Vitamin A supplementation for the prevention of chronic lung disease in premature infants: A cost-utility analysis.

INTRODUCTION

Despite the growing evidence on efficacy, little is known regarding the efficiency of Vitamin A supplementation to decrease the probability of chronic lung disease (CLD) in preterm infants. This study aims to determine the cost-utility of Vitamin A to prevent CLD in preterm infants in Colombia.

METHODS

A decision tree model was used to estimate the cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of Vitamin A supplementation in preterm infants. Multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the model. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated at a willingness-to-pay value of US$5180.

RESULTS

Vitamin A was associated with lower costs and higher QALYs. The expected annual cost per patient with Vitamin A was US$1579 (95% CI US$1555-US$1585) and without Vitamin A was US$1913 (95% CI US$1891-US$1934). The QALYs per person estimated with Vitamin A was 0.66 (95% CI 0.66-0.67) and without Vitamin A was 0.61 (95% CI 0.60-0.61). This position of absolute dominance (Vitamin A has lower costs and higher QALYs than without Vitamin A) is unnecessary to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

CONCLUSION

Our economic evaluation shows that Vitamin A is cost-effective to reduce the incidence rate of CLD in premature infants in Colombia. Our study provides evidence that should be used by decision-makers to improve clinical practice guidelines.