Health care economic analyses.

Health care economic analyses are becoming increasingly important as health care costs consume an increasing proportion of the gross domestic product (GDP). Among the different forms of health care economic analysis are (1) cost-minimization analysis, (2) cost-benefit analysis, (3) cost-effectiveness analysis, and (4) cost-utility analysis. Cost-utility analysis is the most sophisticated because it incorporates the value (improvement in quality of life and length of life) conferred by an intervention for the resources expended. The different types of analyses of importance to the clinician are addressed herein.