Current challenges in handling genetic data

In no other field of biomedicine has such revolutionary change taken place in recent decades as it has in molecular genetics. The accumulated knowledge in this field will not only enable clinicians to make new treatment decisions in future, but will also help to save on healthcare costs. A positive test result will be the prerequisite for carrying out targeted drug treatment (companion diagnostics). Specific molecular diagnostics provide doctors with additional information that was not previously available, enabling them to optimise treatment accordingly. At the same time, prognostic tests mean that targeted preventive measures can be taken. Highly informative non-invasive tests will enable early detection and prevention to play a greater role. Technological breakthroughs, such as high-throughput sequencing, will lead to a flood of data in the future. The challenge lies in the quality of interpretation, which means extracting useful information for doctor and patient. Unlike data collection, interpretation is complex and expensive: it requires a high degree of expertise and a lot of resources. At the same time, experts stress that - as well as improvements in the accuracy and speed of data analysis - defined quality criteria must be generated for reliable interpretation of results. These challenges need to be tackled so that the population can benefit to the utmost from the opportunities offered by these developments: rapidly available and informative tests for targeted therapies based on high-quality data

Cost-effectiveness of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Switzerland

The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has been shown to be highly cost-effective. The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) offers seroprotection against six additional serotypes. A decision-analytic model was constructed to estimate direct medical costs and clinical effectiveness of PCV13 vaccination on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), pneumonia, and otitis media relative to PCV7 vaccination. The option with an one-dose catch-up vaccination in children of 15-59 months was also considered. Assuming 83% vaccination coverage and considering indirect effects, 1808 IPD, 5558 pneumonia and 74,136 otitis media cases could be eliminated from the entire population during a 10-year modelling period. The PCV13 vaccination programme would lead to additional costs (+€26.2 Mio), but saved medical costs of -€77.1 Mio due to cases averted and deaths avoided, overcompensate these costs (total cost savings -€50.9 Mio). The national immunisation programmes with PCV13 can be assumed cost saving when compared with the current vaccine PCV7 in Switzerland

Economic burden of symptomatic iron deficiency - a survey among Swiss women

BACKGROUND Symptomatic iron deficiency (ID) is a disorder affecting 10-20% of menstruating women. ID is diagnosed by measuring serum ferritin, a protein helping to store iron in the body. A deeper understanding of the association between ID and its societal and economic burden is relevant for patients, physicians, health care decision makers. METHODS An online household survey was carried out among Swiss women aged 18-50 years suffering from debilitating symptoms due to ID. The data was population-weighted for age and region. The costs of misdiagnosis and the ID-related economic burden (i.e. days of sick leave) from productivity losses on the labor market were determined and extrapolated to the Swiss population. Furthermore, the patient burden was assessed based on quality of life daily measurements. RESULTS The total sample included 1010 women who received an ID diagnosis with a blood test in the last 2 years (mean age: 33.5 years). Most named symptoms were "being tired or exhausted" (96.4%) and reduced physical energy level (41.0%). In total, 354 (35.0% of the total sample) patients received an initial diagnosis other than ID. Of those, 46.8% were treated prior to the ID diagnosis with a pharmacological medical therapy or psychotherapy. Extrapolating these numbers to the Swiss female population aged 18-50 years, the direct medical costs would be CHF 78 million (assuming an annual ID incidence of ID diagnosis of 9.5%). On average, 28.5% of participants in the work-force had to take sick leave due to ID symptoms within a period of 2 years (mean: 5.2 days, i.e. 2.6 days/year). The estimated annual indirect costs in Switzerland would be CHF 33 million (human capital approach) or CHF 26 million (friction cost method), respectively. Being exhausted and impaired concentration appear to be the most important factors negatively impacting daily living and hence quality of life. CONCLUSION The societal and economic burden among women due to debilitating symptoms of ID in Switzerland is substantial. Timely, correct diagnosis and treatment of ID may contribute to reducing this burden. Further studies are needed in this area to validate our results

Cost-effectiveness analysis of malaria chemoprophylaxis for travellers to West-Africa

BACKGROUND: The importation of malaria to non-endemic countries remains a major cause of travel-related morbidity and a leading cause of travel-related hospitalizations. Currently they are three priority medications for malaria prophylaxis to West Africa: mefloquine, atovaquone/proguanil and doxycycline. We investigate the cost effectiveness of a partial reimbursement of the cheapest effective malaria chemoprophylaxis (mefloquine) for travellers to high risk areas of malaria transmission compared with the current situation of no reimbursement. METHODS: This study is a cost-effectiveness analysis based on malaria cases imported from West Africa to Switzerland from the perspective of the Swiss health system. We used a decision tree model and made a literature research on the components of travel related malaria. The main outcome measure was the cost effectiveness of malaria chemoprophylaxis reimbursement based on malaria and deaths averted. RESULTS: Using a program where travellers would be reimbursed for 80% of the cost of the cheapest malaria chemoprophylaxis is dominant (i.e. cost saving and more effective than the current situation) using the assumption that currently 68.7% of travellers to West Africa use malaria chemoprophylaxis. If the current usage of malaria chemoprophylaxis would be higher, 82.4%, the incremental cost per malaria case averted is € 2'302. The incremental cost of malaria death averted is € 191'833.The most important factors influencing the model were: the proportion of travellers using malaria chemoprophylaxis, the probability of contracting malaria without malaria chemoprophylaxis, the cost of the mefloquine regimen, the decrease in the number of travellers without malaria chemoprophylaxis in the reimbursement strategy. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that a reimbursement of 80% of the cost of the cheapest effective malaria chemoprophylaxis (mefloquine) for travellers from Switzerland to West Africa is highly effective in terms of malaria cases averted and is cost effective to the Swiss health system. These data are relevant to discussions about the cost effectiveness of malaria chemoprophylaxis reimbursement for vulnerable groups such as those visiting friends and relatives who have the highest risk of malaria, who are least likely to use chemoprophylaxis

Impact of European vaccination policies on seasonal influenza vaccination coverage rates : An update seven years later

Publisher Copyright: © 2018, © 2018 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.Seasonal influenza can have serious morbid consequences and can even result in death, particularly in at-risk populations, including healthcare professionals (HCPs), elderly and those living with a medical risk condition. Although in Europe recommendations exist for annual influenza vaccination in these populations in most countries, the vaccination coverage rate (VCR) is often well below the World Health Organization target of 75% coverage. In our previous survey in 2009 we showed that some elements of national vaccination policies, e.g. reminder systems, strong official recommendation, and easy access, seemed to contribute to achieving higher influenza VCRs among elderly. We repeated the survey in 2016, using the same methodology to assess changes in influenza VCRs among the elderly and in the impact of policy elements on these VCRs. In addition, we collected information about VCRs among HCPs, and those living with a medical risk condition. The median VCR in the 21 countries that had recommendations for influenza vaccination in the elderly was 35.3%, ranging from 1.1% in Estonia to 74.5% in Scotland. The average VCRs for HCPs and those living with medical risk conditions, available in 17 and 10 countries, respectively, were 28.3% (range 7% in Czech Republic to 59.1% in Portugal) and 32.2% (range from 20.0% in the Czech Republic and Hungary to 59.6% in Portugal), respectively. Fewer countries were able to provide data from HCP and those living with medical risk conditions. Since the initial survey during the 2007–2008 influenza season, VCRs have decreased in the elderly in the majority of countries, thus, achieving high VCRs in the elderly and the other target groups is still a major public health challenge in Europe. This could be addressed by the identification, assessment and sharing of best practice for influenza vaccination policies.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Cost-effectiveness of oral alitretinoin in patients with severe chronic hand eczema - a long-term analysis from a Swiss perspective

BACKGROUND: The impact on patients suffering from chronic hand eczema (CHE) is enormous, as no licensed systemic treatment option with proven efficacy for CHE is available. Alitretinoin is a novel agent which showed high clinical efficacy in patients with severe, refractory CHE. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of alitretinoin for CHE patient treatment from a Swiss third party payer perspective. A further objective of this study was to determine the burden of disease in Switzerland. METHODS: A long-term Markov cohort simulation model was used to estimate direct medical costs (euro) and clinical effectiveness (quality adjusted life years, QALYs) of treating severe CHE patients with alitretinoin. Comparison was against the standard treatment of supportive care (optimised emollient therapy). Information on response rates were derived from a randomized controlled clinical trial. Costs were considered from the perspective of the Swiss health system. Swiss epidemiological data was derived from official Swiss Statistic institutions. RESULTS: Annual costs of alitretinoin treatment accounted for 2'212 euro. After a time horizon of 22.4 years, average remaining long-term costs accounted for 42'208 euro or 38'795 euro in the alitretinoin and the standard treatment arm, respectively. Compared with the standard therapy, the addition of alitretinoin yielded an average gain of 0.230 QALYs at the end of the simulation. Accordingly, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio resulted in 14'816 euro/QALY gained. These results were robust to changes in key model assumptions. CONCLUSION: The therapy for CHE patients is currently insufficient. In our long-term model we identified the treatment with alitretinoin as a cost-effective alternative for the therapy of CHE patients in Switzerland

Trends in influenza vaccination coverage rates in Germany over five seasons from 2001 to 2006

BACKGROUND: To assess influenza vaccination coverage from 2001 to 2006 in Germany, to understand drivers and barriers to vaccination and to identify vaccination intentions for season 2006/07. METHODS: 9,990 telephone-based household surveys from age 14 were conducted between 2001 and 2006. Essentially, the same questionnaire was used in all seasons. RESULTS: The influenza vaccination coverage rate reached 32.5% in 2005/06. In the elderly (> or years), the vaccination rate reached 58.9% in 2005/06. In those aged 65 years and older, it was 63.4%. Perceiving influenza as a serious illness was the most frequent reason for getting vaccinated. Thirteen percent of those vaccinated in 2005/06 indicated the threat of avian flu as a reason. The main reason for not getting vaccinated was thinking about it without putting it into practice. The major encouraging factor to vaccination was a recommendation by the family doctor. 49.6% of the respondents intend to get vaccinated against influenza in season 2006/07. CONCLUSION: Increasing vaccination rates were observed from 2001 to 2006 in Germany. The threat of avian influenza and the extended reimbursement programs may have contributed to the recent increase

Influenza vaccination coverage rates in five European countries during season 2006/07 and trends over six consecutive seasons

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objectives of the survey were to identify the level of influenza vaccination coverage in five European countries between 2001 and 2007, to understand the drivers and barriers to vaccination, to assess vaccination intentions for the winter 2007/08 as well as major encouraging factors for vaccination.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between 2001 and 2007, representative household surveys were performed with telephone or mailed (France) interviews of individuals aged 14 and above. The questionnaire used in the UK, Germany, Italy, France and Spain was essentially the same in all seasons. The data were subsequently pooled. Four target groups were defined for the analysis: 1) persons aged 65 years and over; 2) persons working in the medical field; 3) chronically ill persons and 4) combined target group composed of individuals belonging to one or more of the previous groups 1, 2 or 3.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 2006/07, vaccination coverage was, 25.0% in UK, 27.4% in Germany, 21.8% in Spain, 24.2% in France and 24.4% in Italy. During six influenza seasons (2001–2007), vaccination coverage showed a slight positive trend in the five countries (p ≤ 0.0001). In the elderly (≥ 65 years), across all countries, no significant trend was seen; the vaccination rate decreased non-significantly from a peak of 64.2% in season 2005/06 to 61.1% in season 2006/07. The most frequent reason for getting vaccinated was a recommendation by the family doctor or nurse (51%), and this was also perceived as the major encouraging factor for vaccination (61%). The main reason for not getting vaccinated was feeling unlikely to catch the flu (36%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In the UK, Germany and Spain, influenza vaccination coverage rates in season 2006/07 dropped slightly compared to the previous season. However, a trend of increasing vaccination coverage was observed from 2001/02 to 2006/07 across Europe. The family doctor is the major source of encouragement for individuals getting vaccinated. Efforts to overcome the barriers to vaccination need to be put in place to reach the WHO objective of 75% coverage in the elderly by 2010. This is a major challenge to be faced by governments, healthcare workers and healthcare organisations.</p

Health economic assessment of ferric carboxymaltose in patients with iron deficiency and chronic heart failure based on the FAIR-HF trial: an analysis for the UK

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of iron repletion using intravenous (i.v.) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with iron deficiency with or without anaemia. Cost-effectiveness was studied from the perspective of the National Health Service in the UK. METHODS AND RESULTS: A model-based cost-effectiveness analysis was used to compare iron repletion with FCM with no iron treatment. Using data from the FAIR-HF trial and publicly available sources and publications, per patient costs and clinical effectiveness of FCM were estimated compared with placebo. Cost assessment was based on study drug and administration costs, cost of CHF treatment, and hospital length of stay. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of FCM use was expressed as cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, and sensitivity analyses were performed on the base case. The time horizon of the analysis was 24 weeks. Mean QALYs were higher in the FCM arm (difference 0.037 QALYs; bootstrap-based 95% confidence interval 0.017-0.060). The ICER of FCM compared with placebo was €4414 per QALY gained for the FAIR-HF dosing regimen. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the base case result to be robust. CONCLUSION: From the UK payers' perspective, managing iron deficiency in CHF patients using i.v. FCM was cost-effective in this analysis. The base case ICER was clearly below the threshold of €22 200-€33 300/QALY gained (£20 000-£30 000) typically used by the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and proved to be robust in sensitivity analysis. Improved symptoms and better quality of life contributed to this result