ISSN:
1365-2516
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Prophylaxis for haemophilia improves outcomes, but at a substantial cost. Cost–utility analysis balances improvements seen in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) against costs, with the purpose of aiding healthcare decision-making. This analysis uses a measure of HRQoL known as utility. The objective of this study was to measure HRQoL (utility) values for states of health that result from on-demand therapy or prophylaxis. The HRQoL for different health states (including target joint bleeding, different intensities of prophylaxis, and indwelling intravenous catheters [ports]) was measured for healthy adults (n=30), parents of haemophilic children (n=30), and adults with haemophilia (n=28). Parents and patients rated health states similarly. Healthy adults gave the lowest ratings. The following rank, in order of HRQoL, was obtained: prophylaxis (low 〉 medium 〉 high) 〉 on-demand therapy 〉 prophylaxis with port〉 prophylaxis with infected port 〉 on-demand therapy with development of a target joint. We conclude that: (1) haemophilia and its treatment reduce HRQoL; (2) prophylaxis is preferred to on-demand therapy; (3) intravenous ports substantially reduce HRQoL; (4) and an intravenous port to provide prophylaxis is preferable to on-demand therapy if a target joint develops.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2516.2002.00591.x
