title: Cost-effectiveness of bronchial thermoplasty in commercially-insured patients with poorly controlled, severe, persistent asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the cost-effectiveness of treating poorly controlled, severe, persistent asthma patients with bronchial thermoplasty (BT), a novel technology that uses thermal energy to reduce airway smooth muscle mass, with 5-year outcome data demonstrating a durable reduction in asthma exacerbations.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis assessing 5-year healthcare utilization, patient quality of life and adverse events.
  
  
  METHODS
  We utilized Markov modeling to estimate the costs and quality-of-life impact of BT compared with high-dose combination therapy among poorly controlled, severe, persistent asthma patients: those requiring high-dose combination therapy and having experienced an asthma exacerbation-related ER visit in the past year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cost-effectiveness of BT was US$5495 per quality-adjusted life year; and approximately 22% of sensitivity analysis iterations estimated BT to reduce costs and increase quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BT is a cost-effective treatment option for patients with poorly controlled, severe, persistent asthma.
authors.affiliation: Boston Scientific Corporation, Marlborough, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cangelosi
authors.forename: Jesse D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ortendahl
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Meckley
authors.forename: Tanya G K
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: Ayanna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Anene
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Shriner
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008390:Markov Chains; D018803:Models, Economic; D011788:Quality of Life; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: asthma; bronchial thermoplasty; bronchoscopy; cost–effectiveness; respiratory disease