11.07.2015 Views

Verteporfin photodynamic therapy for neovascular age-related ...

Verteporfin photodynamic therapy for neovascular age-related ...

Verteporfin photodynamic therapy for neovascular age-related ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

DOI: 10.3310/hta16060Health Technology Assessment 2012; Vol. 16: No. 633included all relevant costs to HSS. 28 The main assumptions underlying this CEA are reportedin Box 2.The study used the BCVA measures reported in the TAP trial to assess the cost-effectiveness ofVPDT versus BSC. 3 The effect of VPDT on BCVA was taken from the subgroup of eyes withpredominantly classic lesions in the TAP trials; the effectiveness of VPDT was largest in thissubgroup of eyes (mean difference in BCVA letters lost from baseline of 11 letters at 2 years),which was the basis <strong>for</strong> the previous NICE recommendations. 3,6,30 This report combines thesedata from the TAP trials with estimates from the VPDT cohort study of (a) the relationshipbetween BCVA and HRQoL (see How effective is verteporfin <strong>photodynamic</strong> <strong>therapy</strong>?), (b)treatment frequency in routine practice (see A: Is verteporfin <strong>photodynamic</strong> <strong>therapy</strong> in the NHSprovided as in randomised trials?) and (c) the relationship between BCVA and HSS cost (usingthe same methods as when estimating the relationship between BCVA and HRQoL, described inHow effective is verteporfin <strong>photodynamic</strong> <strong>therapy</strong>?). This report also estimates the costs of VPDTin routine practice and the cost-effectiveness of PDT versus BSC over 2 years.Costs of verteporfin <strong>photodynamic</strong> <strong>therapy</strong> and best supportive careThe VPDT cohort study recorded the number of outpatient visits, tests per<strong>for</strong>med (colourphotography or FA) and VPDT treatments administered. For each patient, the treatment costswere measured from the date on which the first eligible eye was treated <strong>for</strong> up to 2 years. Costswere categorised as falling in year 1 or year 2 (Definition of year 1 and year 2). Because theprobability of receiving one FA <strong>for</strong> each visit (whether a treatment or follow-up visit) exceeded0.95 <strong>for</strong> > 90% of study centres, it was assumed that there was one FA <strong>for</strong> each visit.We assumed that one vial of verteporfin was used per treated eye as stipulated in the licence.<strong>Verteporfin</strong> costs were taken from the British National Formulary (£860 per treatment) andexcluded value added tax. 53 The numbers of treatment and follow-up visits were combined withnational unit costs (£113 and £67 <strong>for</strong> treatment and follow-up visits respectively). 54The costs of BSC were estimated by assuming plausible costs <strong>for</strong> follow-up without VPDT.In the base-case analysis, it was assumed that there would be on aver<strong>age</strong> 1 and 1.5 low-visionassessments scheduled in years 1 and 2 respectively.Health and social sciences use and costs <strong>related</strong> to vision lossThe cost of HSS <strong>for</strong> patients affected by nAMD was estimated from the HSS use questionnaireswhich were administered every 6 months to patients attending a subset of 18 of the participatingBOX 2 Assumptions made in the CEAThe target population was patients treated with VPDT in routine NHS practiceVPDT treatment was given to the better-seeing eyenAMD costs and HRQoL only varied according to BCVA which, in turn, depends on whether treatment is or isnot given and changes over time as described in the TAP trialsTreatment frequency was as observed in VPDT studyFor patients having both eyes treated, the treatment costs were assumed to be the twice the costs <strong>for</strong> patientshaving a single eye treatedTo calculate QALYs from HRQoL, it was assumed that there was no mortalityCosts and QALYs in year 2 were discounted at 3.5%© Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO 2012. This work was produced by Reeves et al. under the terms of a commissioning contract issued by theSecretary of State <strong>for</strong> Health.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!