Cost-effectiveness analysis of TNF-alpha blockers for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis in the perspective of the Italian health-care system.
The cost-effectiveness of biological treatments for psoriasis is not well determined and may vary from country to country. The objectives of this study was to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of infliximab compared with other anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha agents for the treatment of psoriasis in Italy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per patients achieving at least 75% improvement in the psoriasis area and severity index assessed over 24- and 48-50-week periods was calculated. Efficacy data were drawn from randomized controlled trials when available or from open label studies. Considering patients achieving psoriasis area and severity index at week 24 and 48-50, infliximab was dominant (more effective and less costly) over etanercept given at 50 mg twice weekly. In contrast, infliximab was not dominant over etanercept at other dosages or over adalimumab. When considering the impact of therapy on quality of life at Week 12 using the Dermatology Life Quality Index equal to zero, infliximab resulted more effective and less costly than etanercept. Therefore, infliximab seems to be cost-effective in the therapy of psoriasis. Further cost-efficacy evaluations based on head-to-head trials are necessary to address health economic considerations.
de Portu
Simona
S
CIRFF, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Naples, Federico II, Italy.
Del Giglio
Micol
M
Altomare
Gianfranco
G
Arcangeli
Fabio
F
Berardesca
Enzo
E
Calzavara-Pinton
Piergiacomo
P
Pinton
Piergiacomo Calzavara
PC
Lotti
Torello
T
Martini
Patrizia
P
Peserico
Andrea
A
Simonacci
Marco
M
Vena
Gino A
GA
Girolomoni
Giampiero
G
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D007558:Italy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept