Articles tagged with Cost Effectiveness
A new gene expression profiling assay has been developed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The assay can differentiate between three major subtypes associated with different outcomes, including germinal center B-cell-like and activated B-cell-like subtypes.
A UK-wide PrEP programme would be cost-effective, preventing up to one in four HIV cases. The study estimates savings of up to £1 billion over 80 years as a result of fewer men needing lifelong HIV treatment.
The global Guinea Worm Eradication Programme is highly cost-effective in preventing the spread of guinea worm disease, with a financial cost of $0.0176 per capita per year. The programme's cost-effectiveness exceeds that of no intervention or minimal intervention scenarios, making it a valuable investment for disease prevention.
A new national report provides comprehensive guidelines for innovative water-saving techniques, emphasizing safe expansion of water reuse systems. Decentralized non-potable water systems, which use local water sources, are highlighted as a promising approach to reduce water consumption by up to 50 percent.
A Massachusetts General Hospital analysis shows that achieving the treatment targets of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy by 2020 would prevent hundreds of thousands of new infections and deaths. Meeting NHAS goals would also demonstrate excellent value, with a cost-effectiveness ratio of $68,900 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY).
A new study by QUT suggests that toll roads and tunnels can be made more cost-effective by putting a dollar value on the savings from traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution. The research found that governments should consider benefits beyond financial analysis when deciding on infrastructure investment.
A three-day training programme called the Lightning Process has been shown to improve physical function and reduce symptoms in children with chronic fatigue syndrome. The study, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, suggests that the LP is more effective when combined with specialist medical care.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a method to make stacks of semiconductors just a few atoms thick, offering a simple and cost-effective way to produce thin, uniform layers. This breakthrough could enable the creation of smaller, faster electronics with unique properties.
Researchers have developed a measurement-device-independent QKD system using readily available hardware, enabling provably secure communication. The system can generate secret keys at high rates and spans distances of over 100km.
A NIH study found three interventions in emergency departments save lives and are cost-effective relative to usual care. Postcards, telephone outreach, and cognitive behavioral therapy reduce patients' suicide risk by 30-50% and are cost-effective options.
A new study suggests that coastal marine ecosystems can be better managed with restoration instead of protection on limited budgets, according to researchers from the University of Queensland. The model compared scenarios of restoration versus protection and found that active marine restoration may be the most cost-effective way over d...
Two studies provide strong evidence that lowering systolic blood pressure to 120 mmHg is well-tolerated by patients and cost-effective. Participants on intensive therapy reported feeling as well as those receiving standard blood pressure control, and were equally satisfied with their care.
A study published in JAMA Network finds that newer LDL-C reducing drugs are not cost-effective at current prices. To meet cost-effectiveness thresholds, prices would need to be reduced by more than two-thirds, according to a recent trial finding that these drugs reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center questions the effectiveness of risk-reducing mastectomy for women with BRCA mutations who have already had ovarian cancer. The procedure is found to be cost-effective only for women diagnosed between 40-50 years old and at least five years post-ovarian cancer diagnosis.
A new study suggests that lung cancer screening programs targeting high-risk people could reduce costs while saving lives. The research found that focusing on high-risk individuals could reduce the number of people who need to be screened by over 80%, making the program more cost-effective.
A new study found that behavioral 'nudges' are highly cost-effective in boosting retirement savings, college enrollment and vaccination rates, often yielding more returns than traditional interventions. Nudges encourage certain behaviors without restricting options or exacting financial penalties.
A statistical analysis of HIV/AIDS interventions in South Africa reveals significant disparities between rural and urban areas. The study found that earlier access to interventions is crucial in rural areas due to cultural factors such as stigmatization.
A QUT study found that drivers can respond safely to emergency situations despite multiple road signs displayed at the same location. Drivers correctly chose their destination regardless of single or multiple signs, and reaction times were not significantly affected.
The study suggests that patients with rheumatoid arthritis should use a combination of drugs known as triple therapy instead of biologic therapy, due to the high costs involved. The analysis found that triple therapy is as effective as switching directly to biologics, but at a significantly lower cost.
A study by Stanford Medicine researchers identifies cost-effective ways to combat HIV risk among intravenous drug users, with opioid agonist therapy and needle-syringe exchange programs showing high value. The study also found that combining these methods could avert up to 40,000 HIV infections over 20 years.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS developed a first flat lens for immersion microscopy, providing a cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture alternative to the expensive hand polishing technique. This innovation enhances biological imaging capabilities by enabling the capture of fine detailed geometrical information of objects.
Analyzing four initial diagnostic protocols for asymptomatic microscopic hematuria, researchers found that combining renal ultrasound and cystoscopy was the most cost-effective approach. This method reduced incremental cancer detection costs by $53,810 per case.
The NICE-recommended 'budget impact test' aims to slow-track technologies costing the NHS over £20m a year, but experts say it's flawed and discriminatory. The test prioritizes cost-effectiveness over patient needs, potentially leading to widespread harms.
A new protocol has been shown to be safe and effective in assessing older people who have fallen. The guidelines reduce further 999 calls and left fewer people without continuing care after their fall by 11%.
Coral ecosystems in West Maui's northern reefs have declined by 20% due to sediment runoff, compromising corals' ability to photosynthesize. Researchers found that cooperation among landowners results in more cost-efficient and ecologically effective outcomes than individual actions.
A cost-effectiveness study on selective biopsy of the sentinel ganglion in cutaneous melanoma found no improvement in health outcomes. The technique is not recommended over removing the primary tumour followed by monitoring, regardless of tumour thickness or timeframe.
Researchers find that mosquito mesh is a cost-effective alternative to commercial mesh for groin hernia repair. The study's lead author advocates for further research on implementation, safety, and training to bring high-quality surgery to millions of people in need.
A new study suggests that implementing taxes on unhealthy foods like sugar, salt, and saturated fats could save Australia $3.4 billion in healthcare costs over the lifetime of its population. The study found that combining these taxes with subsidies on fruits and vegetables would lead to significant health gains and cost savings.
Following screening guidelines for HCC in cirrhotic patients significantly increases life expectancy, with a 5-month average gain compared to 'real life' monitoring. Cost-effectiveness analysis reveals that standardized surveillance is cost-effective at $1754/yr per life year gained in French costs and $32,415/yr in US costs.
A new stop-smoking program using personalized disease risk analysis doubled the likelihood of smokers attending a smoking cessation course. The program's success rate was found to be around 28.7% among those who attended both the taster session and the full six-week course.
A government-supported policy to reduce salt consumption is projected to be highly cost-effective across the world, saving nearly 6 million life-years currently lost to cardiovascular disease each year. The study found that such a program would save at an average cost of $204 per life-year saved.
A government-backed policy to reduce salt intake by 10% over 10 years is projected to avert approximately 5.8 million disability-adjusted life years per year globally. The estimated average cost effectiveness ratio of the 10-year intervention is around $204 per DALY saved, comparable to many drugs used to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Research finds that pembrolizumab is a cost-effective first-line treatment for advanced melanoma, offering improved survival and progression-free rates compared to ipilimumab and cytotoxic chemotherapy. The study suggests that healthcare authorities should consider including pembrolizumab as a reimbursable item in the public setting.
The first licensed vaccine for the potentially life-threatening dengue virus is predicted to be most cost-effective and effective in reducing the burden of dengue disease in moderate-to-high impacted regions. Routine vaccination could reduce hospital rates by up to 25% in these areas.
A new study estimates that the CYD-TDV vaccine can reduce dengue disease burden by 6-25% in areas with moderate to high transmission intensity. However, it may increase hospitalizations for dengue disease in low-transmission settings. The vaccine is potentially cost-effective if priced competitively.
A new study found that plastic stents provide similar outcomes to metal stents in patients with resectable malignant biliary obstruction. The study suggests that plastic stents may be a more cost-effective option, making them a preferable choice for patients with this condition.
A study assesses the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery for adolescents with severe obesity, finding it may be cost-effective over 5 years but not initially. Bariatric surgery can result in life-altering weight loss and improved quality of life.
Researchers found that adding NIPS for fetal chromosomal abnormalities to the current prenatal testing strategy in Quebec would reduce the number of amniocentesis procedures performed by about 90 percent. The Serum Integrated option, followed by NIPS for women at high risk, was the most cost-effective approach.
Researchers at USC Fertility found modified natural cycle IVF to be a cost-effective fertility method, saving up to $7,000 per live birth compared to conventional IVF. This approach takes less time and is gentler on the body, making it more accessible to younger patients.
A study found that universal newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is generally associated with cost savings or is essentially cost-neutral, satisfying criteria for newborn screening. The cost of identifying one case of cCMV was estimated to be between $566 and $10,000.
Researchers analyzed costs and benefits of controlling giant hogweed in Germany to inform policymakers. They found that eradication strategies depend on period length and can have significant societal impacts. The study provides a guideline for assessing invasive species control in European countries.
The osteotome technique provides a gentle method for immediate dental implant placement, retaining total bone mass and improving its quality. This technique also allows for increased tactile sensitivity, minimally invasive procedures, and faster prosthetic restoration.
The Second Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine developed new recommendations to improve the quality of cost-effectiveness analyses. The key changes include performing analyses from two reference case perspectives and providing an impact inventory to clarify included consequences. These updates aim to promote the continue...
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program is more cost-effective than many health interventions, with a net gain of 2.2 Quality of Life Years over an average lifetime for those who supplemented the program relative to those who did not.
A new study found that epilepsy surgery significantly improves seizure-free rates for patients, with 69% achieving complete freedom from seizures within a year. The procedure also proves cost-effective, with reduced antiepileptic drug use and lower direct costs over time.
A new study found that malnourished older adults who received a specialized nutrition supplement had an additional 8.5 months of estimated life expectancy compared to a placebo group. The analysis also showed that the treatment was cost-effective, costing only $524 for each year of life saved.
Researchers found sacubitril-valsartan to be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure, resulting in improved quality of life and reduced hospitalizations. The therapy offers incremental benefits at a lower cost than previously thought.
The International Society for Burn Injuries has issued new practice guidelines for burn care in resource-limited settings, addressing the need for standardized care globally. The guidelines provide recommendations for initial assessment, resuscitation, wound care, and rehabilitation, aiming to reduce costs and improve outcomes.
The study found that PCSK9 inhibitors are not cost-effective for patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, requiring annual drug prices to be reduced by over two-thirds. Reducing prices could lower US health care costs by $29 billion over 5 years.
A new cost-effectiveness tool provides guidance on preventing and treating rheumatic heart disease, recommending prioritization of primary prevention services. The tool suggests that prevention is more cost-effective than treatment, with primary prevention being likely to be cost-saving in the long-term.
A Swiss analysis found that treating Nivolumab only to patients with positive PD-L1 tests compared to DOC or all patients with NIV is more cost-effective, with ICERs below the WTP threshold. Treating only patients with ?1% or ?10% PD-L1+ with NIV also results in improved cost-effectiveness.
Researchers propose reducing the threshold for pre-emptive surgery on women at high risk of ovarian cancer from 10% to 4%. This could add up to 43 extra days of life expectancy if hormone replacement therapy is taken. The procedure would be cost-effective and help compensate for the lack of a reliable test.
Researchers found that expensive drugs like aflibercept are not cost-effective for treating diabetic macular edema compared to cheaper alternatives. To reach a threshold of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life-year, treatment costs would need to decrease by 69% for aflibercept and 80% for ranibizumab.
Current World Health Organization guidelines may need to be revised to combat parasitic worm diseases, which afflict 1.5 million people worldwide. A new analysis suggests that treating schoolchildren annually in sub-Saharan Africa with low-cost drugs could largely knock out these infections.
A new tool helps guide resource allocation for Zika virus interventions by analyzing health impact and costs. The tool suggests that proposed funds to combat Zika in the US and other countries would be cost-effective, particularly for measures reducing Zika infections.
A team of researchers suggests that increasing HCV treatment rates among people with mild disease could reduce transmission, while targeting those with severe disease has little impact. The studies also highlight the importance of increasing HCV treatments to prevent End Stage Liver Disease and related cancers or deaths
Scientists at the University of Bristol have developed a novel way to produce new antibiotics, increasing production by over 2,000 per cent. This breakthrough could lead to cost-effective treatments for resistant strains of tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus.
Researchers at Georgia State University have developed a rapid and cost-effective method for detecting ulcerative colitis using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The technique, which involves testing serum for increased presence of mannose, shows promise as a personalized diagnostic tool.
The study suggests that PSA screening should be extended and higher biopsy thresholds used to preserve benefits while controlling harm and costs, potentially making it a more cost-effective strategy.
A new study compared over 611 trials to find the most effective methods for inducing labor. Oxytocin, artificial rupture of membranes, and vaginally administered misoprostol were found to be more successful in achieving vaginal delivery within 24 hours.