has been a major limitation to its use in such indication. We present cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of rituximab in two patients with CHAD. Rituximab successfully controlled haemolysis in both cases of CHAD and was found to be cost-effective through reducing transfusion needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, UK.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Panwar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Cullis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab