To analyze the net benefit and cost-effectiveness of methotrexate use and Goeckerman therapy for psoriasis. Design Net benefit and cost-effectiveness depend on the costs, efficacy, and utilities of therapy.
Utilities are quantitative measures of patient preferences.
We obtained costs by using resource-based accounting techniques. Efficacy was estimated from literature reports. We surveyed patients with psoriasis, dermatologists, and healthy subjects using utility assessment methods. All assumptions were examined in a sensitivity analysis. Main Outcome Measures For net benefit, if benefits outweighed the costs, it was deemed worth providing.