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Walkowiak D, Domaradzki J, Mozrzymas R, Korycińska-Chaaban D, Duś-Żuchowska M, Didycz B, Mikołuć B, Walkowiak J. Professional activity, gender and disease-related emotions: The impact on parents' experiences in caring for children with phenylketonuria. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2023; 36:100992. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.ymgmr.2023.100992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
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Walkowiak D, Domaradzki J, Mozrzymas R, Korycińska-Chaaban D, Duś-Żuchowska M, Didycz B, Mikołuć B, Walkowiak J. Professional activity, gender and disease-related emotions: The impact on parents' experiences in caring for children with phenylketonuria. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2023; 36:100992. [PMID: 37502286 PMCID: PMC10368909 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2023.100992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Clinical management of rare diseases often fails to acknowledge the challenges faced by caregivers. Whilst management of phenylketonuria (PKU) may not be considered as dire as other conditions, most studies primarily concentrate on clinical issues, dietary adherence, or the quality of life of the PKU patients, leaving caregivers in the background. The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychosocial effects of PKU on family caregivers. Methods Between October 30th, 2022 and February 28th, 2023, we collected data from caregivers of children with PKU using an anonymous, self-administered, computer-assisted online questionnaire. The survey was distributed among to patients during their regular visits to five Polish PKU treatment centers. Results A total of 159 Polish caregivers of children with PKU completed the survey. This research shows that while women caregivers were more likely to be unemployed due to their responsibilities for childcare (50.3% compared to 0% for men), and men caregivers were more likely to be employed full-time (93.8% compared to 40.6% for women), the former reported higher emotional engagement in caregiving (88.1% vs 56.3% respectively). Significantly, unemployed mothers reported higher levels of loneliness, helplessness, and emotional control problems, and lacked psychological/emotional support more often than employed mothers. This research also shows a statistically significant positive correlation between mothers' education level and financial situation (p < 0.05) and education level and professional activity (p < 0.01). Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between perceived financial situation and feeling of happiness (p < 0.001), and between financial situation and professional activity (p < 0.001). Finally, a significant positive correlation was observed between feeling of happiness and professional activity (p < 0.05). Conclusions According to our findings, there is a link between subjective happiness, financial situation, and professional activity among female caregivers. The relationship between these factors goes beyond just the income earned from work. The results of our study imply that there could even be a therapeutic advantage for working mothers. It is crucial to recognize the emotional difficulties that employed mothers may experience while taking care of a child with PKU, and to provide them with the necessary assistance and resources to meet their needs. Additionally, our results may provide a foundation for redefining the support system for caregivers in Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Walkowiak
- Department of Organization and Management in Health Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jan Domaradzki
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Renata Mozrzymas
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Monika Duś-Żuchowska
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Metabolic Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
| | - Bożena Didycz
- Outpatient Metabolic Clinic, University Children's Hospital, Cracow, Poland
| | - Bożena Mikołuć
- Department of Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Immunology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland
| | - Jarosław Walkowiak
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Metabolic Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
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Appelberg K, Sörensen L, Zetterström RH, Henriksson M, Wedell A, Levin LÅ. Cost-Effectiveness of Newborn Screening for Phenylketonuria and Congenital Hypothyroidism. J Pediatr 2023; 256:38-43.e3. [PMID: 36495999 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term costs and health effects of the Swedish newborn screening program for classic phenylketonuria (PKU) alone and in combination with congenital hypothyroidism compared with no screening. STUDY DESIGN A decision-analytic model was developed to estimate and compare the long-term (80 years) costs and health effects of newborn screening for PKU and congenital hypothyroidism. Data were obtained from the literature and translated to Swedish conditions. A societal perspective was taken, including costs falling on health care providers, municipal care and services, as well as production loss due to morbidity. RESULTS Screening 100 000 newborns for PKU resulted in 73 gained quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) compared with no screening. When adding congenital hypothyroidism, the number of gained QALYs was 232 compared with PKU alone, adding up to a total of 305 QALYs gained. Corresponding cost estimates were $80.8, $70.3, and $10.05 million USD for no screening, PKU screening, and PKU plus congenital hypothyroidism screening, respectively, indicating that screening for PKU plus congenital hypothyroidism was more effective and less costly compared with the other strategies. The majority of cost savings with PKU plus congenital hypothyroidism screening was due to reductions in productivity losses and municipal care and services costs. CONCLUSION The Swedish newborn screening program for PKU and congenital hypothyroidism saves substantial costs for society while generating additional QALYs, emphasizing the importance of public investments in early diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kajsa Appelberg
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Lene Sörensen
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rolf H Zetterström
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Henriksson
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anna Wedell
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars-Åke Levin
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Kruger E, Aggio D, de Freitas H, Lloyd A. Estimation of Health Utility Scores for Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia. PHARMACOECONOMICS - OPEN 2023:10.1007/s41669-023-00397-z. [PMID: 37039966 DOI: 10.1007/s41669-023-00397-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia (GSDIa) is a rare genetic metabolic disorder characterized by hypoglycemia, hepatomegaly, growth failure, and possible seizures/death. Patients frequently consume cornstarch to maintain blood glucose. Evidence demonstrating the impact of GSDIa on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is lacking. This study aims to understand the burden of GSDIa by obtaining utility values for economic appraisals. METHODS A targeted literature review and interviews with experts (n = 4) and caregivers (n = 4) informed the development of health state vignettes describing different GSDIa severities by age and level of hypothetical treatment (i.e., gene therapy) response. Health states reflecting caregivers' experiences were also developed. A convenience sample of the UK general public completed a time trade-off (TTO) exercise. Scores conceptually varied from 0 (dead) to 1 (full health). States were also rated using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the EQ-5D-5L. Data were descriptively summarized. RESULTS One hundred participants completed the exercise (male: 48%; mean age: 42 years). Scores were lowest for the adolescent pre-treatment state (TTO = 0.38). Large increments in HRQoL were observed for the response (adult: TTO = 0.86; child: TTO = 0.84) and complete response (adult and child: TTO = 0.94) hypothetical treatment response states. Caregiver values were lowest for the pre-treatment state (TTO = 0.57) and highest for the complete response state (TTO = 0.95). VAS and EQ-5D-5L scores followed a similar pattern. CONCLUSION This study found an HRQoL burden on GSDIa patients and caregivers, with potential large improvement from a hypothetical treatment. These findings may be useful for families, clinicians, regulatory agencies, and in therapy economic evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Kruger
- Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., 5000 Marina Boulevard, Brisbane, CA, 94005, USA.
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Hubig L, Sussex AK, MacCulloch A, Hughes D, Graham R, Morris L, Raza S, Lloyd AJ, Sowinski A, Gallop K. Quality of Life with Late-Onset Pompe Disease: Qualitative Interviews and General Public Utility Estimation in the United Kingdom. JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2023; 10:41-50. [PMID: 36883056 PMCID: PMC9985911 DOI: 10.36469/001c.68157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Background: Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is a rare, progressive neuromuscular condition typically characterized by weakness of skeletal muscles, including those involved in respiration and diaphragmatic dysfunction. Individuals with LOPD typically eventually require mobility and/or ventilatory support. Objectives: This study aimed to develop health state vignettes and estimate health state utility values for LOPD in the United Kingdom. Methods: Vignettes were developed for 7 health states of LOPD with states defined in terms of mobility and/or ventilatory support. Vignettes were drafted based on patient-reported outcome data from the Phase 3 PROPEL trial (NCT03729362) and supplemented by a literature review. Qualitative interviews with individuals living with LOPD and clinical experts were conducted to explore the health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) impact of LOPD and to review the draft vignettes. Vignettes were finalized following a second round of interviews with individuals living with LOPD and used in health state valuation exercises with people of the UK population. Participants rated the health states using the EQ-5D-5L, visual analogue scale, and time trade-off interviews. Results: Twelve individuals living with LOPD and 2 clinical experts were interviewed. Following the interviews, 4 new statements were added regarding dependence on others, bladder control problems, balance issues/fear of falling, and frustration. One hundred interviews with a representative UK population sample were completed. Mean time trade-off utilities ranged from 0.754 (SD = 0.31) (no support) to 0.132 (SD = 0.50) (invasive ventilatory and mobility support-dependent). Similarly, EQ-5D-5L utilities ranged from 0.608 (SD = 0.12) to -0.078 (SD = 0.22). Discussion: The utilities obtained in the study are consistent with utilities reported in the literature (0.670-0.853 for nonsupport state). The vignette content was based on robust quantitative and qualitative evidence and captured the main HRQoL impacts of LOPD. The general public rated the health states consistently lower with increasing disease progression. There was greater uncertainty around utility estimates for the severe states, suggesting that participants found it harder to rate them. Conclusion: This study provides utility estimates for LOPD that can be used in economic modeling of treatments for LOPD. Our findings highlight the high disease burden of LOPD and reinforce the societal value of slowing disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Hubig
- Acaster Lloyd Consulting Ltd, London, UK
| | | | | | - Derralynn Hughes
- Lysosomal Storage Disorders Unit, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London, UK
| | - Ryan Graham
- GrahamAmicus Therapeutics UK Ltd, Marlow, UK
| | | | - Syed Raza
- Amicus Therapeutics UK Ltd, Marlow, UK
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Olofsson S, Gralén K, Hoxer C, Okhuoya P, Persson U. The impact on quality of life of diet restrictions and disease symptoms associated with phenylketonuria: a time trade-off and discrete choice experiment study. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2022; 23:993-1005. [PMID: 34842989 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-021-01415-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder leading to a deficiency in the metabolism of phenylalanine (Phe). Elevated Phe levels in the blood, tissue and brain may lead to emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms in adults. To control blood Phe levels, most individuals with PKU need to follow a strict, life-long Phe-restricted diet. The main objective of this study was to estimate the impact of PKU-related disease symptoms and dietary restrictions on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study was designed as a web-based survey using the methods of Time Trade-Off (TTO) and Discrete Choice Experiment with duration (DCETTO) in a survey of the Swedish general population and population with PKU. Data were collected using questionnaires for TTO diet (n = 509), TTO symptoms (n = 507), and DCETTO (n = 1117). The disutility of diet restrictions ranged from 0.050 for a partially restricted diet without medical food to 0.193 for a fully restricted diet with medical food in the TTO (DCE: 0.043-0.108). The disutility of experiencing symptoms (emotional, cognitive and physical) ranged from 0.148 for mild symptoms to 0.593 for severe symptoms in the TTO (DCE: 0.122-1.522). The study shows that both diet and symptoms have a significant negative impact on HRQoL in PKU and that utility estimates are largely consistent across methods and samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Olofsson
- The Swedish Institute for Health Economics, IHE, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Katarina Gralén
- The Swedish Institute for Health Economics, IHE, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | - Ulf Persson
- The Swedish Institute for Health Economics, IHE, Lund, Sweden
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to understand the healthcare burden and incidence of Krabbe disease (Krabbe). METHODS Retrospective analysis of Krabbe patients identified October 1, 2015 through December 31, 2020, ages birth through age 3, evaluated in two national databases. We estimated point prevalence and incidence from year 2016 data. RESULTS We identified 98 unique Krabbe patients with 736 visits including 260 were inpatient admissions. Total healthcare charges were $51.5 million dollars. We determined a point prevalence of 34 68 Krabbe patients in 2016 ages 0 3 years. This estimates a birth incidence of ~1 in 310,000 live births. Significance: Krabbe disease patients had over $51 million in health care charges and hundreds of hospitalizations. Estimated prevalence and birth incidence is similar to rates observed from newborn screening. Our findings show the tremendous health impacts of Krabbe disease, and provide guidance for efforts in screening and treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bradley J. Barney
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Joshua L. Bonkowsky
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine; Primary Children’s Center for Personalized Medicine, Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Quantifying the Burden of Hyperphagia in Prader-Willi Syndrome Using Quality-Adjusted Life-years. Clin Ther 2021; 43:1164-1178.e4. [PMID: 34193348 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare disease associated with cognitive impairment, hypotonia, hyperphagia (an insatiable hunger), and obesity. Therapies that target hyperphagia are in development, but understanding the value of these therapies to inform patient-focused drug development (PFDD) requires valid data on disease burden. We estimated disease burden by measuring and comparing quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for 3 PWS health states relevant to current PFDD initiatives. METHODS Time trade-off (TTO) and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used to elicit PWS caregivers' values for 3 fixed health states for a standardized patient described with (1) untreated PWS, (2) PWS with controlled obesity, and (3) PWS with controlled obesity and hyperphagia. We excluded participants who left at least 1 TTO or VAS question blank or incomplete (noncompleters) and respondents who reported the same answer for all TTO scenarios (nontraders). The remaining group of respondents (traders) were used for all primary analyses. We assessed validity and bias of QALY estimates by comparing differences in health state valuations, treatment priorities, and characteristics among respondents who did and did not complete the TTO. RESULTS A total of 458 respondents completed the survey, including 226 traders, 93 nontraders, and 139 noncompleters. Traders valued untreated PWS at 0.69 QALYs, PWS with controlled obesity at 0.79 QALYs, and controlled hyperphagia/obesity at 0.91 QALY (P < 0.01 for differences among health state values). Reported VAS ratings were similar for traders versus nontraders for untreated PWS (38.64 vs 38.95, P = 0.89) and PWS with controlled obesity (57.36 vs 55.14, P = 0.35) but varied for PWS with controlled obesity and hyperphagia (70.70 vs 64.46, P = 0.02). Exclusion of noncompleters did not introduce obvious bias because traders and noncompleters were similar in treatment priorities and characteristics. The exclusion of nontraders did not meaningfully alter mean or distribution of valuations. CONCLUSIONS This study found that avoiding hyperphagia decreases the burden of PWS and that these results are robust, even once imposing strict inclusion criteria. Use of fixed health states to estimate QALYs addresses many of the complexities of measuring disease burden in rare and pediatric conditions, indicating the potential value of this approach to inform premarket decision makers in identifying outcome importance. (Clin Ther. 2021;XX:XXX-XXX) © 2021 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.
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Newborn Screening and Treatment of Phenylketonuria: Projected Health Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8050381. [PMID: 34065950 PMCID: PMC8151371 DOI: 10.3390/children8050381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of newborn screening and treatment for phenylketonuria (PKU) in the context of new data on adherence to recommended diet treatment and a newly available drug treatment (sapropterin dihydrochloride). A computer simulation model was developed to project outcomes for a hypothetical cohort of newborns with PKU. Four strategies were compared: (1) clinical identification (CI) with diet treatment; (2) newborn screening (NBS) with diet treatment; (3) CI with diet and medication (sapropterin dihydrochloride); and (4) NBS with diet and medication. Data sources included published literature, primary data, and expert opinion. From a societal perspective, newborn screening with diet treatment had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $6400/QALY compared to clinical identification with diet treatment. Adding medication to NBS with diet treatment resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of more than $16,000,000/QALY. Uncertainty analyses did not substantially alter the cost-effectiveness results. Newborn screening for PKU with diet treatment yields a cost-effectiveness ratio lower than many other recommended childhood prevention programs even if adherence is lower than previously assumed. Adding medication yields cost-effectiveness results unlikely to be considered favorable. Future research should consider conditions under which sapropterin dihydrochloride would be more economically attractive.
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Richardson JS, Kemper AR, Grosse SD, Lam WKK, Rose AM, Ahmad A, Gebremariam A, Prosser LA. Health and economic outcomes of newborn screening for infantile-onset Pompe disease. Genet Med 2021; 23:758-766. [PMID: 33281187 PMCID: PMC8035228 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-01038-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To estimate health and economic outcomes associated with newborn screening (NBS) for infantile-onset Pompe disease in the United States. METHODS A decision analytic microsimulation model simulated health and economic outcomes of a birth cohort of 4 million children in the United States. Universal NBS and treatment was compared with clinical identification and treatment of infantile-onset Pompe disease. Main outcomes were projected cases identified, costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) over the life course. RESULTS Universal NBS for Pompe disease and confirmatory testing was estimated to cost an additional $26 million annually. Additional medication costs associated with earlier treatment initiation were $181 million; however, $8 million in medical care costs for other services were averted due to delayed disease progression. Infants with screened and treated infantile-onset Pompe disease experienced an average lifetime increase of 11.66 QALYs compared with clinical detection. The ICER was $379,000/QALY from a societal perspective and $408,000/QALY from the health-care perspective. Results were sensitive to the cost of enzyme replacement therapy. CONCLUSION Newborn screening for Pompe disease results in substantial health gains for individuals with infantile-onset Pompe disease, but with additional costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Richardson
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Alex R Kemper
- Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Scott D Grosse
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Wendy K K Lam
- Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Angela M Rose
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ayesha Ahmad
- Division of Pediatric Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Achamyeleh Gebremariam
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lisa A Prosser
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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The estimation of health state utility values in rare diseases: overview of existing techniques. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2020; 36:469-473. [PMID: 32981547 DOI: 10.1017/s0266462320000665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
There are several techniques for estimating health state utility values, each of which presents pros and cons in the context of rare diseases (RDs). Direct approaches (e.g. standard gamble and time trade-off) may be too demanding for patients with RDs, since most of them affect young children or cause cognitive impairment. The alternatives are using "vignettes" that describe hypothetical health states for the general public, which may not reflect the heterogeneous manifestations of RDs, or multi-attribute utility instruments (i.e. indirect techniques), such as EQ-5D, which may be less sensitive in capturing the specificities of RDs. The "rule of rescue" approach is a promising alternative in RDs, since it prioritizes identifiable patients with life-threatening or disabling conditions. However, it raises measurement challenges and ethical issues. Furthermore, the literature reports on relevant implications of choosing a technique over others for health technology assessment, which should be considered in relation to individual RDs.
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