Cost-minimization analysis to support the HTA of Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) in the diagnosis of osteoporosis
Introduction: A timely diagnosis of osteoporosis is key to reducing its growing clinical and economic burden. Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS), a new diagnostic technology using an ultrasound approach, has been recognized by scientific associations as a facilitator of patients’ c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AboutScience Srl
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Global & Regional Health Technology Assessment |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.aboutscience.eu/index.php/grhta/article/view/2492 |
| _version_ | 1811170720132104192 |
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| author | Ludovica Borsoi Patrizio Armeni Maria Luisa Brandi |
| author_facet | Ludovica Borsoi Patrizio Armeni Maria Luisa Brandi |
| author_sort | Ludovica Borsoi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: A timely diagnosis of osteoporosis is key to reducing its growing clinical and economic burden. Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS), a new diagnostic technology using an ultrasound approach, has been recognized by scientific associations as a facilitator of patients’ care pathway. We aimed at evaluating the costs of REMS vs. the conventional ionizing technology (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, DXA) for the diagnosis of osteoporosis from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service (NHS) using a cost-minimization analysis (CMA).
Methods: We carried out structured qualitative interviews and a structured expert elicitation exercise to estimate healthcare resource consumption with a purposeful sample of clinical experts. For the elicitation exercise, an Excel tool was developed and, for each parameter, experts were asked to provide the lowest, highest and most likely value. Estimates provided by experts were averaged with equal weights. Unit costs were retrieved using different public sources.
Results: Considering the base-case scenario (most likely value), the cost of professionals amounts to €31.9 for REMS and €48.8 for DXA, the cost of instrumental examinations and laboratory tests to €45.1 for REMS and €68.2 for DXA. Overall, in terms of current costs, REMS is associated with a mean saving for the NHS of €40.0 (range: €27.6-71.5) for each patient.
Conclusions: REMS is associated with lower direct healthcare costs with respect to DXA. These results may inform policy-makers on the value of the REMS technology in the earlier diagnosis for osteoporosis, and support their decision regarding the reimbursement and diffusion of the technology in the Italian NHS.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T17:02:21Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2284-2403 2283-5733 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T17:02:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | AboutScience Srl |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global & Regional Health Technology Assessment |
| spelling | doaj.art-e91645e8e41b4802b5c19f09c2a104442023-02-06T11:43:42ZengAboutScience SrlGlobal & Regional Health Technology Assessment2284-24032283-57332023-02-0110110.33393/grhta.2023.2492Cost-minimization analysis to support the HTA of Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) in the diagnosis of osteoporosisLudovica Borsoi0Patrizio Armeni1Maria Luisa Brandi2Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS) SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan - ItalyCentre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS) SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan - ItalyFondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sulle Malattie dell’Osso, Florence - ItalyIntroduction: A timely diagnosis of osteoporosis is key to reducing its growing clinical and economic burden. Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS), a new diagnostic technology using an ultrasound approach, has been recognized by scientific associations as a facilitator of patients’ care pathway. We aimed at evaluating the costs of REMS vs. the conventional ionizing technology (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, DXA) for the diagnosis of osteoporosis from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service (NHS) using a cost-minimization analysis (CMA). Methods: We carried out structured qualitative interviews and a structured expert elicitation exercise to estimate healthcare resource consumption with a purposeful sample of clinical experts. For the elicitation exercise, an Excel tool was developed and, for each parameter, experts were asked to provide the lowest, highest and most likely value. Estimates provided by experts were averaged with equal weights. Unit costs were retrieved using different public sources. Results: Considering the base-case scenario (most likely value), the cost of professionals amounts to €31.9 for REMS and €48.8 for DXA, the cost of instrumental examinations and laboratory tests to €45.1 for REMS and €68.2 for DXA. Overall, in terms of current costs, REMS is associated with a mean saving for the NHS of €40.0 (range: €27.6-71.5) for each patient. Conclusions: REMS is associated with lower direct healthcare costs with respect to DXA. These results may inform policy-makers on the value of the REMS technology in the earlier diagnosis for osteoporosis, and support their decision regarding the reimbursement and diffusion of the technology in the Italian NHS. https://journals.aboutscience.eu/index.php/grhta/article/view/2492Cost-minimization analysisDual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)Economic evaluationHealth Technology Assessment (HTA)osteoporosisRadiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) |
| spellingShingle | Ludovica Borsoi Patrizio Armeni Maria Luisa Brandi Cost-minimization analysis to support the HTA of Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) in the diagnosis of osteoporosis Global & Regional Health Technology Assessment Cost-minimization analysis Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Economic evaluation Health Technology Assessment (HTA) osteoporosis Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) |
| title | Cost-minimization analysis to support the HTA of Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) in the diagnosis of osteoporosis |
| title_full | Cost-minimization analysis to support the HTA of Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) in the diagnosis of osteoporosis |
| title_fullStr | Cost-minimization analysis to support the HTA of Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) in the diagnosis of osteoporosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cost-minimization analysis to support the HTA of Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) in the diagnosis of osteoporosis |
| title_short | Cost-minimization analysis to support the HTA of Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) in the diagnosis of osteoporosis |
| title_sort | cost minimization analysis to support the hta of radiofrequency echographic multi spectrometry rems in the diagnosis of osteoporosis |
| topic | Cost-minimization analysis Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Economic evaluation Health Technology Assessment (HTA) osteoporosis Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) |
| url | https://journals.aboutscience.eu/index.php/grhta/article/view/2492 |
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