Economic analysis of cinacalcet in combination with low-dose vitamin D versus flexible-dose vitamin D in treating secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients.
BACKGROUND
The ACHIEVE (Optimizing the Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism: A Comparison of Sensipar and Low Dose Vitamin D vs Escalating Doses of Vitamin D Alone) trial evaluated the efficacy of treatment with cinacalcet plus low-dose activated vitamin D analogues (Cinacalcet-D) compared with vitamin D analogues alone (Flex-D) in attaining KDOQI (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative) targets for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). The economic implications of these treatment regimens have not been explored.


METHODS
Economic analysis of SHPT treatment in hemodialysis patients.


METHODS
This analysis used data from the ACHIEVE trial, in which patients received either Cinacalcet-D or Flex-D.


METHODS
We assessed the relative cost-effectiveness of these regimens in treating SHPT during the 27-week ACHIEVE trial, using a US payer perspective, with medication costs valued in 2006 US dollars. INTERVENTION & OUTCOMES: Relative cost-effectiveness was assessed using cost-minimization analysis or incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Effectiveness was measured using biochemical markers.


RESULTS
Mean medication costs per patient were $5,852 and $4,332 for the Cinacalcet-D and Flex-D treatment arms, respectively. There were no significant differences for the primary end point (parathyroid hormone level of 150-300 pg/mL and calcium-phosphorus product < 55 mg²/dL²) and several of the secondary end points, rendering Cinacalcet-D more costly than Flex-D. For secondary end points, for which Cinacalcet-D was more effective, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ranged from $2,957 (calcium < 9.5 mg/dL) to $22,028 (all KDOQI targets) per patient reaching target. Switching to generic calcitriol would have increased the cost difference between treatment arms ($2,079), whereas switching sevelamer to lanthanum decreased the difference ($1,426).


CONCLUSIONS
Costs and outcomes were derived from a short-term randomized controlled trial and were protocol driven. Clinical outcomes, such as mortality, were not available. Long-term economic conclusions cannot be drawn from these data.


CONCLUSIONS
Cinacalcet combined with vitamin D analogues was no more effective than vitamin D analogues in achieving the primary ACHIEVE end point and incurred greater costs. This conclusion was not tempered substantially by the cost of vitamin D analogues or oral phosphate binders. Whether the additional costs of cinacalcet are warranted will require longer term models to determine whether changes in serum levels of mineral metabolic markers translate into lower morbidity, mortality, and downstream costs.
Shireman
Theresa I
TI
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and the Landon Center on Aging, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. tshireman@kumc.edu
Almehmi
Ammar
A
Wetmore
James B
JB
Lu
John
J
Pregenzer
Mark
M
Quarles
L Darryl
LD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D000069449:Cinacalcet; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D009281:Naphthalenes; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium; D000069449:Cinacalcet