title: Economic evaluation of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a highly expensive clinical intervention with considerable therapeutic benefit but serious adverse effects on health status in some circumstances. Consequently, it is an important target for economic evaluation in which the  monetary costs and clinical consequences of optional treatment strategies are compared. The need for such formal assessment is further demanded by the expanded use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation globally, including its utilization in developing countries. With respect to costs,  those incurred by patients and families are often substantial, while those incurred by hospitals may be inadequately reimbursed. Determination of consequences should not be limited to measurements of clinical effectiveness but rather include adjustments for quality of life. Rigorous economic  evaluation can provide hard evidence in deliberations of value for money, especially in the context of limited resources for health care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, 1280 Main St West, Hamilton, Ont. L8S 4K1, Canada. rbarr@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Ronald D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Barr
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003906:Developing Countries; D005060:Europe; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D014481:United States