Cost-effectiveness analysis of OM-85 vs placebo in the prevention of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in children that attend day-care centers

Abstract

BackgroundChildren that attend day-care centers frequently contract acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). ARTIs represent a burden for both children and parents. Systematic reviews on the use of immunostimulants for the prevention of juvenile recurrent ARTIs have provided moderate evidence of efficacy and safety. The aim of the study was to establish whether the immunostimulant, OM-85, was cost-effective in preventing ARTIs in children 2–6 years old that attended day-care centers or preschools in Mexico. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of OM-85. For costs, we assumed an institutional perspective, which included the costs of care and supplies over a study period of six months, during the autumn-winter seasons. We created decision trees and constructed a model to identify pharmacoeconomic parameters. We generated 1000 estimations with the bootstrap method to calculate descriptive statistics of pharmacoeconomic parameters. We evaluated cost-effectiveness compared to treatment without immunostimulants.ResultsThe mean (SD) incidences of ARTIs were 5.59 ± 0.29 without immunostimulants and 2.97 ± 0.32 with OM-85, during the study period. The mean (25th, 75th percentile) direct costs of ARTIs were 57.04 (37.11, 76.39) US$ (US dollars) without immunostimulants and 48.53 (37.35, 58.93) US$ with OM-85, with a mean increment of − 8.51(− 17.08, 0.75) US$, and a mean cost-effectiveness of − 17.94 (− 36.48, 1.66) US$. The direct costs plus the cost of one parent missing work to care for the child with ARTI were 125.76 (102.83, 150.16) US$, without immunostimulant and 85.21 (72.15, 98.81) US$, with OM-85. The increment was − 40.55 (− 68.29, − 13.95) US$, and the cost-effectiveness was − 86.89 (− 142.37, − 29.34) US$.Part of the cost reduction was ascribed to the reduced use of medications, particularly antibiotics.ConclusionsOur results were consistent with previous clinical studies conducted in closed institutions in Mexico. OM-85 reduced the number of ARTIs and the frequency of antibiotics use. We concluded that OM-85 was cost-effective for preventing ARTIs in children that attended day-care centers, particularly when parental absenteeism was covered by the institutions.

Cost-utility of vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections in children

“…Barber et al evaluated the cost-effectiveness of OM-85 to prevent ARI in children 2-6 years in Mexico from a third payer perspective. OM-85 was cost-effective in preventing ARI, and also showing cost savings in over 70% of cases for direct costs with a reduction of 2.61 episodes of ARI during a follow-up of six months [22]. These results with OM-85 have been similar to those obtained in other countries such as France and Italy [23][24][25].…”

Retracted: A New Cu(I)‐Based Coordination Polymer: Crystal Structure, Molecular Docking and Protective Effect in Streptococcus‐pneumoniae‐Infected Mice by Promoting Immune Cell Response

“…Recurrent respiration infection (RRI) is defined as a child with more than 10 colds or more than 3 pneumonias in a year. [1] RRI is caused by numerous of factors, such as the primary or secondary immunodeficiency, lack of trace elements, lacing congenital malformations, and so on. In recent years, there has been growing number of literatures indicating that children with RRI have low immunity.…”

Podotimod in pediatric recurrent respiratory tract infections: a cost-utility analysis

“…Using OM-85 BV prevention, 1.52 infections were prevented in 6 months saving 67.83 Euro on the costs of care for the recurrently infected child. OM-85 was cost-effective in preventing ARI and also showed cost savings in over 70% of cases for direct costs with a reduction of 2.61 episodes of ARI during a follow-up of six months [ 18 ]. These results with OM-85 have been similar to those obtained in other countries such as France and Italy [ 17 , 19 , 20 ].…”