Economic evaluation of prophylactic treatment with Misoprostol in osteoarthritic patients treated with NSAIDs. The case of Belgium.

It is demonstrated in clinical studies that Misoprostol is effective in preventing gastric ulcers in osteoarthritic patients treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The primary purpose of this article is to analyze the cost-effectiveness of Misoprostol. The methodology used is decision analysis. Clinical probability data for two patient groups (the Misoprostol and placebo group) were combined with data related to the costs of medical treatment and to the preventive use of Misoprostol. The basic conclusion is that the preventive treatment with Misoprostol entails net savings for society as a whole. However, the size of net savings is rather sensitive to changes in important parameters such as the presence of asymptomatic ulcers and the price of Misoprostol.