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- Davidson, Thomas, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Direct valuation of health state among patients with chest pain : Does income level matter
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Annan publikation (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- There is still uncertainty over where to include the production loss caused by morbidity in cost-effectiveness analyses. This loss could be included as a cost; but if individuals take their own income into consideration when valuing health states, this would lead to double counting. The purpose of this study was to find out whether individuals’ incomes can explain their valuations of their own current health states.The sample consisted of 156 patients (312 observations) admitted to hospital with chest pain (the FRISC II trial). These patients valued their own current health states by using the time trade-off method (TTO) and a visual analogue scale (VAS). They also answered the EQ-5D instrument and stated their monthly income. Income level was additionally controlled via their taxed income at the tax agency, together with their income generated from capital. Generalised estimation equations were used to test whether the EQ- 5D dimensions and monthly gross income could explain the variation in the valuations of the health states.The results indicate that neither self-stated nor taxed income could explain the variation in the valuations made by TTO. However, self-stated income (but not taxed income) was a significant variable in explaining variation in the VAS valuations.These findings support the inclusion of the production loss caused by morbidity in the analysis, as these costs are not, or at least not to any great extent, implicitly incorporated in the individuals’ QALY weights when TTO is used to value the health states. Using a VAS, some income effects may be included.
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| 2. |
- Ekerstad, Niklas, 1969-, et al.
(författare)
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Frailty as a Predictor of Short-Term Outcomes for Elderly Patients with non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background – For the large and growing population of elderly patients with cardiovascular disease it is important to identify clinically relevant measures of biological age and their contribution to risk. Frailty is an emerging concept in medicine denoting increased vulnerability and decreased physiologic reserves. We analyzed how the variable frailty predicts short-term outcomes for elderly NSTEMI patients. Methods and Results – Patients, aged 75 years or older, with diagnosed NSTEMI were included at three centers, and clinical data including judgement of frailty were collected prospectively. Frailty was defined according to the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Of 307 patients, 150 (48.5%) were considered frail. Frail patients were slightly older and presented with a greater burden of comorbidity. By multiple logistic regression, frailty was found to be a strong independent risk factor for inhospital mortality, one-month mortality (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 10.8) and the primary composite outcome (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.7). Particularly frail patients with a high comorbidity burden manifested a markedly increased risk for the primary composite outcome. By multiple linear regression, frailty was identified as a strong independent predictor for prolonged hospital care (frail 13.4 bed days, non-frail 7.5 bed days; P<0.0001). Conclusions - Frailty is a strong independent predictor of in-hospital mortality, one-month mortality, prolonged hospital care and the primary composite outcome. The combined use of frailty and comorbidity may constitute an ultimate risk prediction concept regarding cardiovascular patients with complex needs.
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| 3. |
- Janzon, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term cost-effectiveness of invasive strategy in patients with unstable coronary artery disease : results from the FRISC II invasive trial
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background The use of coronary catheterisation and revascularisation in unstable coronary artery disease (UCAD) varies, which could have important consequences for patients as well as for health care costs. Our objective was to examine the total two-year costs and the long-term cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of these strategies.Methods All 2457 patients in the FRISC II invasive trial, randomised to an early invasive strategy with coronary catheterisation and revascularisation if appropriate or to a non-invasive strategy with coronary catheterisation only for recurrent ischemic symptoms or a positive stress test, were included in the economic evaluation. The patients' use of health services as well as productivity losses were recorded prospectively. Health state scores were obtained five times during the two-year follow-up. Health effects and costs appearing after two years were modelled.Findings The mean total cost was Swedish kronor (SEK) 11 386 (£ 850) higher in the invasive group. 1bis difference was not statistically significant. The estimated cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained for the invasive strategy, based on within trial results and projected life expectancy, was SEK 22 873 (£ 1 707). These results were consistent in most subgroups. The estimated cost per life year gained was SEK 57 651 (£ 4 302). If costs for added life years were included, the cost per QALY was SEK 78 077 (£ 5 827) for invasive strategy.Interpretation Invasive strategy in patients with unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction was shown to be highly cost-effective in the long term.
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| 4. |
- Szymanowski, Aleksander, et al.
(författare)
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Soluble markers of apoptosis in myocardial infarction patients during acute phase and 6-month follow up
- 2015
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate circulating markers of apoptosis in the acute phase and at follow8up in patients with ST8elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non8ST8elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).BackgroundMyocardial cell death during acute MI results from necrosis, apoptosis and autophagy. An elevated rate of apoptosis can continue for several days after the acute event, contributing to an increased final infarct size. Moreover, a lower but still increased apoptosis can continue for months resulting in left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and heart failure. Few studies have analysed markers of apoptosis longitudinally in MI patients. Also, it is not known whether STEMI and NSTEMI patients differ in regard to these markers. MethodsThis study is a prespecified substudy of the APACHE trial. We included 61 STEMI and 40 NSTEMI patients. Blood samples for analysis of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR) 1, sTNFR2, sFas, sFas ligand (sFasL) and IL86 were collected at baseline prior to PCI, at 3 days and at 6 months. High sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) was measured at 688 hours and echocardiography was performed at 283 days after admission to hospital.ResultsSTEMI compared to NSTEMI patients showed very similar temporal patterns for each of the markers of apoptosis analyzed. Levels of sTNFRs increased from baseline to day 3 and the absolute increase as well as day 3 levels correlated significantly with TnT. At 6 months, sTNFR1 had returned to baseline whereas levels of sTNFR2 were still elevated. Soluble Fas and sFasL did not change from baseline to day 3, and both markers were significantly lower in the acute phase compared to 6 months. Indeed, sFas at day 3 correlated negatively with TnT. At all time points, plasma sTNFRs were significantly higher in patients with reduced LV function, whereas no such associations with sFas or sFasL was observed. ConclusionsThe TNF and Fas/FasL pathways of apoptosis, as reflected by soluble markers, show markedly different temporal changes after an acute MI, indicating diverse roles of these two systems. STEMI compared to NSTEMI patients showed very similar temporal patterns for all the analyzed markers, suggesting apoptosis to be equally involved in myocardial damage of either infarct type.
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