title: Cost-effectiveness analysis of 5-fluorouracil 0.5%/salicylic acid 10% in the treatment of actinic keratosis in Spain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of 5-fluorouracil 0.5%/salicylic acid 10% (5-FU/SA) in the treatment of isolated hyperkeratotic actinic keratosis lesions in Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analytical decision-making model was constructed to compare whether 5-FU/SA was a cost-effective option compared with cryotherapy from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System with a time horizon of 6 months. Costs were expressed in 2014 euros.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cost of patients with hyperkeratotic actinic keratosis treated with 5-FU/SA or cryotherapy was €266 and €285, respectively. 5-FU/SA was associated with higher rates of treatment success and, consequently, more quality-adjusted life years, than cryotherapy. Therefore, 5-FU/SA was the dominant treatment, as it was associated with a lower treatment cost and greater effectiveness than cryotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Economically, 5-FU/SA was a dominant option compared with cryotherapy in the treatment of isolated hyperkeratotic actinic keratosis lesions in Spain.
authors.affiliation: Oblikue Consulting, C/Josep Irla i Bosch, 5-7, 1a planta 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nieves
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puig-Peiró
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrándiz
authors.forename: Maria Josep
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Plazas
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brosa
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: 5-fluorouracil/salicylic acid; Spain; actinic keratosis; cost–effectiveness analysis; cryotherapy