TY - JOUR
T1 - The cost-effectiveness of CT-guided sacroiliac joint injections
T2 - A measure of QALY gained
AU - Bydon, Mohamad
AU - Macki, Mohamed
AU - De la Garza-Ramos, Rafael
AU - Youssef, Mina
AU - Gokaslan, Ziya L.
AU - Meleka, Sherif
AU - Bydon, Ali
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© W. S. Maney & Son Ltd 2014.
PY - 2014/10/1
Y1 - 2014/10/1
N2 - Objective: The purpose of this study is to estimate the total cost and the quality of life years (QALY) gained for computer tomography (CT)-guided sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injections. The cost per QALY gained for the procedure is the primary end-point of this study. Methods: In our 1-year prospective institutional study, we gathered 30 patients undergoing CT-guided SIJ injections for degenerative changes at the SIJ space. Patient-reported outcomes included both the US population-based EQ-5D (EuroQol) index score and the EQ-visual analog scale (VAS). The EQ-5D is based on mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety depression. Utility expenditures were based on hospital charges at our institution. Results: All 30 patients had one pre-injection physician visit followed by 43 initial injections (13 bilateral). Each patient underwent one CT scan, and three patients required additional plain films. In the 1 year following the injections, 26 physician visits were documented. Five patients required repeat CT-guided injections. Total 1-year cost for all 30 patients was $34 874.00. Mean decrease in EQ-VAS was 0.60 (P = 0.187). The mean 1-year gain of 0.58 EQ-5D QALY reached statistical significance (P < 0.001). The cost per QALY gained by CT-guided sacroiliac injections was $2004.29. Discussion: In one of the first cost analyses of CT-guided sacroiliac injections, we found that the procedure improves pain and activities of daily living. The cost per QALY gained by CT-guided sacroiliac injections falls well below the threshold cost of 1 QALY, suggesting that the procedure is strongly cost-effective.
AB - Objective: The purpose of this study is to estimate the total cost and the quality of life years (QALY) gained for computer tomography (CT)-guided sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injections. The cost per QALY gained for the procedure is the primary end-point of this study. Methods: In our 1-year prospective institutional study, we gathered 30 patients undergoing CT-guided SIJ injections for degenerative changes at the SIJ space. Patient-reported outcomes included both the US population-based EQ-5D (EuroQol) index score and the EQ-visual analog scale (VAS). The EQ-5D is based on mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety depression. Utility expenditures were based on hospital charges at our institution. Results: All 30 patients had one pre-injection physician visit followed by 43 initial injections (13 bilateral). Each patient underwent one CT scan, and three patients required additional plain films. In the 1 year following the injections, 26 physician visits were documented. Five patients required repeat CT-guided injections. Total 1-year cost for all 30 patients was $34 874.00. Mean decrease in EQ-VAS was 0.60 (P = 0.187). The mean 1-year gain of 0.58 EQ-5D QALY reached statistical significance (P < 0.001). The cost per QALY gained by CT-guided sacroiliac injections was $2004.29. Discussion: In one of the first cost analyses of CT-guided sacroiliac injections, we found that the procedure improves pain and activities of daily living. The cost per QALY gained by CT-guided sacroiliac injections falls well below the threshold cost of 1 QALY, suggesting that the procedure is strongly cost-effective.
KW - CT guided
KW - Injections
KW - Joint
KW - Quality adjusted life years (QALY)
KW - Sacroiliac
KW - Sacroiliac
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U2 - 10.1179/1743132814Y.0000000372
DO - 10.1179/1743132814Y.0000000372
M3 - Article
C2 - 24773478
AN - SCOPUS:84924205010
SN - 0161-6412
VL - 36
SP - 915
EP - 920
JO - Neurological research
JF - Neurological research
IS - 10
ER -