Modeling Comparative Effectiveness and the Value of Research
Authors: Anirban Basu
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2009)

Editorials4 August 2009Modeling Comparative Effectiveness and the Value of ResearchAnirban Basu, PhD and David Meltzer, MD, PhDAnirban Basu, PhDFrom The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.Search for more papers by this author and David Meltzer, MD, PhDFrom The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-3-200908040-00010 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Mathematical models of the effects of alternative medical treatments or health policies are important tools for comparative effectiveness research (1, 2). In this issue, Walensky and colleagues (3) report the results of a mathematical model of the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) use for HIV in South Africa. They attempt to answer 2 related policy questions. First, given that randomized clinical trials are under way to determine the optimal starting point for ART, what would be the likely cost-effectiveness of a higher (<0.350 × 109 cells/L) versus lower (<0.250 × 109 cells/L) CD4 count threshold for initiating ART while waiting 5 years for the ...References1. Girosi F, Cordova A, Eibner C, Gresenz CR, Keeler E, Ringel J, et al. Overview of the COMPARE Microsimulation Model. RAND Health working paper series WR-650. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Health; January 2009. Accessed at www.randcompare.org/downloads/COMPARE_Model_Overview.pdf on 15 June 2009. Google Scholar2. Garrett AB, Clemans-Cope L, Masi P, Bovbjerg RR. The Urban Institute's Microsimulation Model for Reinsurance: Model Construction and State-Specific Application. Urban Institute Report. Washington, DC: Urban Institute; May 2008. Accessed at www.statecoverage.org/files/Microsimulation%20Model%20for%20Reinsurance.pdf on 15 June 2009. Google Scholar3. Walensky RP, Wolf LL, Wood R, Fofana MO, Freedberg KA, Martinson , et al. When to start antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings. Ann Intern Med. 2009;151:157-66. LinkGoogle Scholar4. Meltzer D. Future costs in medical cost-effectiveness Analysis.. In: Jones AM, eds. The Elgar Companion to Health Economics. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing; 2006. Google Scholar5. Garber AM, Meltzer DO. Setting priorities for comparative effectiveness research. In: Implementing comparative Effectiveness Research: Priorities, Methods, and Impact. Washington, DC: The Brookings Institution; 2009:15-33. Accessed at www.brookings.edu/events/2009/~/media/Files/events/2009/0609_health_care_cer/0609_health_care_cer.pdf on 26 June 2009. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Anirban Basu, PhD; David Meltzer, MD, PhDAffiliations: From The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.Disclosures: None disclosed.Corresponding Author: David Meltzer, MD, PhD, Section of Hospital Medicine and Center for Health and the Social Sciences, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland, MC 2007, Chicago, IL 60637; e-mail, dmeltzer@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu.Current Author Addresses: Drs. Basu and Meltzer: Section of Hospital Medicine and Center for Health and the Social Sciences, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland, MC 2007, Chicago, IL 60637. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoWhen to Start Antiretroviral Therapy in Resource-Limited Settings Rochelle P. Walensky , Lindsey L. Wolf , Robin Wood , Mariam O. Fofana , Kenneth A. Freedberg , Neil A. Martinson , A. David Paltiel , Xavier Anglaret , Milton C. Weinstein , and Elena Losina , for the CEPAC (Cost-Effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications)-International Investigators* Metrics Cited byThrough the looking glass: making the design and output of economic models useful for setting medical policyEconomic Issues and Genomic MedicineMethods in Comparative Effectiveness ResearchThe value of comparative effectiveness research: Projected return on investment of the RxPONDER trial (SWOG S1007)Using Mechanistic Models to Simulate Comparative Effectiveness Trials of Therapy and to Estimate Long-term Outcomes in HIV Care 4 August 2009Volume 151, Issue 3Page: 210-211KeywordsAntiretroviral therapyClinical trialsComparative effectiveness researchDecision analysisHIVHospital medicineInterleukinsMathematical modelsQuality of lifeResearch design ePublished: 4 August 2009 Issue Published: 4 August 2009 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2009 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...