title: [Structural sensitivity analysis].
abstract: The aim of this study was to perform a structural sensitivity analysis of a decision model and to identify its advantages and limitations. A previously published model of dinoprostone was modified, taking two scenarios into account: eliminating postpartum hemorrhages and including both hemorrhages and uterine hyperstimulation among the adverse effects. The result of the structural sensitivity analysis shows the robustness of the underlying model and confirmed the initial results: the intrauterine device is more cost-effective than intracervical dinoprostone gel. Structural sensitivity analyses should be congruent with the situation studied and clinically validated. Although uncertainty may be only slightly reduced, these analyses provide information and add greater validity and reliability to the model.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Dr Moliner, Serra, Valencia, España. javier_carrera2690@yahoo.es
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Carrera-Hueso
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramón-Barrios
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000191:economics; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated / Q000191:economics; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D018803:Models, Economic; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D035501:Uncertainty; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D010120:Oxytocics; D015232:Dinoprostone