Cost-Effectiveness of Oral Anticoagulants for Ischemic Stroke Prophylaxis Among Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients.
The objective of the study is to compare the cost-effectiveness of oral anticoagulants among atrial fibrillation patients at an increased stroke risk.



A Markov model was constructed to project the lifetime costs and quality-adjusted survival (QALYs) of oral anticoagulants using a private payer's perspective. The distribution of stroke risk (CHADS2 score: congestive heart failure, hypertension, advanced age, diabetes mellitus, stroke) and age of the modeled population was derived from a cohort of commercially insured patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation. Probabilities of treatment specific events were derived from published clinical trials. Event and downstream costs were determined from the cost of illness studies. Drug costs were obtained from 2015 National Average Drug Acquisition Cost data.



In the base case analysis, warfarin was the least costly ($46 241; 95% CI, 44 499-47 874) and apixaban had the highest QALYs (9.38; 95% CI, 9.24-9.48 QALYs). Apixaban was found to be a cost-effective strategy over warfarin (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio=$25 816) and dominated other anticoagulants. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that apixaban had at least a 61% chance of being the most cost-effective strategy at willingness to pay value of $100 000 per QALY. Among patients with CHADS2 ≥3, dabigatran was the dominant strategy. The model was sensitive to efficacy estimates of apixaban, dabigatran, and edoxaban and the cost of these drugs.



All the newer oral anticoagulants compared were more effective than adjusted dosed warfarin. Our model showed that apixaban was the most effective anticoagulant in a general atrial fibrillation population and has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio <$50 000/QALY. For those with higher stroke risk (CHADS2≥3), dabigatran was the most cost-effective treatment option.
From the Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Anuj
A
Shah
From the Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Anand
A
Shewale
From the Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Corey J
CJ
Hayes
From the Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock. bmartin@uams.edu.
Bradley C
BC
Martin
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D000069604:Dabigatran / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011725:Pyridines / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011728:Pyridones / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012306:Risk; D000069552:Rivaroxaban / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014859:Warfarin / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D011720:Pyrazoles; D011725:Pyridines; D011728:Pyridones; D013844:Thiazoles; C522181:apixaban; D014859:Warfarin; D000069552:Rivaroxaban; D000069604:Dabigatran; C552171:edoxaban
anticoagulants; atrial fibrillation; cost-effectiveness; quality-adjusted life years; stroke