Comprehensive Economic Evaluation of Thermotherapy for the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Colombia

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis causes a high disease burden in Colombia, and available treatments present systemic toxicity, low patient compliance, contraindications, and high costs. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of thermotherapy versus Glucantime in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Colombia. Methods: Cost-effectiveness study from an institutional perspective in 8133 incident cases. Data on therapeutic efficacy and safety were included, calculating standard costs; the outcomes were disability adjusted life years (DALYs) and the number of patients cured. The information sources were the Colombian Public Health Surveillance System, disease burden studies, and one meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. Incremental cost-effectiveness was determined, and uncertainty was evaluated with tornado diagrams and Monte Carlo simulations.

Economic evaluations addressing diagnosis and treatment strategies for neglected tropical diseases: an overview

“…In another study, the same authors estimated that the cost of thermotherapy would be US$2062 per DALY averted and US$69 per patient cured, and with pentavalent antimony (Glucantime), the cost would be US$4241 per DALY averted and US$85 per patient cured. The authors concluded that thermotherapy was a cost-effective strategy for the management of CL in Colombia, and this evidence adds to previous findings that have demonstrated the multiple benefits of this alternative treatment, such as better patient compliance, the simplicity of application, safety, and low costs 14 . Berger et al 15 performed a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing meglumine antimoniate and miltefosine administered by caregivers' directly observed therapy (cDOT) for CL among children.…”