Economic Evaluation of Intravenous Immunoglobulin plus Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Steroid-Resistant Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy in Thailand.
OBJECTIVE
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been recommended for steroid-resistant chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). The treatment, however, is very costly to healthcare system, and there remains no evidence of its economic justifiability. This study aimed to conduct an economic evaluation (EE) of IVIG plus corticosteroids in steroid-resistant CIDP in Thailand.


METHODS
A Markov model was constructed to estimate the lifetime costs and outcomes for IVIG plus corticosteroids in comparison with immunosuppressants plus corticosteroids in steroid-resistant CIDP patients from a societal perspective. Efficacy and utility data were obtained from clinical literature, meta-analyses, medical record reviews, and patient interviews. Cost data were obtained from list prices, an electronic hospital database, published source, and patient interviews. All costs [in 2015 US dollars (US$)] and outcomes were discounted at 3 % annually. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted.


RESULTS
In the base-case, the incremental costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of IVIG plus corticosteroids versus immunosuppressants plus corticosteroids were US$2112.02 and 1.263 QALYs, respectively, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of US$1672.71 per QALY gained. Sensitivity analyses revealed that the utility value of disabled patients was the greatest influence on ICER. At a societal willingness-to-pay threshold in Thailand of US$4672 per QALY gained, IVIG plus corticosteroids had a 92.1 % probability of being cost effective.


CONCLUSIONS
At a threshold of US$4672 per QALY gained, IVIG plus corticosteroids is considered a cost-effective treatment for steroid-resistant CIDP patients in Thailand.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Naruemon
N
Bamrungsawad
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Nilawan
N
Upakdee
Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Chayanin
C
Pratoomsoot
Center of Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Rosarin
R
Sruamsiri
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.|Center of Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Piyameth
P
Dilokthornsakul
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Supinya
S
Dechanont
School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 46150, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
David Bin-Chia
DB
Wu
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Charungthai
C
Dejthevaporn
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand. nathorn.chaiyakunapruk@monash.edu.|Center of Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand. nathorn.chaiyakunapruk@monash.edu.|School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 46150, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia. nathorn.chaiyakunapruk@monash.edu.|School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. nathorn.chaiyakunapruk@monash.edu.|School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. nathorn.chaiyakunapruk@monash.edu.
Nathorn
N
Chaiyakunapruk
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D016527:Drug Costs; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008390:Markov Chains; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013785:Thailand
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids