Summary
The aim of this study was to assess the costs of immunoglobulin treatment in patients with antibody deficiencies from the perspective of the Tuscany Health Service. We conducted a Cost-Minimization Analysis (CMA) to compare the annual costs of subcutaneous immunoglobulins (SCIG) vs. intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG). We built a model in which two cohorts of patients received SCIG or IVIG. The model observed the patients for 12 months and was populated using data from Careggi’s Immunoallergology Centre. The model considered only direct medical costs (immunoglobulin, premedication, infusion pump, infusion materials, medical staff, ambulatory). Sensitivity analysis on key economic parameters were performed. SCIG showed the best expected cost versus IVIG of € 15,195.91 and € 17,408.89, respectively. The difference in favour of SCIG (€ 2,212.98) is made by lower costs both for medical staff and ambulatory. This economic evaluation showed that SCIG is a cost-saving strategy compared with IVIG in the treatment of patients with antibody deficiencies from the perspective of the Tuscany Health Service.
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Matucci, A., Ravasio, R., Vultaggio, A. et al. Analisi di minimizzazione dei costi della terapia con immunoglobuline (Ig) per il trattamento di pazienti con immunodeficienza primaria: confronto tra terapia con Ig sottocute vs endovena. G. Ital. Health Technol. Assess 1, 31–37 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03320711
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03320711