Cost-effectiveness of Preventative Therapies for Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia
Author Information
Author(s): Eric S Meadows, Robert Klein, Matthew D Rousculp, Lee Smolen, Robert L Ohsfeldt, Joseph A Johnston
Primary Institution: Eli Lilly and Company
Hypothesis
The study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of raloxifene, alendronate, and conservative care in postmenopausal women with osteopenia.
Conclusion
Raloxifene treatment is cost-effective for 55 and 60-year-old women with osteopenia compared to conservative care.
Supporting Evidence
- For women aged 55 to 60 with a T-score of -1.8, raloxifene costs approximately $50,000 per QALY gained compared to conservative care.
- Raloxifene was found to be more effective than alendronate in most clinical scenarios.
- Raloxifene's benefits were primarily from preventing invasive breast cancer rather than fractures.
Takeaway
This study looks at how much it costs to help older women with weak bones avoid problems like fractures and cancer, finding that one medicine, raloxifene, is a good choice.
Methodology
A microsimulation model was developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of raloxifene and alendronate relative to conservative care over a lifetime horizon.
Limitations
The model simplified clinical situations and relied on uncertain parameters, and results apply only to relatively healthy postmenopausal women with osteopenia.
Participant Demographics
Postmenopausal women aged 55 to 75 with bone mineral density T-scores ranging from -1.0 to -2.4.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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