Cost effectiveness of outpatient treatment for febrile neutropaenia in adult cancer patients
2011

Cost effectiveness of outpatient treatment for febrile neutropaenia in adult cancer patients

Sample size: 77 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Teuffel O, Amir E, Alibhai S, Beyene J, Sung L

Primary Institution: The Hospital for Sick Children

Hypothesis

Is outpatient management more cost-effective than inpatient management for low-risk febrile neutropaenia in adult cancer patients?

Conclusion

Outpatient strategies are more cost-effective than inpatient treatment for adult cancer patients with low-risk febrile neutropaenia.

Supporting Evidence

  • HomePO was cost saving but less effective than HomeIV.
  • Both EarlyDC and HospIV were dominated strategies.
  • At a willingness-to-pay threshold of $4,000 per QAFNE, HomePO and HomeIV were cost effective in 54% and 38% of simulations, respectively.

Takeaway

This study found that treating cancer patients with low-risk febrile neutropaenia at home is cheaper and can be just as effective as treating them in the hospital.

Methodology

A Monte Carlo cost–utility model was created to compare four treatment strategies for low-risk febrile neutropaenia.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to reliance on visual analogue scale scores for health-related quality of life estimates.

Limitations

Limited data were available to estimate base values, and the analysis was performed using a hypothetical cohort.

Participant Demographics

Adult cancer patients with low-risk febrile neutropaenia.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

95% CI for costs and effectiveness provided.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/bjc.2011.101

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