BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroids remain underused among United States-based clinicians in treating mild-to-moderate @entity565 . OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to estimate the clinical impact, health-related quality of life, cost, and cost-effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroid therapy in a population of @entity1 aged 18 years and over with FEV(1) = 60% to 100% of predicted normal. METHODS: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of quick relievers (eg, short-acting beta-agonists) on an as-needed basis plus inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus quick relievers alone. A mathematical simulation model was developed to forecast symptoms, acute exacerbations, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), health care costs, and cost-effectiveness, measured in both dollars per QALY gained and dollars per symptom-free day gained. All evaluation outcomes were discounted at an annual rate of 3% and measured over a 10-year planning horizon. Data on the natural history of disease, drug efficacy, @entity1 preferences, and economic costs were obtained from a variety of observational cohorts, randomized trials, and @entity1 surveys. RESULTS: Over a 10-year period, use of inhaled @entity288 increases total health costs from roughly  5,200 to  8,400 and improves QALYs from 6.8 to 7.0, implying an incremental cost of  13,500 per QALY gained. Costs per symptom-free day gained are  7.50. Both per- @entity1 acute exacerbations and hospitalizations are reduced by 33%. The cost-effectiveness findings are sensitive to the assumed efficacy and side-effects of inhaled corticosteroid therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled corticosteroids appear to deliver good comparative value in adults with mild-to-moderate @entity565 . Although more research is needed to understand their impact on preferences regarding side effects and compliance, these findings might be useful for priority-setting in limited resource situations.

Cost-effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids in adults with mild-to-moderate XXXX : results from the @entity565 policy model.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient', 'person'] @entity565 :: ('MESH:D001249', 'Disease') :: ['asthma', 'adult asthma'] @entity288 :: ('MESH:D000305', 'Chemical') :: ['corticosteroids']
@entity565 :: (MESH:D001249,Disease) :: ['asthma']
