Estimation of the utilities of attributes of intravenous iron infusion treatment for patients with iron-deficiency anemia: a conjoint analysis in Japan

This study aimed to estimate the utility values of the factors associated with intravenous (IV) iron infusion treatment in Japanese patients with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) from the patient’s perspective. A conjoint analysis based on online survey data was conducted in May 2022 (registration number: UMIN000047756). Respondents in the main group were selected from the general population (20–69 years). Seven attributes were included in this analysis: waiting time before receiving an IV infusion, pain due to IV infusion, time required for IV infusion, number of IV infusions required to achieve treatment effect, frequency of hypophosphatemia as a side effect of IV infusion, frequency of skin discoloration by the drug solution, and out-of-pocket cost for one IV infusion visit. The utility of each level for each attribute was estimated using a logistic regression model as the difference from non-treatment. The responses were collected from 1,026 people. The utilities decreased with higher pain (-0.189 for pain level of 3.05), longer time for the IV infusion (-0.145 or -0.212 for 5 or 15 min), greater number of required IV infusions (-0.773 or -1.899 for 3 or 25 times), and higher frequency of adverse events (-0.373 or -0.385 for 13.0% or 14.2% of hypophosphatemia incidences; -0.502 for 2.3% of skin discoloration per one infusion). Since this study was based on an online survey, the reliability of the results depends on whether the respondents understood the questions accurately. Further, the respondents were selected from an online panel, potentially affecting finding generalizability. The results indicate that utilities differ depending on the factors associated with IV iron infusion treatment. The findings of this study may be useful for informing future treatments or improving current treatment regimes, supporting the achievement of complete iron repletion for Japanese patients with IDA.</p

Additional file 1: of Persistence rates and medical costs of biological therapies for psoriasis treatment in Japan: a real-world data study using a claims database

Appendix A. ICD codes for disease to be excluded. Appendix B. Dosage regimen of included BTs. Appendix C. Gap definition (days) of included BTs in base case and sensitivity analysis (SA) 1 and 2. Appendix D. The rates of (number of persistent patients during the 12-month period after BT initiation/number of total patients) calculated in the base case and sensitivity analysis (SA) 1 and 2. (DOCX 23 kb

Cost analysis of leuprorelin acetate in Japanese prostate cancer patients: comparison between 6-month and 3-month depot formulations

<p><b>Aims:</b> This study aimed to evaluate the economic value for leuprorelin acetate 6-month depot compared with leuprorelin acetate 3-month depot from a societal perspective in Japanese prostate cancer patients.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> The cost analysis estimated the reduction in direct and indirect costs as well as intangible costs saved by having one less injection. Claims data were used for the analyses of direct and indirect costs reduction. A discrete choice experiment based on a web-based survey estimated the monetary value of the intangible costs for one injection. Another web-based survey of prostate cancer patients, who had received treatment with leuprorelin acetate injections, was carried out to calibrate the results of the discrete choice experiment.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Reductions in medical costs and loss of productivity for having one less injection in prostate cancer patients receiving leuprorelin acetate were JPY 5,670 and JPY 1,723, respectively. Intangible costs saved by using a 6-month depot formulation instead of a 3-month depot formulation for the injection of leuprorelin acetate were estimated to be JPY 19,872, including the values for a reduction in pain (JPY 3,131), injection site reactions (JPY 11,545), waiting time (JPY 9,479), and subtracting the value of medical consultation (JPY 4,283). The total cost reduction for having one less injection was JPY 27,265.</p> <p><b>Limitations:</b> The respondents from the internet panel provided by a survey company are not necessarily a representative population of Japanese society.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Leuprorelin acetate 6-month depot has an advantage in monetary value in the reduction in medical costs, loss of productivity, and intangible costs for having one less injection in prostate cancer patients compared with leuprorelin acetate 3-month depot. In the costs for treating with leuprorelin acetate, the percentage of intangible costs might not be negligible. The intangible costs will probably be actively evaluated to proceed to patient-centered healthcare in society.</p