title: Cost effectiveness of lanthanum carbonate in chronic kidney disease patients in Spain before and during dialysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Spain, the first line treatment of hyperphosphatemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) consists of calcium-based phosphate binders (CB). However, their use is associated with vascular calcification and an increased mortality risk. The aim of this study was to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness of second-line Lanthanum Carbonate (LC) treatment in patients not responding to CB (calcium carbonate and calcium acetate).
  
  
  METHODS
  A lifetime Markov model was developed considering three health states (predialysis, dialysis and death). Transitions between states and efficacy data were obtained from randomized clinical trials and the European Dialysis and Transplant Association Annual report. Mortality rate was adjusted with the relative risk related to serum phosphorus levels. According to the Spanish healthcare system perspective, only medical direct costs were considered. Dialysis costs (2013 prices in Euros) were obtained from diagnosis-related groups. Drug costs were derived from ex-factory prices, adjusted with 7.5% mandatory rebate. Quality of life estimates were based on a published systematic review. Costs and benefits were discounted at 3%. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of simulation, costs per patient with LC therapy were <euro>1,169 and <euro>5,044 with CB alone. 4.653 Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) were gained per patient treated with LC, and 4.579 QALYs with CB. CB therapy is dominated by the LC strategy (i.e. lower costs, higher QALYs). Assuming a <euro>30,000/QALY threshold, LC was dominant in 100% of PSA simulations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LC is a cost-effective second line treatment of hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients irrespective of dialysis status in Spain.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research Iberia (PORIB), Madrid, Spain, bgros@porib.com.
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gros
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galán
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: González-Parra
authors.forename: Jose A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Herrero
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Echave
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vegter
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tolley
authors.forename: Itziar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oyagüez