Cost effective analysis of ribosome-component immune modulation.
In childhood, recurrent airway infections are the most common cause for medical visits and hospitalizations. Their economic impact is considerable and their treatment accounts for a substantial quota of the health care budget. Despite documented efficacy and safety, ribosomal bacterial vaccine and membrane fraction use is still limited by being prevalently considered for prevention rather than treatment. The objective of this study was to analyze the economic benefit achieved with ribosomal immunotherapy. A review was performed of available literature data on economic parameters. Pharmacoeconomic studies published during the past few years showed how the use of ribosome component immune modulator is capable of reducing expenditure associated with treatment of recurrent respiratory infection and allows achievement of substantial savings in terms of cost, time, and loss of productivity. The initial cost of prevention in patients suffering from chronic respiratory infections is offset by a subsequent saving arising from less recurrence of disease. Direct management costs such as therapy courses, medical visits, medical exams, hospitalizations, etc., and indirect costs such as absence from school and work are not routinely considered by primary care physicians.
Fiocchi
Alessandro
A
Department of Child and Maternal Medicine, Melloni Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Olivieri
Dario
D
Marcassa
Sergio
S
Zava
D
D
Robberto
Elisa
E
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007155:Immunologic Factors; C034206:Ribomunyl