[Economic evaluation of the use of diclofenac/misoprostol in the treatment of osteoarticular diseases].

OBJECTIVE

To carry out a economic evaluation of diclofenac/misoprostol in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoartritis when comparing with diclofenac alone, diclofenac + omeprazol, and diclofenac + ranitidine.

DESIGN

Cost effectiveness analysis using a decision analytic model, where the effectiveness unit was defined as the patient free of gastro-intestinal toxicity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The effectiveness data of the four alternatives under evaluation have been obtaining from published clinical trials. In this analysis only direct medical costs have been included without incorporating indirect costs or intangible costs. The perspective chosen has been a primary care area and the time horizon 6 months. All costs are expressed in monetary units of 1998.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

The cost/effectiveness ratio obtained with diclofenac/misoprostol has been a 37% lower compared with diclofenac alone (42,238 vs 67,214 ptas), a 39% compared with diclofenac + omeprazol (42,238 vs 69,058 ptas) and a 50% compared with diclofenac + ranitidine (42,238 vs 85,198 ptas). The sensitivity analysis performed has shown that diclofenac/misoprostol is the therapeutic alternative more efficient even when most influential variables are modified.

CONCLUSIONS

Diclofenac/misoprostol has demonstrated to be an alternative with a better cost/effectiveness ratio, and therefore more efficient than diclofenac alone or the concomitant use of diclofenac either with omeprazol or ranitidine. The routinary use of this association will save important resources to the National Health Service.