title: Economic evaluation of different screening alternatives for patients with clinically suspected acute deep vein thrombosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined the cost-effectiveness of the three different D-dimer measurements in the screening of DVT in models with and without calculation of pre-test probability (PTP) score. Moreover, we calculated the minimal cost in DVT detection.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the group of 192 patients with clinically suspected acute DVT, we examined the three different D-dimer measurements (Innovance D-dimer, Hemosil D-dimer HS and Vidas D-dimer Exclusion II) in combination with and without PTP assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diagnostic alternative employing Vidas D-dimer Exclusion II assay without and with PTP calculation gave lower incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) than the alternative employing Hemosil D-dimer HS assay (0.187 Euros vs. 0.998 Euros per one additional DVT positive patient selected for CUS in model without PTP assessment and 0.450 vs. 0.753 Euros per one DVT positive patient selected for CUS in model with PTP assessment). According to sensitivity analysis, the Hemosil D-dimer HS assay was the most cost effective alternative when one patient was admitted to the vascular ambulance per day. Vidas D-dimer Exclusion II assay was the most cost effective alternative when more than one patient were admitted to the vascular ambulance per day. Cost minimisation analysis indicated that selection of patients according to PTP score followed by D-dimer analysis decreases the cost of DVT diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICER analysis enables laboratories to choose optimal laboratory tests according to number of patients admitted to laboratory. Results support the feasibility of using PTP scoring and D-dimer measurement before CUS examination in DVT screening.
authors: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Serbia. naca@pharmacy.bg.ac.rs
authors: Natasa
authors: N
authors: Bogavac-Stanojević
authors: Violeta
authors: V
authors: Dopsaj
authors: Zorana
authors: Z
authors: Jelić-Ivanović
authors: Dragana
authors: D
authors: Lakić
authors: Dragan
authors: D
authors: Vasić
authors: Guenka
authors: G
authors: Petrova
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / Q000191:economics*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D