All existing economic evaluations in smoking cessation lack in one or more key study attributes necessary to be fully transferable to a new context
AIMS To identify different types of models used in economic evaluations of smoking cessation , analyse the quality of the included models examining their attributes and ascertain their transferability to a new context .
Cost-effectiveness of varenicline compared with nicotine patches for smoking cessation--results from four European countries.
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cost-effectiveness of varenicline with nicotine replacement therapy ( NRT ) for smoking cessation in four European countries ( Belgium , France , Sweden and the UK ) . METHODS Markov simulations , using the Benefits of Smoking Cessation on Outcomes ( BENESCO ) model , were performed . We simulated the incidence of four smoking-related morbidities : lung cancer , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , coronary heart disease and stroke . The model computes quality -adjusted life-years gained and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios . Incremental cost-utility ratios were calculated , adopting a lifetime perspective . Efficacy data were obtained from a r and omized open-label trial : Week 52 continuous abstinence rates were 26.1 % for varenicline and 20.3 % for NRT . RESULTS The analyses imply that for countries analysed , smoking cessation using varenicline versus NRT was associated with reduced smoking-related morbidity and mortality . The number of morbidities avoided , per 1000 smokers attempting to quit , ranged from 9.7 in Belgium to 6.5 in the UK . The number of quality -adjusted life-years gained , per 1000 smokers , was 23 ( Belgium ) ; 19.5 ( France ) ; 29.9 ( Sweden ) ; and 23.7 ( UK ) . In all base-case simulations ( except France ) , varenicline dominated ( more effective and cost saving ) NRT regarding costs per quality -adjusted life-year gained ; for France the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 2803 . CONCLUSION This cost-effectiveness analysis demonstrated that since varenicline treatment was more effective , the result was increased healthcare cost savings in Belgium , Sweden and the UK . Our results suggest that funding varenicline as a smoking cessation aid is justifiable from a healthcare re source allocation perspective
All existing economic evaluations in smoking cessation lack in one or more key study attributes necessary to be fully transferable to a new context
AIMS To identify different types of models used in economic evaluations of smoking cessation , analyse the quality of the included models examining their attributes and ascertain their transferability to a new context .