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PharmacoEconomics
Published in: PharmacoEconomics 17/2004

01-12-2004 | Original Research Article

Cost effectiveness of raloxifene in the treatment of osteoporosis in Sweden

An economic evaluation based on the MORE study

Authors: Fredrik Borgström, Olof Johnell, John A. Kanis, Anders Oden, David Sykes, Bengt Jönsson

Published in: PharmacoEconomics | Issue 17/2004

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Abstract

Background: The Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) study showed that treatment with raloxifene reduces the risk of vertebral fracture and breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Objective: Based on the MORE study the aim of the present study was to assess the cost effectiveness of raloxifene (compared with no treatment) for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Sweden.
Design: A revised version of a previously developed computer simulation model was used. The impact of the risk-reducing effect of raloxifene on vertebral fractures and breast cancer on cost effectiveness was analysed using a clinical and a morphometric definition of vertebral fracture. Benefits of raloxifene treatment were measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and life-years gained. The study estimated the cost effectiveness mainly from a healthcare perspective but the cost effectiveness taking a societal perspective was also analysed.
Results: Intervention costs (in Swedish kronor [SEK] and euros [€], year 2001 values) in postmenopausal women with a relative risk of vertebral fracture of 2 were SEK372 000 (€40 000), SEK303 000 (€33 000) and SEK263 000 (€28 000) per QALY for women aged 60, 70 and 80 years, at start of treatment, respectively, when the clinical vertebral definition was used. The cost effectiveness using a clinical morphometric vertebral fracture definition was similar to the cost effectiveness using a clinical vertebral fracture definition.
Conclusions: In relation to accepted threshold values for cost per QALY in Sweden, this model indicates, with its underlying assumptions and data, that raloxifene (compared with no treatment) is cost effective for the treatment of postmenopausal women at an increased risk of vertebral fracture, from the Swedish healthcare and societal perspectives.
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Metadata
Title
Cost effectiveness of raloxifene in the treatment of osteoporosis in Sweden
An economic evaluation based on the MORE study
Authors
Fredrik Borgström
Olof Johnell
John A. Kanis
Anders Oden
David Sykes
Bengt Jönsson
Publication date
01-12-2004
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
PharmacoEconomics / Issue 17/2004
Print ISSN: 1170-7690
Electronic ISSN: 1179-2027
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-200422170-00005

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