TY - JOUR

T1 - A cost-effectiveness analysis of immunotherapy with SQ allergen extract for patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in selected European countres

AU - Keiding, Hans

AU - Jørgensen, Kasper P.

PY - 2007

Y1 - 2007

N2 - Background: Seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis can, for some people, reduce quality of life and the ability to cope with everyday tasks. Scope: In this paper we investigate the cost-effectiveness of immunization therapy with Alutard SQ (ASQ) and compare the cost-effectiveness in countries where the therapy has been in use in order to assess the impact of national therapeutic practices on the results of health economic assessments. Data are obtained from a clinical trial carried out in 2001-2002. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of immunization we have added data on resource use in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Findings: The computations result in cost-effectiveness ratios for allergen immunization between €10 000 and €20 000 per QALY even without provision for indirect costs, and achieving dominance in most countries where indirect costs have also been taken into account. The country comparisons show that the direct cost of administrating the up-dosing and maintenance differs considerably between countries, and that the cost of medical staff is substantial, constituting in most cases more than half of the direct costs of the immunization therapy. Conclusion: The study shows that immunotherapy with SQ allergen extract is cost-effective in a wide range of national environments, and that cost-effectiveness differences by country are largely a result of different practices in the up-dosing phase.

AB - Background: Seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis can, for some people, reduce quality of life and the ability to cope with everyday tasks. Scope: In this paper we investigate the cost-effectiveness of immunization therapy with Alutard SQ (ASQ) and compare the cost-effectiveness in countries where the therapy has been in use in order to assess the impact of national therapeutic practices on the results of health economic assessments. Data are obtained from a clinical trial carried out in 2001-2002. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of immunization we have added data on resource use in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Findings: The computations result in cost-effectiveness ratios for allergen immunization between €10 000 and €20 000 per QALY even without provision for indirect costs, and achieving dominance in most countries where indirect costs have also been taken into account. The country comparisons show that the direct cost of administrating the up-dosing and maintenance differs considerably between countries, and that the cost of medical staff is substantial, constituting in most cases more than half of the direct costs of the immunization therapy. Conclusion: The study shows that immunotherapy with SQ allergen extract is cost-effective in a wide range of national environments, and that cost-effectiveness differences by country are largely a result of different practices in the up-dosing phase.

U2 - 10.1185/030079907X187865

DO - 10.1185/030079907X187865

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 17519078

VL - 23

SP - 1113

EP - 1120

JO - Current Medical Research and Opinion, Supplement

JF - Current Medical Research and Opinion, Supplement

SN - 0141-9951

IS - 5

ER -