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Biomedical subjects

F F Rutten

Publications and source records attributed to F F Rutten.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Costs of diagnosis and treatment for pulmonary embolism lower due to application of consensus strategy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the costs of diagnosis and treatment of patients clinically suspected of pulmonary embolism, before and after the adoption of the Dutch consensus for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. DESIGN: Study of the records, followed by a prospective study with a follow-up lasting 6 months. SETTING: Academic Medical Centre and Slotervaart Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. METHOD: Data were collected on 120 patients from the preconsensus period and on 452 patients examined according to the consensus strategy. This established the average patterns of medical consumption of patients before and after adoption of consensus. The mean costs per patient were then estimated. RESULTS: Diagnosis and treatment of a patient according to the consensus strategy on the basis of our estimates were considerably less expensive than non-protocolled diagnosis and treatment (Dfl. 4,413 as against Dfl. 5,115 per patient). This difference mainly resulted from shorter hospital stays owing to more rapid completion of the diagnosis. Considering the large number of annual hospital admissions in the Netherlands in connection with this diagnosis, savings of up to Dfl. 26 million would appear possible if the consensus were followed nationwide. CONCLUSION: Considerable amounts are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism in the Netherlands. Accordingly, further research into possibilities to make these more efficient would appear advisable.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1996

An economic model to assess the savings from a clinical application of haematopoietic growth factors.

Patients receiving chemotherapy frequently develop fever and neutropenia. Haematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) may decrease the duration of such episodes or may prevent a febrile neutropenic episode. In this study we introduce a Markov type economic model for the hospital which calculates all relevant direct costs and savings of HGF therapy and may support decisions on HGF administration. A distinction is made between patients receiving intensive and standard chemotherapy schedules. Our results indicate that HGFs can induce savings in intensive chemotherapy and standard chemotherapy following neutropenic fever. Prophylactic administration of HGF is cost-effective if the risk of infection is considerable. The risk of infection depends on underlying malignancy, corresponding treatment modalities and the health condition of the patient. The model is meant as an analytical framework and should be used carefully, as not all benefits (e.g. benefits to the patients) are considered. These benefits may be balanced against the additional costs or savings resulting from the economic model.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1996

Randomized placebo-controlled trial of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients with chemotherapy-related febrile neutropenia.

PURPOSE: To determine whether granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) used in addition to standard inpatient antibiotic therapy shortens the period of hospitalization due to chemotherapy-induced neutropenic fever. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-four patients with a hematologic (n = 47) or solid tumor (n = 87) who had severe neutropenia (< 0.5 x 10(9)/L) and fever (> 38.5 degrees C once or > 38 degrees C twice over a 12-hour observation period) were randomly assigned to receive GM-CSF 5 micrograms/kg/d (n = 65) or placebo (n = 69) in conjunction with broad-spectrum antibiotics for a minimum of 4 days and a maximum of 14 days. GM-CSF/placebo and antibiotics were stopped if the neutrophil count was greater than 1.0 x 10(9)/L and temperature less than 37.5 degrees C during 2 consecutive days, or for a leukocyte count > or = 10 x 10(9)/L, both followed by a 24-hour observation period (hospitalization period). RESULTS: Compared with placebo, GM-CSF enhanced neutrophil recovery. Median neutrophil counts at day 4 were 2.5 x 10(9)/L (range, 0 to 25) in the GM-CSF arm and 1.3 x 10(9)/L (range, 0 to 9) in the placebo arm (P < .001). No significant difference was observed with regard to median number of days with less than 1.0 x 10(9)/L neutrophils (4 v 4) or days of fever (3 v 3). The median number of days patients were hospitalized while on study was comparable in the GM-CSF and placebo groups at 6 (range, 3 to 14) versus 7 (range, 4 to 14), respectively, according to an intention-to-treat analysis (P = .27). Quality-of-life scores in 90 patients demonstrated significant differences in favor of the placebo group. Hospital costs were significantly higher for GM-CSF-treated patients if GM-CSF was included in the price (median costs, $4,140 [US] for GM-CSF v $590 for placebo; P < .05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that GM-CSF does not affect the number of days for resolution of fever or the hospitalization period for this patient group, although a significant effect of GM-CSF was observed on neutrophil recovery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Colony-stimulating factors and peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation. Benefits and costs.

High dosage chemo- or radiotherapy followed by the administration of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells [i.e. autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT)] is an established protocol for treating acute myeloid leukaemia and malignant lymphoma. The approach is also under investigation in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma and solid tumours. In all of these diseases, the optimisation of indications, conditioning schemes, stem cell harvest techniques and supportive care with growth factors is subject to continuous preclinical research and clinical phase II and III studies. Recently, the administration of peripheral blood stem cell preparations to cancer patients as rescue therapy after high dosage antitumour therapy has been received with much enthusiasm. At first glance, the technique looks rather easy to perform. The faster recovery of haemopoiesis, compared with ABMT, leads to shorter durations of hospitalisation. Moreover, in most studies, peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation (PBPCT) resulted in fewer septic episodes, fewer intensive care admissions, fewer red blood cell and platelet transfusions, reduced use of anti-infectives and parenteral nutrition, and reduced hospital costs compared with ABMT. The overall conclusion is that the treatment costs of PBPCT are 15 to 30% lower than the treatment costs of ABMT. However, a formal comparison between PBPCT and ABMT, assessing the differences in toxicity, costs and quality of life, is still awaited.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗
PubMed1996

The cost effectiveness of diclofenac plus misoprostol compared with diclofenac monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The objective of our study was to estimate the cost effectiveness of treatment with a fixed-dose combination of diclofenac and misoprostol compared with diclofenac monotherapy in the prevention of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced ulcers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. A model was used to incorporate estimates of costs, incidence of ulcers and their complications, death rates and the efficacy of misoprostol. The costs per ulcer-free period gained and costs per additional survivor were calculated. Cost effectiveness was calculated for the treatment of all RA patients, and of risk groups only. All costs were measured in 1995 Netherlands guilders (NLG; exchange rate at the time of the study: NLG1 = $US0.60). The analysis showed that if 100 RA patients receive 3 months of treatment with diclofenac plus misoprostol, instead of diclofenac alone, this will lead to overall additional costs of NLG773, while 0.82 symptomatic ulcers and 0.019 deaths will be prevented. If misoprostol is given only to patients at high risk for NSAID-induced ulcer, cost savings will occur instead of additional costs. Univariate sensitivity analysis showed that the outcomes are sensitive to changes in: (i) the percentage of ulcers treated in the ambulatory setting; (ii) the price difference between diclofenac and the fixed-dose diclofenac-misoprostol combination; (iii) the percentage of ulcers with complications; and (iv) the efficacy of misoprostol. In conclusion, it can be stated that treatment with diclofenac-misoprostol is cost saving in RA patients at high risk for NSAID-induced ulcers. For RA patients in general, the cost-effectiveness of this intervention compares favourably with that of other prophylactic treatments.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

A practical guide for calculating indirect costs of disease.

There may be some discussion about whether indirect costs should be taken into account at all in an economic appraisal, but there is certainly considerable debate about the proper way of estimating these costs. This reviews offers a practical guide for quantifying and valuing these indirect costs of disease, both at an aggregated level of general cost of illness studies, and in an economic appraisal of specific healthcare programmes. Two methods of calculating these costs are considered: the traditional human capital approach, and the more recently developed friction cost method. The former method estimates the potential value of lost production as a result of disease, whereas the latter method intends to derive more realistic estimates of indirect costs, taking into account the degree of scarcity of labour in the economy. All necessary steps in the estimation procedure and the data required at various points will be described and discussed in detail.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1996

[Cost-effectiveness analysis of dental implants].

In this article the cost-effectiveness of dental implants (rootform and transmandibular) is compared with making complete dentures combined with vestibuloplasty and just a set of new dentures. The cost components of labour and technique are analysed at the individual patient level. Effectiveness was measured using a ratio scale. Several assumptions for the long run effectiveness of the treatment options are necessary due to lack of information about this in the literature. Assumptions were made regarding: survival rate, life span of dental implants and complete dentures, costs of aftercare and development of oral health in the long run. The main conclusion is that overdentures on rootform implants are superior to complete dentures combined with preprosthetic surgery or overdentures on a transmandibular implant. The choice between treatment with rootform implants or just a new set of dentures is a more difficult matter.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1995

[Adjustment to insulin of patients with type II diabetes mellitus in primary care; good results at low cost].

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of costs and results of different treatment policies for patients with diabetes mellitus type II (NIDDM) starting on insulin. DESIGN: Retrospective study using literature control data. SETTING: Diabetes Centre Rotterdam (DCR). METHODS: The effects of home treatment by the DCR were studied during one year in 52 NIDDM patients by measurement of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values. These effects were compared with literature data. Cost data of insulin treatment were calculated for the different policies. RESULTS: After one year of insulin treatment, the DCR patients had 'satisfactory' HbA1c levels according to international standards. In comparable patients treated at an outpatient clinic these values were 'poor'. Home treatment versus treatment at an outpatient clinic or during hospitalisation constituted a cost reduction of NFL 416 and NFL 2480 per patient respectively. CONCLUSION: Insulin treatment in NIDDM patients at home has at least the same effects on HbA1c values as obtained in patients treated at an outpatient clinic, and reduces costs.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

The friction cost method for measuring indirect costs of disease.

A new approach for estimating the indirect costs of disease, which explicitly considers economic circumstances that limit production losses due to disease, is presented (the friction cost method). For the Netherlands the short-term friction costs in 1990 amount to 1.5-2.5% of net national income (NNI), depending on the extent to which short-term absence from work induces production loss and costs. The medium-term macro-economic consequences of absence from work and disability reduce NNI by an additional 0.8%. These estimates are considerably lower than estimates based on the traditional human capital approach, but they better reflect the economic impact of illness.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1995

Indirect costs of disease; an international comparison.

Results of economic evaluations are often strongly influenced by estimates of indirect costs. International comparability of these estimates may contribute to rational decision-making in health care policy. Hence, estimates should be international comparable. Comparability of these results between countries may be hampered due to variation in methodology, data sources, valuation of production losses, and social security arrangements. Furthermore differences in epidemiology, demography and economic environment may cause variation in the level and the distribution by diagnosis of indirect costs. In this study indirect costs of disease for the Netherlands are compared with estimates for Sweden and the United States. We found large differences: both in the share of indirect costs in GDP as in the constituting elements, absence from work, disability and mortality. The level of indirect costs due to absence from work and the distribution according to diagnosis are quite similar for the two European countries. The costs of disability are particularly high for the Netherlands. Comparison of disability costs between the three countries is hampered due to lack of quantitative information on the influence of social insurance arrangements on the level of indirect costs and the distribution by diagnosis. The large number of deaths at young age in the U.S. is responsible for the higher mortality costs compared to the two European countries.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1995

The impact of migraine on health status.

PROBLEMS: What is the effect of migraine on health status, defined as the patient's physical, psychological, and social functioning? And, suppose that the health status of migraine sufferers appears to be impaired, to what extent is this a consequence of migraine-associated comorbidity rather than of migraine itself? METHODS: A group of 846 migraineurs, selected from the general population following IHS criteria, and a control group were surveyed with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, Nottingham Health Profile, EuroQol instrument, and the COOP/WONCA charts. Questions on demographic characteristics and comorbidity were included. RESULTS: The health status of migraineurs appeared to be significantly impaired in comparison to the control group. Because statistical significance is distinct from relevance, effect size estimators were employed. Although the direction of the differences indicated consistently a worse health status of the migraineurs, regardless of the instrument used, the sizes of the differences were small to medium. Self-reported comorbidity, especially depression, was more prevalent in the migraine group. However, this offered only a partial explanation for the impaired health status of the migraine group. CONCLUSIONS: Migraine has an independent moderately deteriorating effect on the daily functioning of individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Costs and effects of inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The objective of this study was to determine the costs and effects of combined bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory therapy. In a 2.5-yr randomized controlled study, combined beta 2-agonist/corticosteroid therapy (BA + CS) and combined beta 2-agonist/anticholinergic therapy (BA + AC) were compared with beta 2-agonist/placebo therapy (BA + PL). Included in the study were 274 patients 18 to 60 yr of age with moderately severe obstructive airways disease. The main clinical endpoints were lung function, hyperresponsiveness, restricted activity days, and symptom-free days. The economic endpoints were the costs of health care utilization. Compared with BA + PL, BA + CS led to significant improvements in FEV1, PC20, and symptom-free days. BA + AC did not differ from BA + PL in this respect. The respective annual acquisition costs of BA + CS, BA + AC, and BA + PL were 532 US$, 277 US$, and 156 US$. Thus, BA + CS costs 376 US$ more than BA + PL. However, compared with BA + PL therapy, BA + CS led to statistically significant savings in other health care costs of about 175 US$ (95% CI from 46 to 303 US$). Thus, more than half of the additional costs of adding the inhaled corticosteroid are compensated for by a reduction in the costs of other health care services. Overall, inhaled corticosteroids lead to a small but net increase in health care costs of 201 US$ per patient per year.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Societal perspective on the burden of migraine in The Netherlands.

This study presents a comprehensive overview of the societal burden of migraine in The Netherlands. We assessed the direct and indirect costs of this disease, and the health status of patients with migraine. We developed the 'illness and labour' (I&L) questionnaire to collect data on the effect of illness on labour performance. 846 migraine patients and 834 controls were selected from the general population. Participants completed an I&L questionnaire as well as generic health status questionnaires. The direct costs of migraine amounted to 134 million Netherlands guilders (NLG) [$US1 = NLG1.68, October 1994]. Conservative calculations of the costs of absence from work and reduced productivity at work were NLG264 and NLG277 million per year, respectively. Our study did not indicate that migraine caused household productivity losses. The baseline estimate of the total societal costs of migraine in The Netherlands was NLG675 million per year. The assessment of health status showed considerable impairment of psychological and social functioning in migraine patients.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1995

[Dental implants: cost-effectiveness analysis].

The efficacy and effectiveness of dental implants have been proven during the last years. An economic evaluation must be integrated within the clinical evaluations to determine economic (allocative) efficiency. According to the literature dental implants will show better results. The treatment is, however, more expensive. Assessment of costs and benefits can lead to more efficiency in dental care. The possibilities to evaluate the outcome of treatment are discussed and essential aspects of the economic evaluation are described.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed1995

Costs of introducing autologous BMT in the treatment of lymphoma and acute leukaemia in The Netherlands.

In a retrospective study we calculated the costs of introducing autologous BMT in the treatment of patients with malignant lymphoma and acute leukaemia in The Netherlands. The cost analysis has been performed in five university hospitals and one cancer centre, in a series of patients with intermediate and high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and patients with AML. Conventional treatment consisted of chemotherapy. The average costs of the conventional NHL treatment varied from US$3120 to U$12,900. The costs of autologous BMT amounted to US$40,220. In the AML group the costs of conventional treatment amounted to about US$11,040, as only 50% of the patients were treated further. The costs of autologous BMT including a follow-up period of 2 years, amounted to US$55,440. In The Netherlands the total number of autologous BMTs per year in these patient groups was estimated at 230; 180 in the NHL group and 50 in the AML group. The costs of introducing autologous BMT to the NHL group will vary between 4.93 and 6.68 million dollars and for the AML group these costs were estimated at 2.22 million dollars. As a result, the total extra costs of introducing autologous BMTs are expected to be between 7.15 and 8.9 million dollars.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗