Cost-effectiveness of monotherapy treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension with the lipid class of medications

A Review of Cost-Effectiveness Analyses for Open Angle Glaucoma Management

PURPOSE

Cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) quantify and compare both costs and measures of efficacy for different interventions. As the costs of glaucoma management to patients, payers, and physicians are increasing, we seek to investigate the role of CEAs in the field of glaucoma and how such studies impact clinical management.

METHODS

We adhered to the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses" guidelines for our systematic review structure. Eligible studies included any full-text articles that investigated cost-effectiveness or cost-utility as it relates to the field of open angle glaucoma management in the United States. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the validated Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Economic Evaluations.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies were included in the review. Dates of publication ranged from 1983 to 2021. Most of the studies were published in the 2000s and performed CEAs in the domains of treatment/therapy, screening, and adherence for patients with primary angle open glaucoma. Of the 18 articles included, 14 focused on treatment, 2 on screening, and 2 on adherence. Most of these studies focused on the cost-effectiveness of different topical medical therapies, whereas only a few studies explored laser procedures, surgical interventions, or minimally invasive procedures. Economic models using decision analysis incorporating state-transition Markov cycles or Montecarlo simulations were widely used, however, the methodology among studies was variable, with a wide spectrum of inputs, measures of outcomes, and time horizons used.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we found that cost-effectiveness research in glaucoma in the United States remains relatively unstructured, resulting in unclear and conflicting implications for clinical management.

Changes of the Types and Daily Costs of Topical Antiglaucoma Medications from 2006 to 2021 in China

Purpose. To investigate the changes of the types and daily costs of topical antiglaucoma medications from 2006 to 2021 in China, providing evidence for optimizing treatment regimen and medical insurance policy. Methods. The types of topical antiglaucoma drugs except complementary and traditional medicines and associated price information were collected from the largest pharmaceutical database in China (YAOZH database). The daily costs of each drug, the average income level, and the daily cost of topical antiglaucoma medications relative with daily disposable income were calculated and compared between 2006 and 2021. Results. The options of topical antiglaucoma drugs increased remarkably to 32 types in 2021, of which prostaglandin analogs comprised the largest proportion (31.25%). There were 10 types of the same brand drugs available in 2006 and 2021, the mean daily cost of which decreased from $0.39 ± 0.30 to $0.28 ± 0.23 ( $p<0.001$ ). As the average daily disposable income of Chinese residents grew greatly, the proportion of the daily cost of topical antiglaucoma medications in daily disposable income in 2021 declined significantly from 32.52% to 5.78% (all the drugs, $p<0.001$ ) and 3.94% (without unit dose package, $p<0.001$ ) in rural areas and from 9.95% to 2.31% (all the drugs, $p<0.001$ ) and 1.57% (without unit dose package, $p<0.001$ ) in urban areas. Conclusions. Topical antiglaucoma medications available become much more abundant in China. With the increase of residents’ disposable income and reduction of daily costs of topical antiglaucoma medications, the drug treatment for glaucoma becomes more affordable both in rural and urban areas.

Cost-analysis of Surgical Intraocular Pressure Management in Glaucoma

PRCIS

The multiplicity of treatment options for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is both a blessing and a challenge. Some attention to cost-analysis might assist in choosing an optimal therapy, especially in a cost-constrained, international setting.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to quantify and to analyze the relative cost of various glaucoma surgical procedures and selective laser trabeculoplasty surgery per mm Hg IOP reduction ($/mm Hg) since standard cost-utility methods are not well suited to the study of glaucoma which characteristically only claims visual acuity in its end stages.

METHODS

Published glaucoma treatment studies were reviewed to quantitate the reduction of mean IOP and glaucoma medications for a given treatment modality. A US perspective was adopted, using Medicare allowable costs were used to calculate a newly introduced parameter-cost per mm Hg IOP reduction-at 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

The cost per mm Hg IOP reduction after 1 year of treatment ranged from $190/mm Hg for trabeculectomy to $1376/mm Hg for iStent. For reference, the cost of selective later trabeculoplasty surgery was $121/mm Hg. After the first year, cost/mm Hg ranged from $12 to $61/mm Hg.

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional glaucoma surgeries and selective laser trabeculoplasty surgery were the most cost-efficient surgical methods to lower IOP compared with the various minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries options. They may be more appropriate management when cost is an important issue.

Current Knowledge and Attitudes Concerning Cost-Effectiveness in Glaucoma Pharmacotherapy: A Glaucoma Specialists Focus Group Study

Background

Rising healthcare costs motivate continued cost-reduction efforts. To help lower costs associated with open-angle glaucoma (OAG), a prevalent, progressive disease with substantial direct and indirect costs, clinicians need to understand the cost-effectiveness of intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering pharmacotherapies. There is little published information on clinicians’ knowledge and attitudes about cost-effectiveness in glaucoma treatment.

Purpose

This pilot focus group study aimed to explore clinician attitudes and perspectives around the costs and cost drivers of glaucoma therapy; the implementation of cost-effectiveness decisions; the clinical utility of cost-effectiveness studies; and the cost-effectiveness of available treatments.

Methods

Six US glaucoma specialists participated in two separate teleconferencing sessions (three participants each), managed by an independent, skilled moderator (also a glaucoma specialist) using a discussion guide. Participants reviewed recent publications (n=25) on health economics outcomes research in glaucoma prior to the sessions.

Results

Participants demonstrated a clear understanding of the economic burden of glaucoma therapy and identified medications, diagnostics, office visits, and treatment changes as key cost drivers. They considered cost-effectiveness an appropriate component of treatment decision-making but identified the need for additional data to inform these decisions. Participants indicated that there were only a few recent studies on health economics outcomes in glaucoma which evaluate parameters important to patient care, such as quality of life and medication adherence, and that longitudinal data were scant. In addition to efficacy, participants felt patient adherence and side-effect profile should be included in economic evaluations of glaucoma pharmacotherapy. Recently approved medications were evaluated in this context.

Conclusion

Clinicians deem treatment decisions based on cost-effectiveness data as clinically appropriate. Newer IOP-lowering therapies with potentially greater efficacy and favorable side-effect and adherence profiles may help optimize cost-effectiveness. Future studies should include: clinicians’ perspectives; lack of commercial bias; analysis of long-term outcomes/costs; more comprehensive parameters; real-world (including quality-of-life) data; and a robust Markov model.

Modeling the Pharmacotherapy Cost and Outcomes of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma With Dry Eye

We aimed to analyze and model the cost and results of current outpatient pharmacotherapy practice in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma concomitant with dry-eye disease (POAG+DE). The point of view is that of the health care system and patients, and the time horizon was 1 year. Data were collected through a prospective, observational, real-life study of therapy practice in patients admitted to the specialized ophthalmology clinic at the Alexandrovska University Hospital in Sofia. Pharmacotherapy was recorded and analyzed by therapeutic group and INN. The probability of being prescribed preservative-free or non-free formulations was calculated, as were the cost of yearly therapy, reimbursed cost, and patient co-payment. A decision tree exploring the cost-effectiveness of preservative-free and preservative non-free formulations was built. Outcomes were recorded through three tests measuring tear film stability: TMS, NIBUT Ave, and ST. TMS values below 3, ST above 10 mm, and NIBUT Ave above 14 s were considered as indicators of good disease control. A total of 140 eyes were diagnosed with POAG, of which 64 had concomitant dry-eye disease and were included in the analysis. Monotherapy was prescribed to 34: 14 on preservative-free formulations and 20 on non-free. Meanwhile, 30 eyes received combination therapy: six on preservative-free and 24 on non-free. The monotherapy product was most commonly Prostaglandin Analogs (PG−73.5%), followed by beta-blockers (BB−26.5%). No carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (Ca AA) or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists (alfa 2 AA) were prescribed as monotherapy. The majority of patients showed poor disease control according to all three measures. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was 744 BGN for TMS and 131 BGN for NUBIT for each successfully controlled eye—far below three times GDP per capita. For ST, the ICER was negative, benefiting non-free formulations. Therapy of POAG+DED with preservative-free formulations is cost-effective according to the WHO threshold of three times GDP. The median costs of the two treatment modalities were similar. Current practice shows that patients experience a higher burden in terms of co-payment than do institutions such as the NHIF.

Quality of life of glaucoma patients under medical therapy with different prostaglandins

PURPOSE

To assess the quality of life of glaucoma patients under medical therapy with different prostaglandin analogs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of consecutive glaucoma patients was designed. We assessed the patients' quality of life through the Brazilian 25-question version of the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire, comprising 12 subscales (general health, general vision, ocular pain, near vision, distance vision, social function, mental health, role limitations, dependency, driving, color vision, and peripheral vision) and a total composite score. Clinical features, including current medical treatment, were obtained from each patient's medical record. Three groups of patients were identified according to the prostaglandin in use: bimatoprost, latanoprost, or travoprost. The main outcome measures were: mean score in each subscale and mean total composite score.

RESULTS

The mean total composite score for the whole group was 70.60. The bimatoprost, latanoprost, and travoprost groups had the following mean composite scores, respectively: 56.56, 77.36, and 71.08 (P = 0.001, analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Latanoprost and travoprost results were similar, and both were superior to bimatoprost. Most subscales had similar results. The subscale with the lowest score for all groups was general health. Groups were homogenous and comparable.

CONCLUSION

There is a difference in the quality of life between glaucoma patients using prostaglandin analogs. It seems that bimatoprost users have lower QoL when compared to latanoprost and travoprost users.

Latanoprost versus timolol as first choice therapy in patients with ocular hypertension. A cost-effectiveness analysis

PURPOSE

To determine the cost-effectiveness of ocular hypertension (OH) treatment initiated with latanoprost compared to timolol.

METHODS

Two strategies for OH therapy are modelled, (1) 'starting with timolol' and (2) 'starting with latanoprost'. Therapy can be maintained or changed dependent on the achieved intraocular pressure (IOP) and side-effects. Adjustments of therapy to reach a target pressure involve monotherapy, combination therapy and laser. Four drugs are used: latanoprost, timolol, brimonidine and dorzolamide. Once the adjustments of therapy are completed, lifelong follow-up with IOP-dependent conversion to glaucoma and progression to blindness are modelled. Direct medical costs are assigned. The IOP-lowering effect of drugs is based on meta-analyses and applied by Monte Carlo simulation to a hypothetical cohort of patients with OH. The characteristics of the cohort, including the initial IOP distribution, are based on data of 1000 patients.

RESULTS

The IOP decreased from 25,4 mm Hg (mean) to 16.7 (±0.017) mm Hg (strategy 1) and to 16.5 (±0.013) mm Hg (strategy 2). Costs per patient within 15 months of therapy were € 367 and € 469, respectively. Lifetime blindness and costs were 0.0334 years and € 3,514 (strategy 1) and 0.0318 years and € 4,397 (strategy 2). Incremental costs per year of vision saved for strategy (2) in comparison with strategy (1) amount to, given the uncertainties in the model, approximately € 537,000.

CONCLUSION

For saving 1 year of vision, high costs are needed when OH therapy is initiated with latanoprost compared to timolol, when the cost price of latanoprost remains high.

A critical review of the full economic evaluations of pharmacological treatments for glaucoma

OBJECTIVE

This literature review aimed to critically assess the 'state of the art' of the full economic evaluations (FEEs) on glaucoma pharmacological treatments. This is the first review that tries to thoroughly assess both costs and consequences of pharmacoeconomic evaluations on glaucoma.

METHODS

A literature search was done on the international databases PubMed and EMBASE, to find all the studies published in English on pharmacological treatments for glaucoma in the period 1997-2006. An economic and a clinical checklist were adopted to analyse FEEs and their clinical sources (CS). Finally, the reliability of the 33 FEEs included in the 15 articles selected was assessed from the health authorities' perspective by applying a critical appraisal checklist of 16 items derived from the economic and clinical variables previously analysed.

RESULTS

The major weakness of the articles reviewed seemed to be the extensive recourse to expert panel opinions and assumptions at each phase of the economic analysis. About one-third of the FEEs even based their clinical efficacy on non-evidence-based sources. The critical appraisal of the CS methodological characteristics showed that their quality was not high either.

CONCLUSION

This review showed that most FEEs on glaucoma suffer substantial methodological limits, mainly due to the scarce quality of available CSs, so public authorities should consider their results very cautiously for healthcare decision making.

Pharmacoeconomic analysis of prostaglandin and prostamide therapy for patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension

BACKGROUND

To determine monthly cost and cost effectiveness of bilateral prostaglandin/prostamide therapy for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients taking bimatoprost 0.03% (Lumigan, Allergan, Inc.), latanoprost 0.005% (Xalatan, Pfizer, Inc.), or travoprost 0.004% (Travatan, Alcon Laboratories, Inc.).

METHODS

Drops in five new 2.5-mL bottles were counted and then averaged for each drug. Average retail price was determined by surveys of pharmacies. Drop count, average retail price, average wholesale price, and IOP reduction data were used to compute annual cost, and cost effectiveness (annual cost-per-mm Hg of IOP reduction) of the three drugs.

RESULTS

Drops per 2.5-mL bottle averaged 113 for bimatoprost 0.03%, 84 for latanoprost 0.005%, and 83 for travoprost 0.004%. Average retail cost (2005) per bottle was $69.99 for bimatoprost 0.03%, $61.69 for latanoprost 0.005%, and $66.37 for travoprost 0.004%. The monthly retail cost of bilateral therapy was $37.92 for bimatoprost 0.03%, $44.75 for latanoprost 0.005%, and $49.25 for travoprost 0.004%. Cost effectiveness ranges were $57 to $65 per mm Hg reduction in IOP per year for bimatoprost, 0.03%, $67 to $90 per mm Hg for latanoprost 0.005%, and $74 to $84 per mm Hg for travoprost 0.004%.

CONCLUSION

Bimatoprost 0.03% had the lowest monthly and annual costs and the greatest cost effectiveness for lowering IOP compared with latanoprost 0.005% and travoprost 0.004%.

Cost-effectiveness of latanoprost and timolol maleate for the treatment of glaucoma in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom, using a decision-analytic health economic model

PURPOSE

To assess the cost-effectiveness of latanoprost or timolol in glaucoma treatment in Norway, Sweden, Denmark (Scandinavia) and the United Kingdom (UK).

METHODS

A Markov model was constructed to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis. Health states were 'stable' and 'progressed' glaucoma, and transition probabilities for both primary open-angle and exfoliation glaucoma were derived from the medical literature. Practice patterns were obtained from surveys completed by 54 ophthalmologists geographically dispersed throughout each country. Country specific unit costs were used for medications, patient visits, diagnostics, and therapeutic procedures.

RESULTS

Over the life of the model latanoprost was less expensive than timolol by 5.3-7.6% (Scandinavia) and 2.1% (UK). Following adjustments, therapy in the original timolol-treated cohort was slightly more effective in each country with a difference in 0.003-0.015 years to progression of glaucoma existing between latanoprost. This may have resulted from the model design, which reflected that physicians ultimately control most patients' glaucoma over 5 years by adding or changing therapy. The associated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for latanoprost vs timolol generated by the Scandinavian and the UK models, respectively, were: Norway 351,396 NOK; Sweden 988,985 SEK; Denmark 351,641; and the UK 4751 GBP.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 5 years, in the UK timolol is the cost-effective option, whereas in Scandinavia latanoprost may be the cost-effective alternative to timolol.

Health care charges for patients with ocular hypertension or primary open-angle glaucoma

OBJECTIVES

To determine the total and condition-related direct health care charges of patients with ocular hypertension (OH) or primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and identify factors that affect these charges.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with OH (n = 36 767) and POAG (n = 72 412) with > or =1 year of continuous enrollment during calendar years 1998 through 2005 in a nationally representative, multimanaged health plan database (PharMetrics).

METHODS

First year total health care and condition-related charges were calculated. Subsequently multivariate linear regression models determined the impact of ophthalmic condition (OH or POAG), age, index year, gender, geographic region, payer mix, product type, treatment with glaucoma medication, ocular comorbidities, and systemic comorbidities on these charges.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Per-person per year first-year total health care and ocular condition-related charges in United States dollars, adjusted for multiple covariates.

RESULTS

Patients with POAG had significantly higher adjusted total and condition-related health care charges during the first year of follow-up than patients with OH in multivariable analysis ($2070 vs. $1990, P<0.0001 and $556 vs. $322 P<0.0001, respectively). Females and older patients had higher total health care charges compared with males and younger patients ($586 or 28.3% more; P<0.0001 and $27 per year or 0.8% per year more; P<0.0001, respectively). However, neither gender nor age were strong determinants of condition-related charges (P = 0.13 and P = 0.052, respectively). Index year, region, payer, and product types significantly dictated both total and disease-related charges. Patients with ocular comorbid conditions, including cataracts, cataract surgery, diabetic retinopathy, and blindness, had significantly higher total and condition-related health care charges than patients without these conditions (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Total and condition-related health care charges are considerable for patients with OH and POAG. These data identify several factors that dictate these charges.

Travoprost versus latanoprost combinations in glaucoma: economic evaluation based on visual field deficit progression

OBJECTIVE

Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) are known to be related to visual field deficit progression, although multiple models of this relationship exist. In addition, visual functioning is known to affect medical costs. The objective of this study was to project visual field deficit progression and subsequent costs based on clinical trial data.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using data from a randomized, 12-month, double-masked study, we compared the use of a fixed combination of travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% (T/T) versus a fixed combination of latanoprost 0.005%/timolol 0.5% (L/T) on visual field deficit progression and associated costs. We applied published algorithms linking IOP to visual field changes to calculate the likelihood of visual field deterioration by treatment group. Differences in medical care costs were estimated using guideline-recommended practice patterns, Medicare hospital costs, and published estimates of differences in hospitalization by visual functioning.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Increase in visual field deficit progression rates, increase in annual hospital days per subject, and increase in annual hospital, outpatient, and total costs per subject.

RESULTS

Predicted visual field deficit progression for T/T patients was less than that for L/T patients (not statistically significant). Projected annual medical care costs were 43 dollars lower for T/T vs. L/T patients.

CONCLUSIONS

By applying published algorithms linking IOP to visual field changes, this study projected long-term visual field deficit and associated costs. Use of a fixed travoprost/timolol solution may lead to less long-term visual field deficit progression and lower annual medical care costs than a fixed latanoprost/timolol solution.

DISCUSSION

The use of clinical trial data may limit the applicability of these findings. However, this analysis of direct medical costs only is likely a conservative estimate of the costs associated with visual field deficits.