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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Published in:

01-08-2008 | Original article

Length and cost of hospital stay of radioiodine ablation in thyroid cancer patients: comparison between preparation with thyroid hormone withdrawal and thyrogen

Authors: I. Borget, H. Remy, J. Chevalier, M. Ricard, M. Allyn, M. Schlumberger, G. De Pouvourville

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 8/2008

Abstract

Purpose

Treatment of thyroid cancer consists of thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation following thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation. Similar ablation rates were obtained with either thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) or rhTSH. But with rhTSH, the elimination of radioiodine is more rapid, thus reducing its whole-body retention and potentially resulting in a shorter hospital stay. The aim of this study was to assess the financial impact of a reduced length of hospital stay with the use of rhTSH.

Methods

This was a case-control study of thyroid cancer patients treated postoperatively with 3,700 MBq (100 mCi) radioiodine; 35 patients who received rhTSH were matched with 64 patients submitted to THW according to covariates influencing radioiodine retention. The length of hospitalization (LOH) was estimated for each method according to the threshold of radioiodine retention below which the patient can be discharged from the hospital. The economic analysis was conducted from a hospital perspective. Simulations were performed.

Results

For a threshold of 400 MBq, the LOH was 2.4 days and 3.5 days with rhTSH and THW, respectively, and the cost for an ablation stay was, respectively, 2,146 and 1,807 €. In the French context, 57% of the acquisition cost of rhTSH was compensated by the reduction of the length of hospitalization.

Conclusion

By increasing the iodine excretion, rhTSH allows a shorter hospitalization length, which partially compensates its acquisition cost.

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Title: Length and cost of hospital stay of radioiodine ablation in thyroid cancer patients: comparison between preparation with thyroid hormone withdrawal and thyrogen
Authors: I. Borget
H. Remy
J. Chevalier
M. Ricard
M. Allyn
M. Schlumberger
G. De Pouvourville
Publication date: 01-08-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 8/2008
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-008-0754-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Length and cost of hospital stay of radioiodine ablation in thyroid cancer patients: comparison between preparation with thyroid hormone withdrawal and thyrogen

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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