Inhaler Review in Older Adults with Asthma or COPD: A Cost-Effectiveness Study and a Perspective in Portugal

Tiago Maricoto, João Marques-Gomes, Jaime Correia-de-Sousa, Luís Taborda-Barata

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Older patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are particularly susceptible to exacerbations that may be associated with incorrect use of inhalers. Educational programs with inhaler technique review seem to be effective, but no studies have addressed their cost-effectiveness in older adult patients. The objective was to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of education programs in older patients and estimate the cost benefit of applying such a program in Portugal. DESIGN: We developed a decision tree analysis from a healthcare perspective, according to intervention costs and the exacerbation rates and costs described in a previous meta-analysis. A sensitivity analysis of worst and best case scenarios was performed to estimate thresholds for intervention affordable limits, as well as cost-saving estimations and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for a Portuguese scenario. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We estimated cost-effectiveness thresholds applicable in all settings and performed a sensitivity analysis of a theoretical intervention model in all patients including an inhaler technique review at an annual appointment with a doctor and a nurse. RESULTS: In the best case scenario, the intervention affordable budget could be up to almost 1800€ (US $1585.24) per patient per year. Mean intervention-associated savings in Portugal would be 311.88€ (US $274.68) per patient per year, representing annual savings up to €131 million (US $150 million) for the whole health system, already including intervention costs. ICERs for Portugal vary between 93.73€ (US $82.55) and 437.43€ (US $385.25) per exacerbation avoided. CONCLUSION: A model of an intervention program with an inhaler technique review in older adult patients suggests that this intervention is cost-effective and can generate significant savings. J Am Geriatr Soc 1–7, 2019.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019

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Portugal
Nebulizers and Vaporizers
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Asthma
Costs and Cost Analysis
Decision Trees
Decision Support Techniques
Budgets
Meta-Analysis
Appointments and Schedules
Theoretical Models
Nurses
Delivery of Health Care
Education
Health

Keywords

  • asthma
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • cost-effectiveness
  • inhaler
  • older adults

Cite this

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title = "Inhaler Review in Older Adults with Asthma or COPD: A Cost-Effectiveness Study and a Perspective in Portugal",
abstract = "OBJECTIVES: Older patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are particularly susceptible to exacerbations that may be associated with incorrect use of inhalers. Educational programs with inhaler technique review seem to be effective, but no studies have addressed their cost-effectiveness in older adult patients. The objective was to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of education programs in older patients and estimate the cost benefit of applying such a program in Portugal. DESIGN: We developed a decision tree analysis from a healthcare perspective, according to intervention costs and the exacerbation rates and costs described in a previous meta-analysis. A sensitivity analysis of worst and best case scenarios was performed to estimate thresholds for intervention affordable limits, as well as cost-saving estimations and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for a Portuguese scenario. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We estimated cost-effectiveness thresholds applicable in all settings and performed a sensitivity analysis of a theoretical intervention model in all patients including an inhaler technique review at an annual appointment with a doctor and a nurse. RESULTS: In the best case scenario, the intervention affordable budget could be up to almost 1800€ (US $1585.24) per patient per year. Mean intervention-associated savings in Portugal would be 311.88€ (US $274.68) per patient per year, representing annual savings up to €131 million (US $150 million) for the whole health system, already including intervention costs. ICERs for Portugal vary between 93.73€ (US $82.55) and 437.43€ (US $385.25) per exacerbation avoided. CONCLUSION: A model of an intervention program with an inhaler technique review in older adult patients suggests that this intervention is cost-effective and can generate significant savings. J Am Geriatr Soc 1–7, 2019.",
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Inhaler Review in Older Adults with Asthma or COPD : A Cost-Effectiveness Study and a Perspective in Portugal. / Maricoto, Tiago; Marques-Gomes, João; Correia-de-Sousa, Jaime; Taborda-Barata, Luís.

In: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 01.01.2019.

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article

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T2 - A Cost-Effectiveness Study and a Perspective in Portugal

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AU - Marques-Gomes, João

AU - Correia-de-Sousa, Jaime

AU - Taborda-Barata, Luís

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N2 - OBJECTIVES: Older patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are particularly susceptible to exacerbations that may be associated with incorrect use of inhalers. Educational programs with inhaler technique review seem to be effective, but no studies have addressed their cost-effectiveness in older adult patients. The objective was to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of education programs in older patients and estimate the cost benefit of applying such a program in Portugal. DESIGN: We developed a decision tree analysis from a healthcare perspective, according to intervention costs and the exacerbation rates and costs described in a previous meta-analysis. A sensitivity analysis of worst and best case scenarios was performed to estimate thresholds for intervention affordable limits, as well as cost-saving estimations and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for a Portuguese scenario. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We estimated cost-effectiveness thresholds applicable in all settings and performed a sensitivity analysis of a theoretical intervention model in all patients including an inhaler technique review at an annual appointment with a doctor and a nurse. RESULTS: In the best case scenario, the intervention affordable budget could be up to almost 1800€ (US $1585.24) per patient per year. Mean intervention-associated savings in Portugal would be 311.88€ (US $274.68) per patient per year, representing annual savings up to €131 million (US $150 million) for the whole health system, already including intervention costs. ICERs for Portugal vary between 93.73€ (US $82.55) and 437.43€ (US $385.25) per exacerbation avoided. CONCLUSION: A model of an intervention program with an inhaler technique review in older adult patients suggests that this intervention is cost-effective and can generate significant savings. J Am Geriatr Soc 1–7, 2019.

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