Cost savings with a novel algorithm for early detection of systemic sclerosis‐related pulmonary arterial hypertension: alternative scenario analyses. Issue 6 (11th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quinlivan, Alannah; Proudman, Susanna; Sahhar, Joanne; Stevens, Wendy; Nikpour, Mandana
• Other Names: Major Gabor investigator.; Ngian Gene‐Siew investigator.; Nikpour Mandana investigator.; Proudman Susanna investigator.; Roddy Janet investigator.; Sahhar Joanne investigator.; Stevens Wendy investigator.; Strickland Gemma investigator.; Walker Jennifer investigator.; Youseff Peter investigator.
• Is Part Of: Internal medicine journal. Volume 49:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 781
• Page End: 785
• Publication Date: 2019-06-11
• Subjects: systemic sclerosis -- pulmonary arterial hypertension -- Australian Scleroderma Interest Group -- NT‐proBNP -- screening; Medicine -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1111/imj.14316
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1444-0903

Abstract

Abstract: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is an important cause of death and disability in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Yearly screening of all SSc patients with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is recommended in international guidelines and currently utilised by the Australian Scleroderma Interest Group (ASIGSTANDARD ). Owing to the limitations of TTE, the ASIG developed a new screening algorithm (ASIGPROPOSED ) utilising a serum biomarker, NT‐proBNP, in place of TTE, which has been shown to be equally accurate as the current algorithm. The aim of this study was to compare the cost of these two algorithms using different scenarios. The new algorithm resulted in significant yearly cost savings of between AU$42 913.35 and AU$84 570 in screening and diagnosis of an Australian cohort which, if extrapolated to the Australian population, would result in a yearly cost saving of between AU$367 066 and AU$725 564. There was no scenario in which the proposed algorithm did not result in a cost saving.