Economic analysis of immunosuppression in transplantation: a review of recent studies in liver and kidney transplantation

Abstract

Organ transplantation has been widely recognized as the preferred approach, both clinically and economically, to the management of severe disease in several organs of the human body. In spite of the high initial cost of the surgical procedures the extensive patient benefits make such interventions a cost-effective use of health care resources. In many situations, such as chronic heart disease or liver failure, there is no other treatment which can ensure patient survival, so the benefit of transplantation comes in the form of years of life gained. In other organs, such as the kidney, alternative approaches exist which can prolong life. However, the quality of life of patients on dialysis can be much worse than for those with a successful transplant, so significant patient benefits come in the form of quality-adjusted life years which combine the gain in length and quality of life.