Comparing Cost-effectiveness of X-Stop With Minimally Invasive Decompression in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Issue 8 (15th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lønne, Greger; Johnsen, Lars Gunnar; Aas, Eline; Lydersen, Stian; Andresen, Hege; Rønning, Roar; Nygaard, Øystein P.
• Is Part Of: Spine. Volume 40:Issue 8(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-04-15
• Subjects: Spine -- Abnormalities -- Periodicals; Spine -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Spine -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 616.73005
• DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000798
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0362-2436

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Study Design.</title> <p>Randomized clinical trial with 2-year follow-up.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Objective.</title> <p>To compare the cost-effectiveness of X-stop to minimally invasive decompression in patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Summary of Background Data.</title> <p>Lumbar spinal stenosis is the most common indication for operative treatment in elderly. Although surgery is more costly than nonoperative treatment, health outcomes for more than 2 years were shown to be significantly better. Surgical treatment with minimally invasive decompression is widely used. X-stop is introduced as another minimally invasive technique showing good results compared with nonoperative treatment.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods.</title> <p>We enrolled 96 patients aged 50 to 85 years, with symptoms of neurogenic intermittent claudication within 250-m walking distance and 1- or 2-level lumbar spinal stenosis, randomized to either minimally invasive decompression or X-stop. Quality-adjusted life-years were based on EuroQol EQ-5D. The hospital unit costs were estimated by means of the top-down approach. Each cost unit was converted into a monetary value by dividing the overall cost by the amount of cost units produced. The analysis of costs and health outcomes is presented by the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results.</title> <p>The study was terminated after a midway interim analysis because of significantly higher reoperation rate in the X-stop group (33%). The incremental cost for X-stop compared with minimally invasive decompression was [Euro sign]2832 (95% confidence interval: 1886–3778), whereas the incremental health gain was 0.11 quality-adjusted life-year (95% confidence interval: −0.01 to 0.23). Based on the incremental cost and effect, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was [Euro sign]25, 700.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusion.</title> <p>The majority of the bootstrap samples displayed in the northeast corner of the cost-effectiveness plane, giving a 50% likelihood that X-stop is cost-effective at the extra cost of [Euro sign]25, 700 (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio) for a quality-adjusted life-year. The significantly higher cost of X-stop is mainly due to implant cost and the significantly higher reoperation rate.</p> <p> <bold>Level of Evidence:</bold> 2</p> </sec> </abstract>