Metabolic Syndrome Traits Increase the Risk of Major Adverse Liver Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases the risk for major adverse liver outcomes (MALOs), including cirrhosis and its complications. Patients with T2D frequently have other traits of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). It remains uncertain whether there is a synergistic effect of accumulating MetS traits on future MALO risk.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients with T2D without a history of liver disease were identified from national registers in Sweden from 1998 to 2021. MetS traits included hypertension, low HDL level, hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, and albuminuria, in addition to T2D. MALO events were identified based on administrative coding from national registers until 31 October 2022. Data were analyzed using Cox regression models.

RESULTS

In total, 230,992 patients were identified (median age 64 years; 58% male), of whom 3,215 (1.39%) developed MALOs over a median follow-up of 9.9 years. Compared with patients with one MetS trait (only T2D) at baseline, those with more than one MetS trait had a higher rate of MALOs (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.33, 95% CI 1.53-3.54). The rate of MALOs increased progressively with increasing numbers of MetS traits at baseline (aHR 1.28 per added trait, 95% CI 1.23-1.33). During follow-up, patients who acquired additional MetS traits had a progressively higher rate of MALOs. The MetS trait with the largest association with incident MALOs was hypertension (aHR 2.06, 95% CI 1.57-2.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Having or acquiring additional traits of MetS increase the rate of progression to MALOs in patients with T2D. These results could be used to inform screening initiatives for liver disease.

Paricalcitol and Extended-Release Calcifediol for Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: Results From a Network Meta-Analysis

CONTEXT

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) affecting mineral and bone metabolism and characterized by excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH) production and parathyroid hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this analysis was to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of extended-release calcifediol (ERC) and paricalcitol (PCT) by assessing their effect on the biomarkers PTH, calcium, and phosphate in patients with non-dialysis CKD (ND-CKD).

METHODS

A systematic literature research was performed in PubMed to identify randomized control trials (RCTs). Quality assessment was done with the GRADE method. The effects of ERC vs PCT were compared using random effects in a frequentist setting.

RESULTS

Nine RCTs comprising 1426 patients were included in the analyses. The analyses were performed on 2 overlapping networks, due to nonreporting of outcomes in some of the included studies. No head-to-head trials were identified. No statistically significant differences in PTH reduction were found between PCT and ERC. Treatment with PCT showed statistically significant increases in calcium compared with ERC (0.2 mg/dL increase; 95% CI, -0.37 to -0.05 mg/dL). No differences in effects on phosphate were observed.

CONCLUSION

This network meta-analysis showed that ERC is comparable in lowering PTH levels vs PCT. ERC displayed avoidance of potentially clinically relevant increases in serum calcium, offering an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for the management of SHPT in patients with ND-CKD.

A novel economic framework to assess the cost-effectiveness of bone-forming agents in the prevention of fractures in patients with osteoporosis

A novel cost-effectiveness model framework was developed to incorporate the elevated fracture risk associated with a recent fracture and to allow sequential osteoporosis therapies to be evaluated. Treating patients with severe osteoporosis after a recent fracture with a bone-forming agent followed by antiresorptive therapy can be cost-effective compared with antiresorptive therapy alone. Incorporating these novel technical attributes in economic evaluations can support appropriate policy and reimbursement decision-making.

PURPOSE

To develop a cost-effectiveness model accommodating increased fracture risk after a recent fracture and treatment sequencing.

METHODS

A micro-simulation cost-utility model was developed to accommodate both treatment sequencing and increased risk with recent fracture. The risk of fracture was estimated and simulated using the FRAX® algorithms combined with Swedish registry data on imminent fracture relative risk. In the base-case cost-effectiveness analysis, a sequential treatment starting with a bone-forming agent for 12 months followed by an antiresorptive agent for 48 months initiated immediately after a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) in a 70-year-old woman with a T-score of 2.5 or less was compared to an antiresorptive treatment alone for 60 months. The model was populated with data relevant for a UK population reflecting a personal social service perspective.

RESULTS

The cost per additional quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained in the base-case setting was estimated at £34,584. Sensitivity analyses revealed the sequential treatment to be cost-saving compared with administering a bone-forming treatment alone. Without simulating an elevated fracture risk immediately after a recent fracture, the cost per QALY changed from £34,584 to £62,184.

CONCLUSION

Incorporating imminent fracture risk in economic evaluations has a significant impact on the cost-effectiveness when evaluating fracture prevention treatments in patients with osteoporosis who sustained a recent fracture. Bone-forming treatment followed by antiresorptive therapy can be cost-effective compared to antiresorptive therapy alone depending on treatment acquisition costs.

Cost-effectiveness of romosozumab for the treatment of postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis at high risk of fracture in Sweden

Romosozumab is a novel bone-building drug that reduces fracture risk. This health economic analysis indicates that sequential romosozumab-to-alendronate can be a cost-effective treatment option for postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis at high risk of fracture.

PURPOSE

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of sequential treatment with romosozumab followed by alendronate ("romosozumab-to-alendronate") compared with alendronate alone in patients with severe osteoporosis at high risk of fracture in Sweden.

METHODS

A microsimulation model with a Markov structure was used to simulate fractures, costs, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), for women treated with romosozumab-to-alendronate or alendronate alone. Patients aged 74 years with a recent major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) were followed from the start of treatment until the age of 100 years or death. Treatment with romosozumab for 12 months was followed by alendronate for up to 48 months or alendronate alone with a maximum treatment duration of 60 months. The analysis had a societal perspective. Efficacy of romosozumab and alendronate were derived from phase III randomized controlled trials. Resource use and unit costs were collected from the literature. Cost-effectiveness was estimated using incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) with QALYs as effectiveness measures.

RESULTS

The base case analysis showed that sequential romosozumab-to-alendronate treatment was associated with 0.089 additional QALYs at an additional cost of €3002 compared to alendronate alone, resulting in an ICER of €33,732. At a Swedish reference willingness-to-pay per QALY of €60,000, romosozumab-to-alendronate had a 97.9% probability of being cost-effective against alendronate alone. The results were most sensitive to time horizon, persistence assumptions, patient age, and treatment efficacy.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that sequential romosozumab-to-alendronate can be a cost-effective treatment option for postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis at high risk of fracture.

Real-world effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment in the oldest old

We studied effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment in women older than 80 years, who often are not included in clinical trials. Treatments were as effective on bone density and fractures as in younger women.

INTRODUCTION

To study real-world effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment on BMD and fractures in the oldest old women (≥ 80 years) compared with women (60-79 years) in the clinical setting using Swedish health register data.

METHODS

National registers and data from DXA machines were used to study effectiveness of all available osteoporosis treatments in women 60-79 and ≥ 80 years using three approaches: (1) Total Hip BMD change up to 8 years after treatment start; (2) fracture incidence where patients served as their own controls, comparing the first 3 months after treatment start with the subsequent 12 months; and (3) comparison of fracture incidence post-fracture in women ≥ 80 years treated with osteoporosis treatment or calcium/vitamin D.

RESULTS

Analysis 1: Total Hip BMD increased by up to 6.7% and 7.7% in women 60-79 and ≥ 80 years old, respectively. The mean increase in BMD was 1.1%-units per year in both age groups. Analysis 2: Relative to the 3-month baseline, fracture incidence decreased during the subsequent 12 months of treatment. Incidence rate ratios were estimated at 0.65, 0.74, 0.29, and 0.81 for any, hip, vertebral, and non-hip-non-vertebral fracture, respectively. Analysis 3: A 24-month incidence of any fracture in women ≥ 80 years given post-fracture osteoporosis treatment was lower (HR = 0.78) than in women given calcium/vitamin D, but treatment allocation was not random, with lower mortality (HR = 0.51) in patients receiving OP treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteoporosis medication in women > 80 years in clinical practice likely works, and the magnitude of effect is similar to what was estimated in younger women. The choice between osteoporosis treatment and calcium/vitamin D after fracture in women ≥ 80 years is not random but appears associated with the patient's health status and presence of vertebral fractures, rather than the known risk profile of sustaining a fracture at a high age.

Risk of major osteoporotic fracture after first, second and third fracture in Swedish women aged 50 years and older

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis affects approximately one in five European women and leads to fragility fractures, which result in poor health, social and economic consequences. Fragility fractures are a strong risk factor for subsequent major osteoporotic fracture (MOF), with risk of MOF being elevated in the 1-2 years following an earlier fracture, a concept described as "imminent risk". This study examines risk of subsequent MOF in patients with one, two or three prior fractures by age and type of fracture.

METHODS

In this retrospective, observational cohort study, Swedish women aged ≥50 years with ≥1 any clinical fragility fracture between July 1, 2006 and December 31, 2012 were identified from Sweden's National Patient Register. Each patient was age- and sex-matched to three controls without history of fracture. Group 1 women included those with one fragility fracture during the study period; Group 2 included those with two fragility fractures; and Group 3 included those with three fragility fractures. "Index fracture" was defined as the first fracture during the study period for Group 1; the second for Group 2; and the third for Group 3. Patients in each cohort and matched controls were followed for up to 60 months or until subsequent MOF (hip, vertebra, forearm, humerus), death or end of data availability.

RESULTS

231,769 women with at least one fracture were included in the study and therefore constituted Group 1; of these, 39,524 constituted Group 2 and of those, 7656 constituted Group 3. At five years, cumulative incidence of subsequent MOF was higher in patients with a history of fracture as compared to controls (Group 1: 20.7% vs 12.3%; Group 2: 32.0% vs 15.3%). Three-year cumulative incidence for Group 3 was 12.1% (vs 10.7% for controls). After adjusting for baseline covariates, risk of subsequent MOF was highest within 0-24 months following an index fracture, then decreased but remained elevated as compared to controls. Having two prior fractures, vertebral fractures and younger age at time of index fracture were associated with greater relative risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with a history of osteoporotic fracture are at increased risk of subsequent fracture, which is highest during the first 24 months following a fracture. Younger women and those with vertebral fractures are at greatest relative risk, suggesting that treatment should target these patients and be timely enough to impact the period of imminent risk.

Differing impact of clinical factors on the risk of fracture in younger and older women in the general population and an osteoporosis clinic population

This study assesses the impact of risk factors for fracture in women aged 80+ and 60-79. The results suggest that risk assessment which fits younger women may not be suited for the 80+ strata as many common risk factors are less predictive in the older compared to the younger cohort.

PURPOSE

This study assesses whether the impact of classical risk factors for fracture due to osteoporosis is different in women aged 80+ and women aged 60-79. Since most prior research on the contribution of risk factors is based on patients below 80 years of age, this study aims to fill this knowledge gap to increase the accuracy of risk assessment in the oldest old.

METHODS

Retrospective, observational cohort study using Swedish national health register data and BMD data from osteoporosis clinics. Women aged at least 60 were identified from a random sample of the general population and from the BMD databases and allocated to two populations representing patients at different stages of risk assessment. The relative impact of risk factors on fracture risk was assessed using multivariate competing risk regression with fracture as outcome and death as competing event.

RESULTS

A total of 163,329 women were included from the general population (52,499 aged 80+) and 22,378 from the BMD databases (4563 aged 80+). The clinical risk factors with relatively highest effect on fracture risk in the older patients were prior fracture and hip T-score below - 2.5 SD. Other included risk factors showed lower impact in the older compared to the younger strata.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms our understanding of the key risk factors for fracture: age, prior fracture, and a low T-score. Regarding remaining risk factors, risk assessment which fits younger women may not be suited for the 80+ strata as many common risk factors are less predictive in the older compared to the younger cohort.

Risk of imminent fracture following a previous fracture in a Swedish database study

This study examined the imminent risk of a future fracture within 1 and 2 years following a first fracture in women aged 50 years and older and assessed independent factors associated with risk of subsequent fractures. The study highlights the need to intervene rapidly after a fracture to prevent further fractures.

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to determine the imminent risk of subsequent fractures within 1 and 2 years following a first fracture and to assess independent factors associated with subsequent fractures.

METHODS

Retrospective, observational cohort study of women aged ≥ 50 years with a fragility fracture was identified from Swedish national registers. Clinical/demographic characteristics at the time of index fracture and cumulative fracture incidences up to 12 and 24 months following index fracture were calculated. Risk factors for subsequent fracture were identified using multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-two thousand one hundred eight women (mean [SD] age 74 [12.5] years) were included. The cumulative subsequent fracture incidence at 12 months was 7.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9-7.2) and at 24 months was 12.0% (95% CI, 11.8-12.1). The rate of subsequent fractures was highest in the first month (~ 15 fractures per 1000 patient-years) and remained steady between 4 and 24 months (~ 5 fractures/1000 patient-years). Higher age was an independent risk factor for imminent subsequent fractures (at 24 months, sub-distribution hazard ratio [HR], 3.07; p < 0.001 for women 80-89 years [reference 50-59 years]). Index vertebral fracture was a strong independent risk factor for subsequent fracture (sub-distribution HR, 2.72 versus hip fracture; p < 0.001 over 12 months; HR, 2.23; p < 0.001 over 24 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the need to intervene rapidly after any fragility fracture in postmenopausal women. The occurrence of a fragility fracture provides healthcare systems with a unique opportunity to intervene to reduce the increased risk of subsequent fractures.

Quality of life for up to 18 months after low-energy hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fractures-results from the ICUROS

This study used data from the International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic fractures Study (ICUROS) to estimate the quality of life (QoL) impact of fracture. Hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fractures incur substantial QoL losses. Hip and vertebral fracture results in markedly impaired QoL for at least 18 months.

INTRODUCTION

The International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic fractures Study (ICUROS) is a multinational observational study that aims to describe costs and quality of life (QoL) consequences of osteoporotic fractures. To date, 11 countries have participated in the study: Australia, Austria, Estonia, France, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia, Spain, the UK, and the USA. The objective of this paper is to describe the QoL impact of hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fracture.

METHODS

Data were collected at four time-points for five QoL point estimates: within 2 weeks after fracture (including pre-fracture recall) and at 4, 12, and 18 months after fracture. Quality of life was measured as health state utility values (HSUVs) derived from the EQ-5D-3L. Complete case analysis was conducted as the base case with available case and multiple imputation performed as sensitivity analyses. Multivariate analysis was performed to explore predictors of QoL impact of fracture.

RESULTS

Among 5456 patients enrolled using convenience sampling, 3021 patients were eligible for the base case analysis (1415 hip, 1047 distal forearm, and 559 vertebral fractures). The mean (SD) difference between HSUV before and after fracture for hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fracture was estimated at 0.89 (0.40), 0.67 (0.45), and 0.48 (0.34), respectively (p < 0.001 for all fracture types). Eighteen months after fracture, mean HSUVs were lower than before the fracture in patients with hip fracture (0.66 vs. 0.77 p < 0.001) and vertebral fracture (0.70 vs. 0.83 p < 0.001). Hospitalization and higher recalled pre-fracture QoL were associated with increased QoL impact for all fracture types.

CONCLUSIONS

Hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fractures incur substantial loss in QoL and for patients with hip or vertebral fracture, QoL is markedly impaired for at least 18 months.

Exploring methods for comparing the real-world effectiveness of treatments for osteoporosis: adjusted direct comparisons versus using patients as their own control

Using Swedish and Dutch registry data for women initiating bisphosphonates, we evaluated two methods of comparing the real-world effectiveness of osteoporosis treatments that attempt to adjust for differences in patient baseline characteristics. Each method has advantages and disadvantages; both are potential complements to clinical trial analyses.

PURPOSE

We evaluated methods of comparing the real-world effectiveness of osteoporosis treatments that attempt to adjust for both observed and unobserved confounding.

METHODS

Swedish and Dutch registry data for women initiating zoledronate or oral bisphosphonates (OBPs; alendronate/risedronate) were used; the primary outcome was fracture. In adjusted direct comparisons (ADCs), regression and matching techniques were used to account for baseline differences in known risk factors for fracture (e.g., age, previous fracture, comorbidities). In an own-control analysis (OCA), for each treatment, fracture incidence in the first 90 days following treatment initiation (the baseline risk period) was compared with fracture incidence in the 1-year period starting 91 days after treatment initiation (the treatment exposure period).

RESULTS

In total, 1196 and 149 women initiating zoledronate and 14,764 and 25,058 initiating OBPs were eligible in the Swedish and Dutch registries, respectively. Owing to the small Dutch zoledronate sample, only the Swedish data were used to compare fracture incidences between treatment groups. ADCs showed a numerically higher fracture incidence in the zoledronate than in the OBPs group (hazard ratio 1.09-1.21; not statistically significant, p > 0.05). For both treatment groups, OCA showed a higher fracture incidence in the baseline risk period than in the treatment exposure period, indicating a treatment effect. OCA showed a similar or greater effect in the zoledronate group compared with the OBPs group.

CONCLUSIONS

ADC and OCA each possesses advantages and disadvantages. Combining both methods may provide an estimate of real-world treatment efficacy that could potentially complement clinical trial findings.

Persistence with denosumab and persistence with oral bisphosphonates for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective, observational study, and a meta-analysis

The objectives of this study were to estimate persistence with denosumab and put these results in context by conducting a review of persistence with oral bisphosphonates. Persistence with denosumab was found to be higher than with oral bisphosphonates.

PURPOSE

This study had two objectives: to analyse persistence in Swedish women initiating denosumab for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and to put these findings in context by conducting a literature review and meta-analysis of persistence data for oral bisphosphonates.

METHODS

The study used the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register and included women aged at least 50 years initiating denosumab between May 2010 and July 2012. One injection of denosumab was defined as 6-month persistence. Women were considered persistent for another 6 months if they filled their next prescription within 6 months + 56 days and survival analysis applied to the data. A literature search was conducted in PubMed to identify retrospective studies of persistence with oral bisphosphonates and pooled persistence estimates were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

The study identified 2,315 women who were incident denosumab users. Mean age was 74 years and 61% had been previously treated for PMO. At 12 and 24 months, persistence with denosumab was 83% (95% CI, 81-84%) and 62% (95% CI, 60-65%), respectively. The literature search identified 40 articles for inclusion in the meta-analysis. At 12 and 24 months, persistence with oral bisphosphonates ranged from 10% to 78% and from 16% to 46%, with pooled estimates of 45% and 30%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register and literature review suggest that persistence was higher with denosumab than with oral bisphosphonates.

Residual effect after oral bisphosphonate treatment and healthy adherer effects--the Swedish Adherence Register Analysis (SARA)

Little is known of the effect of alendronate and risedronate on osteoporotic fractures after discontinuation of therapy. We found that time on treatment was significantly inversely associated with the incidence of hospitalized fractures during posttreatment follow-up. Our results will inform health economic analysis of osteoporosis interventions.

INTRODUCTION

Real-world persistence to treatment of osteoporosis is well-understood, but little is known of the posttreatment residual effect on fractures. The objective of this study was to investigate the residual effect of alendronate and risedronate on fractures and assess whether a healthy adherer effect confounds the association between persistence and residual anti-fracture effect.

METHODS

A treatment-naïve cohort from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register was identified through prescriptions for alendronate or risedronate between 2005 and 2009. Persistence was estimated, and patients were stratified by time on treatment (<1 month, 1-6 months, 7-12 months, and >12 months). Survival analysis was used to study hospitalized fractures and mortality up to 18 months after treatment discontinuation.

RESULTS

The crude incidence proportion of fractures the first 6 months after treatment discontinuation ranged from 2.26% (<1 month of treatment) to 1.16% (>12 months). The corresponding estimates for month 7 to 12 after discontinuation was 3.18 to 1.96%, and for month 13 to 18 after discontinuation 2.69 to 1.95%. Adjusted regression results showed that patients persisting with therapy for >12 months had 60% lower fracture risk the first six months after treatment discontinuation (RR 0.40, p = 0.001). Patient characteristics, including prevalent fractures and co-morbidities, and posttreatment mortality were comparable across persistence durations, and we found no evidence of a healthy adherer effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Time on bisphosphonate treatment was significantly inversely associated with the incidence of hospitalized fractures during posttreatment follow-up. We found no evidence of a healthy adherer effect confounding the relationship between treatment persistence and fracture risk.

The impact of different health dimensions on overall quality of life related to kyphoplasty and non-surgical management

This study uses data from a previously published randomised trial where balloon kyphoplasty was compared to non-surgical management. Of the improved overall quality of life, 60 % was caused by decreased pain. However, ignoring other dimensions of quality of life would underestimate the procedure's effect.

INTRODUCTION

Acute back pain has been viewed as the most important factor lowering quality of life (QoL) for patients suffering vertebral fractures. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of different health dimensions on overall QoL using patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) collected in Fracture Reduction Evaluation (FREE) trial.

METHODS

The analysis was based on patients included in the 2-year-long randomised controlled FREE trial studying the efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty procedure (BKP) compared to non-surgical management (NSM). The PROMs included were EQ-5D, Short Form (SF)-36, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). The health dimensional contribution to the overall QoL improvements was analysed by isolating the impact of each dimension on QoL in the SF-36 and EQ-5D, respectively. A correlation analysis of the QoL improvement was performed to investigate the relationships between the four instruments.

RESULTS

Changes in pain explained 60 % of the quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained in BKP vs. NSM followed by self-care (17 %), mobility (16 %) and usual activities (10 %) (EQ-5D). Health dimensions capturing the mental state had little impact on the QALY gained. The SF-36 dimensional analysis showed similar results. The correlation analysis showed that the correlation between VAS pain, RMDQ and QALY improvement was fairly weak.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in the pain dimension of health are the most important drivers for changes of overall QoL in patients treated with BKP or NSM. However, ignoring the impact of other dimensions would lead to an underestimation of the actual improvement in overall QoL.

Intervention thresholds for denosumab in the UK using a FRAX®-based cost-effectiveness analysis

The objective was to undertake a health economic analysis of denosumab for the treatment of osteoporosis in women from the UK, using the FRAX® tool. Denosumab was cost-effective in women with a risk of major osteoporotic fracture meeting or exceeding approximately 20% who are unable to take, comply with or tolerate generic alendronate.

INTRODUCTION

Denosumab is a novel biologic agent developed for the treatment of osteoporosis, which has been shown to reduce the risk of fractures in a phase-III trial. The objective of the present study was to undertake a health economic analysis of denosumab in women from the UK. Ten-year probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture at which denosumab is a cost-effective alternative to no treatment, generic alendronate, risedronate and strontium ranelate were estimated.

METHODS

A previously published Markov model was adapted to incorporate fracture and mortality risk assessments based on absolute fracture probability, as estimated by FRAX®. The model included treatment persistence and residual effect after discontinuation.

RESULTS

At a willingness-to-pay (WTP) of £30,000 per quality-adjusted life year and a 10-year fracture probability equivalent to a woman with a prior fragility fracture, denosumab was cost-effective compared to no treatment from the age of 70 years. At the same WTP, denosumab was-irrespective of age-cost-effective compared to no treatment at a major osteoporotic fracture probability of approximately 20%. Denosumab was estimated to cost-effectively replace strontium, risedronate and generic alendronate at 10-year probabilities exceeding 11, 19 and 32%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

FRAX® facilitates the estimation of cost-effectiveness-based intervention thresholds applicable to patients with different combinations of clinical risk factors, which more closely matches the situation in clinical practice. Denosumab is cost-effective in patients with major osteoporotic fracture probabilities meeting or exceeding approximately 20% who are unable to take, comply with or tolerate generic alendronate.

The International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study (ICUROS)--quality of life during the first 4 months after fracture

The quality of life during the first 4 months after fracture was estimated in 2,808 fractured patients from 11 countries. Analysis showed that there were significant differences in the quality of life (QoL) loss between countries. Other factors such as QoL prior fracture and hospitalisation also had a significant impact on the QoL loss.

INTRODUCTION

The International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study (ICUROS) was initiated in 2007 with the objective of estimating costs and quality of life related to fractures in several countries worldwide. The ICUROS is ongoing and enrols patients in 11 countries (Australia, Austria, Estonia, France, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia, Spain, UK and the USA). The objective of this paper is to outline the study design of ICUROS and present results regarding the QoL (measured using the EQ-5D) during the first 4 months after fracture based on the patients that have been thus far enrolled ICUROS.

METHODS

ICUROS uses a prospective study design where data (costs and quality of life) are collected in four phases over 18 months after fracture. All countries use the same core case report forms. Quality of life was collected using the EQ-5D instrument and a time trade-off questionnaire.

RESULTS

The total sample for the analysis was 2,808 patients (1,273 hip, 987 distal forearm and 548 vertebral fracture). For all fracture types and countries, the QoL was reduced significantly after fracture compared to pre-fracture QoL. A regression analysis showed that there were significant differences in the QoL loss between countries. Also, a higher level of QoL prior to the fracture significantly increased the QoL loss and patients who were hospitalised for their fracture also had a significantly higher loss compared to those who were not.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings in this study indicate that there appear to be important variations in the QoL decrements related to fracture between countries.

Balloon kyphoplasty compared to vertebroplasty and nonsurgical management in patients hospitalised with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: a UK cost-effectiveness analysis

The purpose of the study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of balloon kyphoplasty compared to nonsurgical management and vertebroplasty for the treatment of hospitalised osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the UK. A cost-effectiveness model was constructed and used for analysis. Balloon kyphoplasty may be cost-effective compared to relevant alternatives.

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) for the treatment of patients hospitalised with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) compared to percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and nonsurgical management (NSM) in the UK.

METHODS

A Markov simulation model was developed to evaluate treatment with BKP, NSM and PVP in patients with symptomatic OVCF. Data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with acute OVCF were derived from the FREE and VERTOS II randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and normalised to the NSM arm in the FREE trial. Estimated differences in mortality among the treatments and costs for NSM were obtained from the literature whereas procedure costs for BKP and PVP were obtained from three National Health Service hospitals. It was assumed that BKP and PVP reduced hospital length of stay by 6 days compared to NSM.

RESULTS

The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated at Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP) 2,706 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and GBP 15,982 per QALY compared to NSM and PVP, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed that the cost-effectiveness of BKP vs. NSM was robust when mortality and HRQoL benefits with BKP were varied. The cost-effectiveness of BKP compared to PVP was particularly sensitive to changes in the mortality benefit.

CONCLUSION

BKP may be a cost-effective strategy for the treatment of patients hospitalised with acute OVCF in the UK compared to NSM and PVP. Additional RCT data on the benefits of BKP and PVP compared to simulated sham surgery and further data on the mortality benefits with BKP compared to NSM and PVP would reduce uncertainty.

The comparative gastrointestinal tolerability of proprietary versus generic alendronate in patients treated for primary osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to analyze the comparative gastrointestinal tolerability of proprietary versus generic alendronate in patients treated for primary osteoporosis.

METHODS

The study was based on all patients starting therapy with alendronate in Sweden between 2005 and 2009. The primary outcome measure was the start of treatment with a gastroprotective agent and the secondary outcome was hospitalization for gastrointestinal adverse event (GIAE). The incidence of both outcomes was measured within the first six months after the initiation of the alendronate treatment.

RESULTS

The crude incidence of gastroprotective treatment during the first six months following the start of the alendronate therapy was 5.45% (bootstrapped CI(95) 4.09%-7.19%) and 5.04% (bootstrapped CI(95) 4.74%-5.38%) for patients prescribed proprietary and generic alendronate, respectively. The crude six-month incidence of hospitalization for GIAE was 0.43% (bootstrapped CI(95) 0.14%-1.29%) and 0.71% (bootstrapped CI(95) 0.55%-0.91%) for proprietary and generic alendronate, respectively. Controlling for age, sex, and other available covariates, there was no significant difference in the risk of GIAEs between proprietary and generic alendronate.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant difference in the incidence of GIAEs was identified between patients prescribed proprietary and generic alendronate between 2005 and 2009 in Sweden. More research is needed to provide conclusive evidence of the gastrointestinal tolerability profiles of proprietary and generic alendronate.

The association between automatic generic substitution and treatment persistence with oral bisphosphonates

Automatic generic substitution of alendronate products, used to reduce drug costs, and medication persistence was studied retrospectively between 2006 and 2009. During this period the number of, and the rate of substitution between, alendronate products increased while persistence decreased. Patient preferences should be considered when designing and evaluating generic policies.

INTRODUCTION

Automatic generic substitution (AGS) was implemented in Sweden in 2002. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between AGS and persistence with alendronate treatment of primary osteoporosis in Sweden.

METHODS

An open historical cohort of women and men (n = 36,433) was identified in the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register through filled prescriptions for alendronate or risedronate between 2005 and 2009. Co-morbidity data was extracted from the National Patient Register. The association between AGS and medication persistence was investigated using non-parametric and parametric survival analysis.

RESULTS

Between 2006 and 2009, the number of alendronate products increased from 15 to 25, the proportion of prescriptions constituting a substitution increased from 10.8% to 45.2%, and the proportion of patients persisting with alendronate treatment for 12 months fell from 66.9% to 51.7%. Patients starting alendronate treatment in 2006 had lower risk of stopping treatment compared with those starting in 2007 (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.29-1.39), 2008 (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.43-1.55), and 2009 (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.40-1.60). No difference was observed in persistence with proprietary risedronate during the same period. Individuals who had their alendronate product substituted at the first prescription refill had significantly higher probability of discontinuation (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.20-1.30).

CONCLUSION

AGS causes increased product substitution which appears to be associated with reduced treatment persistence. Poor health outcomes and associated costs due to forgone drug exposure should be taken into account in the design and evaluation of policies implemented to encourage utilisation of generic medicines.

Costs related to hip disease in patients eligible for total hip arthroplasty

This study was designed to estimate direct and indirect costs incurred by hip disease in patients eligible for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Before THA, 2635 patients completed a questionnaire regarding the use of resources because of their hip disease. Costs were assigned using official statistical sources or market prices. Annual costs amounted to US$ 7666 per patient. In a regression analysis, higher annual costs were associated with working age, female gender, comorbidity, and operation waiting time more than 90 days (P < .005). The burden of disease for THA candidates is extensive, where loss of productivity is the principal cost. Long wait for surgery is associated with increased costs. This study provides baseline cost data, which will be useful for further health economic analyses and could provide guidance for health care decision makers.

Adherence to treatment of primary osteoporosis and its association to fractures--the Swedish Adherence Register Analysis (SARA)

SUMMARY

Osteoporosis treatments reduce the risk of fractures. The objective of this study was to investigate adherence to treatment of osteoporosis and its association to fractures in Sweden. Adherence to treatment of osteoporosis in Sweden is poor, and time on treatment was found to be significantly associated with fracture incidence.

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to estimate persistence and compliance to treatment of primary osteoporosis in Sweden. A second aim was to investigate the determinants of non-persistence and the association between adherence and fracture incidence.

METHODS

Patients were identified through filled prescriptions for alendronate, risedronate, strontium ranelate, and raloxifene between 2005 and 2009 from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Persistence was investigated using survival analysis. Medication possession ratio (MPR) was used to measure compliance in persistent patients. The outcome measure in the analysis of adherence and fracture incidence was hospitalized osteoporotic fractures.

RESULTS

The final cohort consisted of 56,586 treatment-naïve patients (mean age 71, 86% women). A total of 51%, 35%, 25%, and 14% were still on treatment (switching allowed) after 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. Average MPR in persistent patients was 94.2% (CI(95) 94.2-94.3%). Compared with <1 month of therapy, treatment for 1 month to 1 year, 1 to 2 years, and 2 to 3 years was associated with a lower 3-year fracture incidence (HR 0.86, p = 0.091; HR 0.67, p < 0.001; and HR 0.59, p < 0.001, respectively). No significant relationship was identified between MPR and fracture risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistence to treatment of osteoporosis in Sweden is poor and approximately 50% of all treatment-naïve patients discontinue therapy within 1 year. Average refill compliance, estimated only while the patients were persistent, was found to be close to perfect. A strong association was identified between treatment persistence and fracture incidence, which calls for action to improve the current situation.

Patient preferences for characteristics differentiating ovarian stimulation treatments

BACKGROUND

Little is known concerning patient preferences for IVF treatments. The objective of this study was to elicit patient preferences for characteristics differentiating ovarian stimulation treatments.

METHODS

Women undergoing IVF were recruited from six clinics in Sweden between May 2010 and December 2010. Included patients completed a study questionnaire consisting of one contingent valuation (CV) question (with six different bids) and 16 conjoint analysis (CA) questions formulated as discrete choices between two hypothetical ovarian stimulation treatments (defined in terms of manufacturing method, method of administration, time required for administration, dose variability and hypothetical price). Patient preferences were derived using multinomial logit modelling.

RESULTS

The final study population consisted of 294 women (mean age of 35). Respondents were willing to pay €360 [95% confidence interval (CI): €340-€390] to receive FSH derived from DNA technology instead of highly purified extract from urine from post-menopausal women, €300 (95% CI: €280-€320) to administer the FSH using a prefilled injection pen instead of a conventional syringe, €30 (95% CI: €20-€40) per saved minute required for administration and €530 (95% CI: €500-€570) to reduce the dose variability from 10-20% to 1-2% (P< 0.001 for all estimates). The result from the CV was similar to the CA.

CONCLUSIONS

Women undergoing IVF place significant value on characteristics differentiating ovarian stimulation treatments. Product-specific aspects should be taken into account by decision-makers when discriminating between commercial gonadotrophins in clinical practice to align health-care decision-making with patient preferences and potentially improve the effectiveness of IVF interventions through enhanced patient satisfaction and treatment compliance. Preferences for treatment characteristics should also be considered in evaluations of ovarian stimulation products to capture their true value from a patient perspective.

Gastrointestinal tolerability and patterns of switching in patients treated for primary osteoporosis: the Swedish Adherence Register Analysis (SARA)

The objective of this study was to describe and analyze the gastrointestinal tolerability and medication switching in patients receiving treatment for primary osteoporosis in Sweden. The study was based on all patients starting therapy with alendronate, risedronate, strontium ranelate, and raloxifene in Sweden between 2005 and 2009. The primary outcome measure was start of treatment with a gastroprotective agent, and the secondary outcome was hospitalization for a gastrointestinal adverse event (GIAE). Switching was analyzed while patients were on treatment. The crude incidence of gastroprotective treatment during the first 6 months after initiation of osteoporosis therapy was 5.14%, 5.93%, 4.25%, and 2.86% for patients prescribed alendronate, risedronate, strontium ranelate, and raloxifene, respectively. Patients prescribed raloxifene had a significantly lower risk of filling a prescription for a gastroprotective agent compared with alendronate. There was no significant difference in the risk of hospitalization for GIAEs. Less than 3% switched therapy while on treatment. Patients prescribed risedronate, strontium ranelate, and raloxifene had a significantly higher risk of switching compared with patients taking alendronate. In conclusion, no significant difference in the incidence of GIAEs was found between patients prescribed alendronate, risedronate, and strontium ranelate. Individuals prescribed raloxifene had a significantly lower risk of GIAEs compared with patients prescribed alendronate. No significant difference was found in the frequency of hospitalization for GIAEs. Switching between osteoporosis medications and drug classes was uncommon. Prescribers should consider the real-world gastrointestinal safety of osteoporosis drugs when choosing between treatment options to potentially improve medication adherence and consequently effectiveness.

Cost-effectiveness of Denosumab for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Denosumab is an injectable drug that reduces the risk of fractures. The objective was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of denosumab in a Swedish setting, also accounting for poor adherence to treatment. Denosumab is cost-effective, particularly for patients at high risk of fracture and low adherence to oral treatments.

INTRODUCTION

Denosumab is a novel biologic agent developed for the treatment of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures that has been shown to reduce the risk of fractures in a phase III trial. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of denosumab from a societal perspective compared with generic alendronate, branded risedronate, strontium ranelate, and no treatment in a Swedish setting.

METHODS

A Markov cohort model was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of denosumab given for up to 5 years to a typical Swedish patient population (women aged 71 years, T-score ≤ -2.5 SD and a prevalence of morphometric vertebral fractures of 34%). The model included treatment persistence and residual effect after discontinuation assumed to be equal to the time on treatment. Persistence with the comparator treatments and with denosumab was derived from prescription data and a persistence study, respectively.

RESULTS

The base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were estimated at €27,000, €12,000, €5,000, and €14,000, for denosumab compared with generic alendronate, risedronate, strontium ranelate, and no treatment, respectively. Sub-optimal persistence had the greatest impact in the comparison with generic alendronate, where the difference in drug cost was large.

CONCLUSION

Improving persistence with osteoporosis treatment impacts positively on cost-effectiveness with a larger number of fractures avoided in the population targeted for treatment. Denosumab is a cost-effective alternative to oral osteoporosis treatments, particularly for patients at high risk of fracture and low expected adherence to oral treatments.

Cost-effectiveness of bazedoxifene incorporating the FRAX® algorithm in a European perspective

The cost-effectiveness of bazedoxifene was compared to placebo in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK from a healthcare perspective using FRAX® for both fracture risks and for treatment efficacy. Cost/QALY differences were explained to a large extent by differences in fracture risk.

INTRODUCTION

In cost-effectiveness modelling of osteoporosis treatments, the fracture risk has traditionally been calculated with risk adjustments based on age, bone mineral density and prior fracture. However, knowledge of additional clinical risk factors contributes to fracture risk assessment as demonstrated by the FRAX® tool. Bazedoxifene, a new selective estrogen receptor modulator for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, has been shown in a phase III clinical trial to reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures in women. In an analysis using FRAX®, the efficacy of bazedoxifene was greater in patients with higher fracture risk.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of bazedoxifene compared to placebo in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK from a healthcare perspective using FRAX®. A Markov cohort model was adapted to incorporate the FRAX® risk factors. FRAX® produces relative risks for hip fractures and major osteoporotic fractures. Patients were given a 5-year intervention, reducing the risk of fractures in a risk-dependent manner. The effect of treatment on fractures was assumed to decline linearly over 5 years after the intervention.

RESULTS

There are large cost/quality-adjusted life year variations between countries in the European setting studied. The base case values ranged from cost saving (Sweden) to EUR 105,450 (Spain) in 70-year-old women with a T-score of -2.5 SD and a prior fracture.

CONCLUSION

Bazedoxifene can be a cost-effective treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. The variability between countries was explained to a large extent by differences in fracture risk, and the estimated cost-effectiveness was highly dependent on the population's FRAX®-estimated probability of major osteoporotic fracture.

The societal burden of poor persistence to treatment of osteoporosis in Sweden

OBJECTIVES

Poor persistence to prescribed treatment regimens is a well-documented health problem. The issue is of particular importance in treatment of chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to estimate the annual societal burden of real-world persistence to treatment of osteoporosis in Sweden. A second aim was to estimate the monetary net benefit of improved persistence.

METHODS

The annual societal burden was evaluated in relation to perfect persistence to a five-year treatment duration and performed using a published Markov model by Ström and colleagues. The target population was extracted from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register and based on all treatment-naïve patients who started therapy of primary osteoporosis in Sweden during 2009. Five hypothetical interventions were investigated, with improvements in the persistent proportion of between 10% and 50%.

RESULTS

Annually, a total of 1018 fractures were estimated to be caused by non-persistence to treatment of osteoporosis in Sweden. These fractures resulted in a substantial waste of health care resources related to morbidity (€26 million annually) and a loss, in total, of 771 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Using a societal willingness-to-pay for a QALY of €60000, the total annual societal burden, incorporating both monetary consequences and health effects, was estimated at €62.76 million. Given current Swedish cost-effectiveness guidelines, between approximately €225 and €1130 could be spent per patient to increase persistence, depending on the level of improvement (between 10% and 50%).

CONCLUSIONS

The total annual societal burden of current, real-world persistence was estimated at €63 million. The estimated additional fracture-related costs associated with poor persistence were larger than the current total annual expenditure on all osteoporosis medications in Sweden. Poor persistence to treatment of osteoporosis should consequently be acknowledged as an important and costly health problem, and be taken into account when evaluating osteoporosis interventions.

Identifying cost-effective treatment with raloxifene in postmenopausal women using risk algorithms for fractures and invasive breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends considering treatment in women with a 20% or higher 10-year probability of a major fracture. However, raloxifene reduces both the risk of vertebral fractures and invasive breast cancer so that raloxifene treatment may be clinically appropriate and cost-effective in women who do not meet a 20% threshold risk. The aim of this study was to identify cost-effective scenarios of raloxifene treatment compared to no treatment in younger postmenopausal women at increased risk of invasive breast cancer and fracture risks below 20%.

METHOD

A micro-simulation model populated with data specific to American Caucasian women was used to quantify the costs and benefits of 5-year raloxifene treatment. The population evaluated was selected based on 10-year major fracture probability as estimated with FRAX® being below 20% and 5-year invasive breast cancer risk as estimated with the Gail risk model ranging from 1% to 5%.

RESULTS

The cost per QALY gained ranged from US $22,000 in women age 55 with 5% invasive breast cancer risk and 15-19.9% fracture probability, to $110,000 in women age 55 with 1% invasive breast cancer risk and 5-9.9% fracture probability. Raloxifene was progressively cost-effective with increasing fracture risk and invasive breast cancer risk for a given age cohort. At lower fracture risk in combination with lower invasive breast cancer risk or when no preventive raloxifene effect on invasive breast cancer was assumed, the cost-effectiveness of raloxifene worsened markedly and was not cost-effective given a willingness-to-pay of US $50,000. At fracture risk of 15-19.9% raloxifene was cost-effective also in women at lower invasive breast cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Raloxifene is potentially cost-effective in cohorts of young postmenopausal women, who do not meet the suggested NOF 10-year fracture risk threshold. The cost-effectiveness is contingent on their 5-year invasive breast cancer risk. The result highlights the importance of considering a woman's full risk profile when considering anti-osteoporosis treatment.

Cost-effectiveness of balloon kyphoplasty in patients with symptomatic vertebral compression fractures in a UK setting

SUMMARY

Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) is a procedure used to treat vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). We developed a cost-effectiveness model to evaluate BKP in United Kingsdom patients with hospitalised VCFs and estimated the cost-effectiveness of BKP compared to non-surgical management. The results indicate that BKP provides a cost-effective alternative for treating these patients.

INTRODUCTION

VCFs of osteoporotic patients are associated with chronic pain, a reduction in health-related quality of life (QoL) and high healthcare costs. BKP is a minimally invasive procedure that has resulted in pain relief, vertebral body height-restoration, decreased kyphosis and improved physical functioning in patients with symptomatic VCFs. BKP was shown to improve health-related QoL in a 12-month interim analysis of a randomised phase-III trial.

METHODS

The objectives of this study were to develop a Markov cost-effectiveness model to evaluate BKP in patients with painful hospitalised VCFs and to estimate the cost-effectiveness of BKP compared with non-surgical management in a UK setting. It was assumed that QoL-benefits found at 12 months linearly approached zero during another 2 years, and that patients receiving BKP warranted six fewer hospital bed days compared with patients given non-surgical management.

RESULTS

The procedure was associated with quality-adjusted life-years (QALY)-gains of 0.17 and cost/QALY-gains at 8,800 pound sterling. The results were sensitive to assumptions about avoided length of hospital-stay and persistence of kyphoplasty-related QoL-benefits.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the results indicate that BKP provides a cost-effective alternative for treating patients with hospitalised VCFs in a UK-setting.

FRAX and its applications in health economics--cost-effectiveness and intervention thresholds using bazedoxifene in a Swedish setting as an example

BACKGROUND

An important aspect of cost-effectiveness analysis of osteoporosis is to accurately model the fracture risk and mortality related to the patient groups in the analysis. The estimation of fracture risk is based on a number of factors, such as the level of general risk of the normal population, the effect of treatment and the prevalence of clinical risk factors (CRFs) for fracture. Fracture risk has traditionally been calculated with risk adjustments based on age, bone mineral density and prior vertebral fracture. The treatment effect has been derived from clinical trials and, in the absence of subgroup analyses, the same efficacy has been assumed irrespective of the fracture risk of the population. The FRAX tool enables the estimation of risk based on a wider range of risk factors, and treatment efficacy that is dependent on the level of risk in the analyzed population. The objective was to describe the implementation of the FRAX algorithms into health economic osteoporosis models and to highlight how it differs from traditional risk assessment.

METHODS

The selective estrogen receptor modulator, bazedoxifene, was evaluated in a Swedish setting with traditional and FRAX-based risk assessment in a previously developed Markov model that included fractures and thromboembolic events, and also was adapted to accommodate risk-dependent efficacy, which is available for bazedoxifene.

RESULTS

The traditional approach gave lower ICERs at ages up to 60 years compared to the FRAX method when only considering age, BMD and prior fracture. At 70 years and older and when adding more CRFs with the FRAX approach, the FRAX ICER decreased and fell below the traditional approach. The risk dependant efficacy was the main reason for lower ICERs with FRAX in women at higher risk of fracture.

DISCUSSION

FRAX applied in cost-effectiveness analyses is a more granular method for the estimation of fracture risk, mortality and efficacy compared to previous approaches that can also improve case finding. Furthermore, it facilitates the estimation of cost-effectiveness for various types of patients with different combinations of CRFs, which more closely matches patients in clinical practice.

Development and use of FRAX in osteoporosis

This paper reviews briefly the development and clinical use of FRAX in the development of assessment guidelines for osteoporosis.Fractures are the clinical consequence of osteoporosis and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several treatments are available that have been shown to decrease the risk of fracture, but problems arise in identifying individuals at high fracture risk so that treatments can be effectively targeted. Case finding can be enhanced by the consideration of clinical risk factors that provide information on fracture risk over and above that provided by bone mineral density measurements. The FRAX tool integrates information on fracture risk from clinical risk factors with or without the use of BMD and can be used to improve the targeting of individuals at high fracture risk.

The cost-effectiveness of risedronate in the UK for the management of osteoporosis using the FRAX

SUMMARY

The study estimated the cost-effectiveness of risedronate compared to no treatment in UK women using the FRAX algorithm for fracture risk assessment. A Markov cohort model was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness. Risedronate was found cost-effective from the age of 65 years, assuming a willingness to pay for a QALY of 30,000 pounds.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of risedronate for the prevention and treatment in a UK setting using the FRAX algorithm for fracture risk assessment. A further aim was to establish intervention thresholds with risedronate treatment.

METHODS

The cost-effectiveness of risedronate was compared to no treatment in post-menopausal women with clinical risk factors for fracture using a Markov cohort model populated with data relevant for the UK. The model incorporated the features of FRAX (the WHO risk assessment tool). The analysis had a health care perspective and quality adjusted life years was used as the main outcome measure.

RESULTS

Treatment was cost-effective from the age of 65 years, assuming a willingness to pay for a QALY of 30,000 pounds. Treatment was also cost-effective at all ages in women who had previously sustained a fragility fracture or in women with a parental history of hip fracture with a bone mineral density set at the threshold of osteoporosis. At the 30,000 pounds threshold value for a QALY, risedronate was on average found to cost-effective below the 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fractures of 13.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Risedronate is a cost-effective agent for the treatment of established osteoporosis (osteoporosis and a prior fragility fracture) in women from the age of 50 years and older and above 65 years in women with osteoporosis alone. The results support the treatment recommendations in recent UK guidelines for osteoporosis.

The cost-effectiveness of strontium ranelate in the UK for the management of osteoporosis

The cost-effectiveness of strontium ranelate was compared to no treatment in UK women using the FRAX algorithm for fracture risk assessment. At a willingness-to-pay of pound 30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), strontium ranelate was generally cost-effective in women with prior fracture at the threshold of osteoporosis from an age of 65 years.

INTRODUCTION

The objectives of the study were to estimate the cost-effectiveness of strontium ranelate in the UK for the treatment of osteoporosis and to establish intervention thresholds for treatment using the FRAX tool.

METHODS

The cost-effectiveness of strontium ranelate was compared to no treatment in postmenopausal women with clinical risk factors for fracture using a lifetime simulation model based on Markov cohort methodology that incorporated the features of FRAX.

RESULTS

At a threshold of pound 30,000 per QALY, strontium ranelate was generally cost-effective in women from an age of 65 years with prior fracture at the threshold of osteoporosis (i.e., a T-score of -2.5 SD) and in women with a prior fracture (and no information on bone mineral density) from the age of 65 years. At a threshold of pound 20,000, strontium ranelate became cost-effective at a 10-year fracture probability of 25.7% and at 16.9% with a threshold of pound 30,000 for a QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

Strontium ranelate is a cost-effective agent for the treatment of established osteoporosis in women over the age of 65 years. Cost-effective scenarios were also found for the prevention and treatment of fractures associated with osteoporosis, in younger women with additional clinical risk factors.

Cost-effectiveness of hormone therapy in the United States

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of 5 years of treatment with hormone therapy (HT) compared with no treatment for women with menopausal symptoms in the United States.

METHODS

A Markov cohort simulation model was used with tunnel techniques to assess the cost-effectiveness of HT in women aged 50 years, based on a societal perspective. Clinical data, where possible, used results taken from the Women Health Initiative (WHI). The model had a lifetime horizon with cycle lengths of 1 year and contained the following disease states: hip fracture, vertebral fracture, wrist fracture, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, and venous thromboembolic events. An intervention was modelled by its impact on the disease risks during and after stopping treatment. The model required data on clinical effects, risks, mortality rates, quality of life weights, and costs. The main outcome of the model was cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained on HT compared with no treatment.

RESULTS

The results indicated that it was cost-effective to treat women with menopausal symptoms with HT in the United States. The severity of menopausal symptoms was the single most important determinant of cost-effectiveness, but HT remained cost-effective even where symptoms were mild or effects on symptom relief were small.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of women with menopausal symptoms with HT is cost-effective.

Cost effectiveness of teriparatide and PTH(1-84) in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

OBJECTIVES

The purpose was to assess the cost effectiveness from a societal perspective of the recombinant human parathyroid hormones: PTH(1-34) (teriparatide) and PTH(1-84) for patients with osteoporosis with similar characteristics to patients treated in normal clinical practice in Sweden.

METHODS

A Markov model of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women was developed using 6-month cycles and a lifetime horizon. The model was populated with patients similar to the Swedish cohort of the European Forsteo Observational Study (postmenopausal women; mean age: 70 years, total hip T-score: -2.7 and 3.3 previous fractures). The cost effectiveness of both teriparatide and PTH(1-84) was estimated compared to no treatment and each other. Relative effectiveness assumptions were based on efficacy estimates from two phase III clinical trials.

RESULTS

The cost per QALY gained of teriparatide vs. no treatment was estimated at €43,473 and PTH(1-84) was estimated at €104,396. Teriparatide was indicated to be less costly and associated with more life-years and QALYs than PTH(1-84). When assuming no treatment effect on hip fractures the cost per QALY gained was €88,379. In the sensitivity analysis the cost effectiveness did not alter substantially with changes in the majority of the model parameters except for the residual effect of the treatment after stopping therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the efficacy estimates from pivotal clinical trials and characteristics of patients treated in clinical practice in Sweden, teriparatide seems to be a more cost-effective option than PTH(1-84) when compared to no treatment. The relative efficacy between the two PTH compounds was based on an indirect comparison from two separate clinical trials which has to be considered when interpreting the results.

Cost-effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms in the UK

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of five-year treatment of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) compared with no treatment for women with menopausal symptoms in the UK.

METHOD

A Markov cohort simulation model with tunnel techniques was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of HRT in women aged 50 years. For the clinical effects of HRT we used, where possible, results taken from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). The model had a life-time horizon with cycle lengths of one year and contained the following disease states: hip fracture, vertebral fracture, wrist fracture, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke and venous thromboembolic events. An intervention was modelled by its impact on the disease risks during and after stopping treatment. The model was populated with UK-specific data on risks, mortality rates, quality-of-life weights and costs. The main outcome of the model was cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained of HRT compared with no treatment.

RESULTS

The results indicated that it was cost-effective to treat women with menopausal symptoms with HRT in the UK. The severity of menopausal symptoms was the single most important determinant of cost-effectiveness, but HRT remained cost-effective even where symptoms were mild or effects on symptom relief were small.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of women with menopausal symptoms with HRT is cost-effective.

FRAX and its applications to clinical practice

The introduction of the WHO FRAX algorithms has facilitated the assessment of fracture risk on the basis of fracture probability. FRAX integrates the influence of several well validated risk factors for fracture with or without the use of BMD. Its use in fracture risk prediction poses challenges for patient assessment, the development of practice guidelines, the evaluation of drug efficacy and reimbursement, as well as for health economics which are the topics outlined in this review.

Incorporating adherence into health economic modelling of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis medications are seldom taken according to the recommendations of health-care providers. A theoretical model was constructed to investigate the variables of drug adherence that affect the cost-effectiveness of drugs, using osteoporosis treatment as a model. Important variables were the magnitude of drug effect, drug price, and fracture-related costs.

INTRODUCTION

Adherence to anti-fracture medication is far from optimal and poses a challenge in osteoporosis management. The objectives of this study were to develop a model that could address adherence and identify the important drivers of cost-effectiveness.

METHODS

An individual state transition model was constructed to compare two theoretical medications, one of which conferred optimal adherence and was 50% more costly. Adherence was divided into persistence and compliance. Partial compliance was assumed to be associated with a 20% loss of anti-fracture effect. Non-persistent patients had an offset time as long as their time on medication, to a maximum of 5 years.

RESULTS

The potentially important drivers of cost-effectiveness include reduced drug effectiveness due to poor compliance, offset time, fracture risk, anti-fracture drug effect, and drug price. Optimal adherence was associated with fewer osteoporotic fractures, and the impact was more evident among those with prior fractures. However, the health benefits of adherence were often partially offset by increased intervention costs associated with the improved drug-taking behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

High adherence is likely to be associated with added value for health-care systems, but should be used with care as a central health economic argument.

The cost-effectiveness of the treatment of high risk women with osteoporosis, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia in Sweden

This paper assessed the cost-effectiveness of the treatment of high risk women with osteoporosis, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia in Sweden, using one model and a societal perspective. Cost-effective scenarios were found in all these chronic disorders. These findings are of relevance for decisions on the efficient allocation of health care resources.

INTRODUCTION

There is a need to assess the cost-effectiveness (CE) of treatment of osteoporosis from a societal perspective and to relate this to the CE of interventions in other disease areas. This is of relevance for decisions on the efficient allocation of health care resources within and between disease areas. The purpose of the paper was to estimate the CE of the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and to put that into the perspective of treating hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. The CE was assessed for different high risk female populations aged 50-80 years.

METHODS

The estimation of CE was based on a model populated with data for Sweden.

RESULTS

Compared to no intervention, a 5-year treatment of osteoporosis, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia, is cost effective for most of the assessed high risk female populations. The cost per gained quality adjusted life year (QALY) for the treatment of a 70-year-old woman never exceeded SEK 330,000 (US$ 44,000), which is generally judged as an acceptable cost for a gained QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrates that it is possible to produce reliable estimates of the CE of treatments in different disease areas within the context of a single model.

Long-term cost and effect on quality of life of osteoporosis-related fractures in Sweden

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Few economic or quality-of-life studies have investigated the long-term consequences of fragility fractures. This prospective observational data collection study assessed the cost and quality of life related to hip, vertebral, and wrist fracture 13-18 months after the fracture, based on 684 patients surviving 18 months after fracture.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data regarding resource use and quality of life related to fractures was collected using questionnaires at 7 research centers in Sweden. Information was collected using patient records, register sources, and by asking the patient. Quality of life was estimated using the EQ-5D questionnaire. Direct and indirect costs were estimated from a societal standpoint.

RESULTS

The mean fracture-related cost 13-18 months after a hip, vertebral, or wrist fracture were estimated to be euro2,422, euro3,628, and euro316, respectively. Between 12 and 18 months after hip, vertebral, and wrist fracture, utility increased by 0.03, 0.05, and 0.02, respectively. Compared to prefracture levels, the mean loss in quality of life between 13 and 18 months after fracture was estimated to be 0.05, 0.11, and 0.005 for hip, vertebral, and wrist fracture.

INTERPRETATION

The sample of vertebral fracture patients was fairly small and included a high proportion of fractures leading to hospitalization, but the results indicate higher long-term costs and greater loss in quality of life related to vertebral fracture than previously believed.

Cost effectiveness of hormone therapy in women at high risks of fracture in Sweden, the US and the UK--results based on the Women's Health Initiative randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to assess the cost effectiveness of hormone therapy (HT) for postmenopausal women without menopausal symptoms at an increased risk of fracture in Sweden, the UK and the US.

METHODS

Using a state-transition model, the cost effectiveness of 50 year old women was assessed based on a societal perspective and the medical evidence found in the Women Health Initiative (WHI) trials. The model had a lifetime horizon divided into cycle lengths of 1 year and comprised the following disease states: hip fracture, vertebral fracture, wrist fracture, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke and venous thromboembolic events. An intervention was modelled by its impact on the disease risks during and after the cessation of treatment. The model required data on clinical effects, risks, mortality rates, quality of life weights and costs valid for Sweden, the UK and the US. The main outcome of the model was cost per QALY gained of HT compared to no treatment.

RESULTS

The results indicated that HT compared to no treatment was cost-effective for most sub-groups of hysterectomised women, whereas for women with an intact uterus without a previous fracture, HT was commonly dominated by no treatment. Fracture risks were the single most important determinant of the cost effectiveness results.

CONCLUSIONS

HT is cost-effective in women with a hysterectomy irrespective of prior fracture status. In women with an intact uterus, opposed HT was cost-effective in those with a prior vertebral fracture, but cost-ineffective in women without a prior vertebral fracture. Even though HT is found cost-effective for a selection of osteoporotic women, it is unlikely to be considered for first-line therapy for osteoporosis because bisphosphonates have shown a similar reduction in fracture risks but without an increased risk of adverse events.

Cost-effectiveness of alendronate in the treatment of postmenopausal women in 9 European countries--an economic evaluation based on the fracture intervention trial

Treatment with alendronate (Fosamax) has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of fragility fractures. Cost-effectiveness of treatment was assessed in nine European countries in a Markov model and was generally found to be cost effective in women with a previous spine fracture.

INTRODUCTION

Treatment with alendronate (Fosamax) reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures at the spine, hip and wrist in women with and without prevalent vertebral fracture. Cost-effectiveness estimates in one country may not be applicable elsewhere due to differences in fracture risks, costs and drug prices. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of treating postmenopausal women with alendronate in nine European countries, comprising Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.

METHODS

A Markov model was populated with data for the nine European populations. Effect of treatment was taken from the Fracture Intervention Trial, which recruited women with low BMD alone or with a prior vertebral fracture.

RESULTS

The cost per QALY gained of treating postmenopausal women with prior vertebral fractures ranged in the base case from "cost saving" in the Scandinavian countries to <euro>15,000 in Italy. Corresponding estimates for women without prior vertebral fractures ranged from "cost saving" to <euro>40,000.

CONCLUSIONS

In relation to thresholds generally used, the analysis suggests that alendronate is very cost effective in the treatment of women with previous vertebral fracture, and in women without previous vertebral fracture, cost-effectiveness depends on the country setting, discount rates, and chosen monetary thresholds.

The societal burden of osteoporosis in Sweden

In osteoporosis, the bone mass is decreased, thereby increasing the risk of fractures. Common osteoporotic fractures include those at the hip, the spine and the forearm. Fractures are a burden to society; in terms of costs, morbidity and mortality. The main objective of this study was to estimate the burden of osteoporosis in Sweden. The study used a prevalence-based bottom-up approach to estimate the total annual burden of osteoporosis in Sweden. The burden was assessed from a societal perspective including medical care costs, non-medical care costs, informal care and indirect costs. Moreover, the value of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) lost because of fractures was included in the total burden estimations. The total annual fracture cost was estimated at MSEK 5639, which is about 3.2% of the total health care costs in Sweden. Community care was the most important cost category accounting for 66% of the total annual cost followed by medical care costs (31%), informal care (2%) and indirect costs (1%). By combining the annual value of QALYs lost (MSEK 10354) and the annual fracture costs, the total annual societal burden of osteoporosis in Sweden was estimated at MSEK 15183. Assuming no changes in the age-differentiated fracture risk, the annual burden of osteoporosis was projected to increase to MSEK 26301 in the year 2050. The present study shows the societal burden of osteoporosis in Sweden to be higher than previously perceived. This burden is substantial and must be acknowledged as an important health problem. Osteoporosis-related fractures do not only lead to high medical care costs but also to high community care costs.

Cost-effectiveness of the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis--a review of the literature and a reference model

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the paper is to update and review the latest developments related to modelling and economic evaluation of osteoporosis in the period 2002-2005 and further to present a reference model for the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

DISCUSSION

The reference model is intended to be used for fracture specific interventions affecting the risk of fracture. An interface version and an extensive description of the model is available on the internet ( http://www.healtheconomics.se ) and also accessible via the International Osteoporosis Foundation ( http://www.osteofound.org ). The purpose of the reference model is to improve the quality and comparability of cost-effectiveness analysis in the osteoporosis field and to serve as a tool for validation of present and future cost-effectiveness models. The reference model allows the cost-effectiveness analysis to be carried out from a societal perspective including intervention, morbidity and mortality costs. The model has been extensively tested and calibrated, and meets the properties of good decision analytic modelling. The model is a state transition Markov cohort model, which is characterised by a 50-year time horizon divided into one year cycle lengths. The following health states are included: "healthy", "hip fracture", "spine fracture", "wrist fracture", "other fracture", and "dead".

CONCLUSION

The model is flexible and allows for the estimation of the cost-effectiveness over different ranges for a selected number of variables (e.g., age, fracture risk, cost of intervention).

The economic burden of depression in Sweden from 1997 to 2005

BACKGROUND

Depression is one of the most common causes of disability and is associated with substantial reductions in the individual's quality of life. The aim of this study was to estimate the economic burden of depression to Swedish society from 1997 to 2005.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted in a cost-of-illness framework, measuring both the direct cost of providing health care to depressive patients, and the indirect costs as the value of production that is lost due to morbidity or mortality. The costs were estimated by a prevalence and top-down approach.

RESULTS

The cost of depression increased from a total of 1.7 billion euros in 1997 to 3.5 billion euros in 2005, representing a doubling of the burden of depression to society. The main reason for the cost increase is found in the significant increase in indirect costs due to sick leave and early retirement during the past decade, whereas direct costs were relatively stable over time. In 2005, indirect costs were estimated at 3 billion euros (86% of total costs) and direct costs at 500 million euros (16%). Cost of drugs was estimated at 100 million euros (3% of total cost).

CONCLUSION

The cost of depression is substantial to society and the main cost driver is indirect costs due to sick leave and early retirement. The cost of depression has doubled during the past eight years making it a major public health concern for the individuals afflicted, carers and decision makers.

An economic evaluation of strontium ranelate in the treatment of osteoporosis in a Swedish setting: based on the results of the SOTI and TROPOS trials

INTRODUCTION

Strontium ranelate is a new therapy for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis that has been shown in two phase III clinical trials (the Spinal Osteoporosis Therapeutic Intervention [SOTI] and the Treatment Of Peripheral OSteoporosis Study [TROPOS] trials) to reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures at the vertebral, non-vertebral and hip level in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to estimate the potential cost-effectiveness of strontium ranelate in the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Swedish patients.

METHODS

A Markov cohort model was adapted to fit patients corresponding to the patients in the SOTI and TROPOS clinical trials. The model was populated with Swedish cost and epidemiological data. In the base case, the cost-effectiveness was estimated for 69-year old women with low bone mineral density (BMD) and prevalent vertebral fractures (SOTI) and for 77-year old women with low BMD (TROPOS). The cost-effectiveness analysis had a societal perspective.

RESULTS

In the base case analysis, the cost per quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained of strontium ranelate patients compared to no treatment patients was estimated at SEK 472,586 and SEK 259,643, including costs in added life years, based on the SOTI and the TROPOS trials, respectively. Excluding cost in added life years, the cost per QALY gained was estimated at SEK 336,420 (SOTI) and SEK 165,680 (TROPOS). In subgroup analyses, in patients 74 years and older with a T-score lower than -2.4 and patients older than 80 years of age, strontium ranelate was found to be cost saving compared to no treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The results in the base case analyses and the sensitivity analyses of this study indicate that, compared to no treatment, strontium ranelate is cost-effective in the treatment of postmenopausal women with low BMD.