sFlt-1/PlGF ratio test for pre-eclampsia: an economic assessment for the UK.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the economic impact of introducing into clinical practice in the UK the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio test for guiding the management of pre-eclampsia.


METHODS
We used an economic model estimating the incremental value of information, from a UK National Health Service payer's perspective, generated by the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio test, compared with current diagnostic procedures, in guiding the management of women with suspected pre-eclampsia. The economic model estimated costs associated with the diagnosis and management of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women between 24 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks' gestation, managed in either a 'test' scenario in which the sFlt-1/PlGF test is used in addition to current diagnostic procedures, or a 'no-test' scenario in which clinical decisions are based on current diagnostic procedures alone. Test characteristics and resource use were derived from PROGNOSIS, a non-interventional study in women presenting with clinical suspicion of pre-eclampsia. The main outcome measure from the economic model was the cost per patient per episode of care, from first suspicion of pre-eclampsia to birth.


RESULTS
Introduction of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio test into clinical practice is expected to result in cost savings of £344 per patient compared with a no-test scenario. Savings are generated primarily through an improvement in diagnostic accuracy and subsequent reduction in unnecessary hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
Introducing the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio test into clinical practice in the UK was shown to be cost-saving by reducing unnecessary hospitalization of women at low risk of developing pre-eclampsia. In addition, the test ensures that those women at higher risk are identified and managed appropriately. © 2016 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
M
M
Vatish
Roche Diagnostics Ltd, Burgess Hill, UK.
T
T
Strunz-McKendry
Roche Diagnostics International Ltd, Rotkreuz, Switzerland.
M
M
Hund
Roche Diagnostics International Ltd, Rotkreuz, Switzerland.
D
D
Allegranza
Roche Diagnostics International Ltd, Rotkreuz, Switzerland.
C
C
Wolf
PAREXEL Access, PAREXEL, London, UK.
C
C
Smare
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018803:Models, Economic; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C098069:PIGF protein, human; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
cost-effectiveness; diagnosis; economic; hospitalization; model; pre-eclampsia; prediction; sFlt-1/PlGF