The Value of Total Knee Replacement in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis and a Body Mass Index of 40 kg/m or Greater : A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Total knee replacement (TKR) is an effective and cost-effective strategy for treating end-stage knee osteoarthritis. Greater risk for complications among TKR recipients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m or greater has raised concerns about the value of TKR in this population.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of TKR in recipients with a BMI of 40 kg/m or greater using a cost-effectiveness analysis.

DESIGN

Osteoarthritis Policy Model to assess long-term clinical benefits, costs, and cost-effectiveness of TKR in patients with a BMI of 40 kg/m or greater.

DATA SOURCES

Total knee replacement parameters from longitudinal studies and published literature, and costs from Medicare Physician Fee Schedules, the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, and published data.

TARGET POPULATION

Recipients of TKR with a BMI of 40 kg/m or greater in the United States.

TIME HORIZON

Lifetime.

PERSPECTIVE

Health care sector.

INTERVENTION

Total knee replacement.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Cost, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), discounted at 3% annually.

RESULTS OF BASE-CASE ANALYSIS: Total knee replacement increased QALYs by 0.71 year and lifetime medical costs by $25 200 among patients aged 50 to 65 years with a BMI of 40 kg/m or greater, resulting in an ICER of $35 200. Total knee replacement in patients older than 65 years with a BMI of 40 kg/m or greater increased QALYs by 0.39 year and costs by $21 100, resulting in an ICER of $54 100.

RESULTS OF SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

In TKR recipients with a BMI of 40 kg/m or greater and diabetes and cardiovascular disease, ICERs were below $75 000 per QALY. Results were most sensitive to complication rates and preoperative pain levels. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, at a $55 000-per-QALY willingness-to-pay threshold, TKR had a 100% and 90% likelihood of being a cost-effective strategy for patients aged 50 to 65 years and patients older than 65 years, respectively.

LIMITATION

Data are derived from several sources.

CONCLUSION

From a cost-effectiveness perspective, TKR offers good value in patients with a BMI of 40 kg/m or greater, including those with multiple comorbidities.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health.