title: Cost-effectiveness of transdermal nitroglycerin use for preterm labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of using transdermal nitroglycerin (GTN) for cases of preterm labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 153 women with clinical preterm labor, who were randomly allocated to either a GTN or placebo arm. All randomized cases were included in the final economic analysis. Differences between the two arms in gestational age at delivery, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, length of NICU stay, and NICU cost were assessed. Costs for non-NICU cases were calculated using Ottawa Hospital data through the Ontario Case Costing Initiative (OCCI). Cost-effectiveness and sensitivity analyses using a hospital perspective were both conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 153 randomized cases, 55 babies were admitted to NICU (GTN = 24; placebo = 31). We found no significant differences between the two arms in gestational age at delivery, NICU admission rate (32.4% vs. 39.2%), NICU length of stay (42.7 days vs. 52.8 days), or NICU cost (CAN $34,306 vs. CAN $44,326). Overall, (based on all randomized cases) the cost-effectiveness analyses showed that the GTN arm was the dominant strategy, with both lower cost (CAN $13,397 vs. CAN $18,427) and higher NICU admission avoided rate (67.6% vs. 60.8%) compared to the placebo arm. This dominance persisted in all sensitivity analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of GTN patch for preterm labor could reduce NICU costs, while improving important neonatal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: OMNI Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Yanfang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Rihua
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Shi Wu
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Mark C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Graeme N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000191:economics*; D007902:Length of Stay; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000191:economics*; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D005996:Nitroglycerin