We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Cost-effectiveness analysis of scalp cooling to reduce chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
- Authors
van den Hurk, Corina J.; van den Akker-van Marle, M. Elske; Breed, Wim P.; van de Poll-Franse, Lonneke V.; Nortier, Johan W.; Coebergh, Jan W.
- Abstract
Background. Alopecia is a frequently occurring side effect of chemotherapy that often can be prevented by cooling the scalp during the infusion. This study compared effects and costs of scalp cooling with usual general oncological care, i.e. purchasing a wig or head cover. Material and methods. Scalp-cooled patients (n = 160) were compared with non-scalp-cooled patients (n = 86) at 15 Dutch hospitals. Patients were enrolled prior to anthracycline and/or taxane-based chemotherapy for several types of cancer between 2007 and 2008. Cost-effectiveness of scalp cooling compared with that of usual care was determined by the ratio of costs to quality adjusted life years (QALYs). Costs for scalp cooling (machines and nursing time), hair dressers, wigs and head covers were estimated from a societal perspective. QALYs were measured using the Short Form-36. Results. Scalp cooling reduced the use of a wig or head cover by 40%, but wigs were still purchased unnecessarily by 38% of scalp-cooled patients. Average societal costs decreased therefore only by €269 per patient due to scalp cooling (p = 0.02). Given the eligibility for scalp cooling at the time, the insignificant difference in QALYs resulted from a balance of the benefits for those patients with successful scalp cooling and those without success. For the Dutch, given the generally accepted threshold of willingness to pay for a QALY (between €20 000 and €40 000), scalp cooling was cost-effective, therefore justifying the choice of scalp cooling or purchasing a wig or head cover. Conclusion. Given the right indication, cost-effectiveness might be improved further by postponing wig and head cover purchases, by improving scalp cooling efficacy, as well as using the scalp cooling capacity more intensively.
- Subjects
NETHERLANDS; BALDNESS; CANCER chemotherapy; CHI-squared test; COLD therapy; CONFIDENCE intervals; COST effectiveness; HEALTH surveys; LONGITUDINAL method; QUALITY of life; QUESTIONNAIRES; RESEARCH funding; SCALP; VISUAL analog scale; DATA analysis software; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; PREVENTION
- Publication
Acta Oncologica, 2014, Vol 53, Issue 1, p80
- ISSN
0284-186X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3109/0284186X.2013.794955