Document Detail


An economic evaluation of positron emission tomography (PET) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the diagnosis of breast cancer recurrence.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21524363     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVES: To review the published economic studies that have evaluated positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the treatment of recurrent breast cancer, and to develop and carry out a model-based economic evaluation to investigate the relative cost-effectiveness of PET/CT to detect breast cancer recurrence compared with conventional work-up.
DATA SOURCES: A systematic review of economic and diagnostic evidence for PET/CT in diagnosis of breast cancer recurrence. The original databases searched include MEDLINE (Ovid) (1950 to week 5 May 2009), EMBASE (Ovid) (1980 to 2009 week 22) and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database. An updated search was conducted for each database from May 2009 to week 4 April 2010.
METHODS: A decision tree was developed in TREEAGE software (TreeAge Software Inc., Williamstown, MA, USA). The relevant data on accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of each diagnostic test were linked in the model, to costs and the primary outcome measure, cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). The model estimated the mean cost associated with each diagnostic procedure and assumed that patients entering the model were aged 50-75 years. The results of the cost-effectiveness analysis are presented in terms of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).
RESULTS: The ICER for the strategy of PET compared with conventional work-up was estimated at £29,300 per QALY; the ICER for PET/CT compared with PET was £31,000 per QALY; and the ICER for PET/CT combined with conventional work-up versus PET/CT was £42,100. Clearly, for each additional diagnostic test that is added to PET, the more expensive the package becomes, but also the more effective it becomes in terms of QALYs gained. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis shows that at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 per QALY, conventional work-up is the preferred option.
LIMITATIONS: Only data from indirect comparisons are available from the accuracy review, and there is some uncertainity about whether the data defining the accuracy of PET/CT present its use as a replacement or as an adjunct to conventional work-up.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current model and given the limitations that are apparent in terms of limited availability of data, the result of the current analysis suggests that the use of PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent breast cancer in every woman suspected of having a recurrence is unlikely to be cost-effective given the current willingness-to-pay thresholds that are accepted in the UK by decision-making bodies such as the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Our modelling suggests that conventional work-up could be the most cost-effective diagnostic strategy given current data. Future studies need to secure robust cost data that can be verified from more than one source for the diagnostic tests involved in PET and PET/CT. Reliable and verifiable data on quality of life associated with this clinical condition are also crucial.
FUNDING: The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
Authors:
P Auguste; P Barton; C Hyde; Te Roberts
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Health technology assessment (Winchester, England)     Volume:  15     ISSN:  1366-5278     ISO Abbreviation:  Health Technol Assess     Publication Date:  2011 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-04-28     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9706284     Medline TA:  Health Technol Assess     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1-54     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Health Economics Unit on behalf of West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration, School of Health and Population Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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