The cost-effectiveness of low-dose budesonide as a Step 2 treatment for pediatric asthma in China

Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, 2020

Aim

To compare the cost-effectiveness of low-dose budesonide versus montelukast among patients aged 1-5 years from a Chinese patient and healthcare payer perspective. 

Materials & methods

A Markov model based on exacerbation states was developed. Exacerbation was defined as the need for rescue therapy (mild exacerbation) or hoscopitalization (moderate-to-severe exacerbation). Inputs including efficacy (i.e., exacerbation rates), mortality, utilities, costs and treatment adherence were obtained from literature. 

Results

Compared with montelukast, low-dose budesonide led to fewer exacerbation events (1.44 vs 2.15), lower costs (¥3675 vs 4130) and slightly more quality-adjusted life years (0.974 vs 0.967) over 1 year. 

Conclusion

These findings may improve the use of low-dose budesonide, an economically and clinically preferable treatment to montelukast in pediatric patients.

View abstract

Authors

Wang X, Fang H, Shen K, Liu T, Xie J, Liu Y, Zhong J, Wu E, Zhou W, Wu B