Open Access
Health related quality of life of patients with generalized anxiety disorder
(2008) Cabasés Hita, Juan Manuel; Sánchez Iriso, Eduardo; Rovira i Forns, Joan; Economía; Ekonomia
Aims: To analyze the health-related quality of life of patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), with respect to the population at large and to a control group. The following goals are addressed: 1.- To determine what, if any, differences exist between the health status of patients diagnosed with GAD, the population in general and a group of control patients; 2.- To analyze the relation between the variables age, sex, and health status (as assessed by the patient’s GP) measured on the Hamilton anxiety scale, with the quality of life of the GAD patients and of the control group; 3.- To determine whether the variables age, sex, Hamilton scale values and index of quality of life influence the annual cost caused by the illness; 4.- To determine whether there are any differences in the evaluation of the same health status made by GAD patients and by the general population. This study forms part of a broader-ranging one (the ANCORA Study) set up to analyze Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and the costs and other burdens provoked by this illness in Spain. Material and Methods: Regression models were used to obtain the EQ-5D index of health state (EQindex) and to analyze the above-mentioned variables. The data on patients and on the costs of the illness are those registered in the ANCORA study. Results: The patients with GAD present a self-perceived level of health (EQ-5D) that is conspicuously below that corresponding to the general population, especially in three of the dimensions, namely usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The mean value of the health index (EQindex) is ten points below that of the general population and that of the control group. Age was found to be negatively related to the health variables, as was a higher score on the Hamilton scale. For the group of patients with GAD, a worse perceived health state and a higher score on the Hamilton scale were associated with higher costs, although in the latter case the explicative power of the model is weak. Finally, the GAD patients assessed their health status more negatively than did the general population, with a visual analogue scale (VAS) result that was four points lower than that made by the general population.
Open Access
Costs and effectiveness of a syringe distribution and needle exchange programme for HIV prevention in a regional setting
(2002) Cabasés Hita, Juan Manuel; Sánchez Iriso, Eduardo; Economía; Ekonomia
Objective: To estimate the costs and effectiveness of a HIV prevention intervention consisting of distribution of an anti-Aids kit and needle exchange, in operation since 1993 in Navarra, Spain. Methods: Total costs of the programme, namely production, storage and distribution as well as management, are estimated getting a cost figure per sterile syringe distributed. Effectiveness, defined as the number of averted HIV infections among IDUs due to their injecting behaviour, is estimated as a function of the level of coverage of the programme, using a mathematical model. Results: The estimated number of averted HIV infections ranged from 7.59 (in 1995) to 1.23 (in 2000). Yearly incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) ranged from 8.331 (in 1994) to 44.287 (in 2000) euro per HIV infection averted. With estimated health care costs of treatment of an HIV infection of 99.371 euro, the programme has been cost saving along the whole period considered. One way sensitivity analysis for 5 uncertain parameters was performed. These were the number of active IDUs in the region, number of annual injections among IDUs with non sterile syringes, percentage of lost and unused syringes of the total provided, probability of HIV infection due to injecting behaviour, and life expectancy of HIV+ persons. The results confirm our findings. We conclude the programme has been cost saving from the health care system perspective.
Open Access
Cost efectiveness analysis of therapeutic strategies for patients with chronic hepatitis C previously non responders to interferon
(2003) San Miguel Elcano, Ramón; Mar, Javier; Cabasés Hita, Juan Manuel; Guillén Grima, Francisco; Butí, María; Economía; Ekonomia
Background: The efficacy of combination therapy in previous non responders to interferon (IFN) monotherapy with chronic hepatitis C is lower than in naïve patients, and there has been no economic evaluation in this population. Aim: To develop a cost-effectiveness analysis of therapeutic regimens with IFN alpha and ribavirin in previous interferon non-responders. Methods: A Markov simulation model was used to project the clinical and economic outcomes of five different therapeutic strategies including a “no treatment” alternative using the health care system perspective. The effectiveness data for the different doses and durations was obtained from a previously performed meta-analysis. A sensitivity analysis was performed to test robustness of the model, analysing changes in different variables. Results: Applying a 3% discount rate, the standard patient on combination therapy for 12 months showed an increase of 0.80 years and 1.55 quality adjusted life years (QALYs), when comparing combination therapy for 12 months vs. “no treatment” strategy. This option led to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 11,767 euros per year of life gained and 6,073 euros per QALY. Conclusions: Combination therapy with interferon plus ribavirin in previous interferon non-responders shows an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio within the range of some well accepted medical interventions in our health care system.
Open Access
Societal perspective on the eliciting of health states preferences
(2000) Cabasés Hita, Juan Manuel; Ugalde, José M.; Gaminde, Idoia; Economía; Ekonomia
With the concept of 'societal perspective' in mind, a study using the PTO and 8 EQ-5D defined health states, (using two selection criteria: states self assessed by people in a real context -women with breast cancer-, and similar distance in the TTO-York tariff), with a sample of 51 individuals selected from the general population of Navarra (Spain), was carried out. The main objectives were: 1) To elicit some EQ-5D health states values using a societal technique (PTO); 2) to check people concern about severity of illness when valuing equal gains from different starting points in the scale; and 3) to asses the effect on values of limited potential health improvements. The results shown very high values for the health states selected (0.90 to 0.99), due to the effect of anchoring on immediate death. Severity does not seem to be considered by the majority of people interviewed, although some 25% of them showed preference for similar health gains in those individuals in worse initial health. The same can be said for the concern for the limited potential health improvement, where most people seem to show an utilitarian perception.
Open Access
Self perceived health status of schizophrenic patients in Spain: an analysis of geog raphical differences using bayesian approach
(2005) Cabasés Hita, Juan Manuel; Sánchez Iriso, Eduardo; Vázquez Polo, Francisco J.; Negrín, Miguel A.; Domínguez Irastorza, Emilio José; Economía; Ekonomia
Objectives. This paper explores the use of regression models for estimating health status of schizophrenic patients, from a Bayesian perspective. Our aims are: 1- To obtain a set of values of health states of the EQ-5D based on self-assessed health from a sample of schizophrenic patients. 2- To analyse the differences in the health status and in patients’ perceptions of their health status between four mental-health districts in Spain. Methods. We develop two linear models with dummy variables. The first model seeks to obtain an index of the health status of the patients using a VAS as a dependent variable and the different dimensions of EQ-5D as regressors. The second model allows to analyse the differences between the self-assessed health status in the different geographic areas and also the differences between the patients’ self-assessed health states, irrespective of their actual health state, in the different geographic areas. The analysis is done using Bayesian approach with Gibbs sampling (computer program WinBUGS 1.4). Data concerning self-assessed EQ-5D with VAS from four geographic areas of schizophrenic patients were obtained for the purposes of this analysis. Results. We obtained the health status index for this sample and analysed the differences for this index between the four geographic areas. Our study reveals variables that explain the differences in patients’ health status and differences in their health states assessment. We consider four possible scenarios.
Open Access
Contracting arrangements in the health strategy contex. A regional approach for Spain
(2000) Cabasés Hita, Juan Manuel; Gaminde, Idoia; Gabilondo, Luis; Economía; Ekonomia
Background. Several different proposals have been made recently to reform the organisation, financing and management of the health care system in Spain. The aim is to obtain improved efficiency, without prejudicing the equity level already achieved, by creating a more competitive framework. However, current health strategies seem not to be in accord with these proposals. This paper approaches the issue of matching these two main components of the health systems, health strategy and contracts, and emphasises the need to develop contracting arrangements within the general health policy framework. Design: Case studies, analysis of published and unpublished documents, and semi-structured interviews with key informants. Results and discussion. A review of regional health strategies and regional contracts developed in the 1990s is presented, followed by an analysis of the degree of incoherence between them. Then we discuss whether the programme contract can be an instrument guided by the health plan, commenting on its potential and limitations. Conclusion. The relationship between health strategy and health care management is practically non-existent in Spain. The need to insert the contract cycle within the broader framework of the planning cycle has led to proposals to adapt contracts and health plans to guarantee their coherence. This will require changes in the structure of both of these instruments and, probably, deeper structural modifications of the context within which both have been developed. To this aim, we make some recommendations for policy making.
Open Access
An economic model of behaviour: attitudes towards altruistic blood and organ donations
(2009) Cabasés Hita, Juan Manuel; Errea Rodríguez, María; Economía; Ekonomia
The aim of this research is to model altruistic blood and organ donors behaviour. First, we make an analysis of the decision of to be or not to be a donor for any individual. We propose a model where individuals compare the expected utility of deciding to become a donor, with the utility of the alternative decision (not to become a donor). Second, we continue with the identification of the variables having influence over this decision, the expected effects of such a donation (positive and negative) and the importance of the expectations over individuals well-being and the subsequent decision. We work with rational individuals that behave altruistically when making a decision. The model is specific because the goods we consider can only cover vital needs. We posed hypothesis about some variables for each kind of the donations considered (blood and organ donations). This hypothesis can be useful to identify which are the variables having influence actually over this decision. We propose a pilot survey to test our model. First results from a university students survey show the relevant variables influencing blood an organ donations, and seem to confirm the model.
Open Access
Instrumentos económicos para la priorización de pacientes en lista de espera: los modelos de elección discreta
(2006) Cabasés Hita, Juan Manuel; Sánchez Iriso, Eduardo; San Miguel Inza, Fernando; Economía; Ekonomia
Objetivos. Analizar cuáles deben ser los criterios clínicos y sociales en base a los cuales deben ser priorizados los pacientes en listas de espera quirúrgicas programadas. Métodos Se estima un modelo de elección discreta (MED) utilizando una muestra representativa de la población general de Navarra. La muestra fue seleccionada mediante muestreo aleatorio simple por cuotas de edad y sexo, estratificada por áreas y municipios de residencia de la población mayor de 18 años. La información obtenida fue analizada mediante métodos bayesianos. Resultados. Los individuos ordenan a los pacientes según el tiempo de espera, la gravedad de la enfermedad y el coste de la intervención. Es decir, los pacientes que más tiempo llevan esperando, con enfermedades más graves y cuyos tratamientos son más costosos deberían ser intervenidos antes. Conclusiones. Los resultados indican que los tiempos de espera no deberían ser la única variable utilizada para la priorización de pacientes en las listas de espera. Un resultado interesante que deberá ser analizado en el futuro es la importancia otorgada al coste de la intervención. Los resultados reflejan también el potencial de los MED para crear mecanismos de priorización de pacientes en las listas de espera
Open Access
Uso de índices de necesidad relativa para estimar opciones de financiación sanitaria en las regiones venezolanas
(2003) Espinoza Ferrer, Natalie C.; Cabasés Hita, Juan Manuel; Economía; Ekonomia
Objetivo: Estimar necesidades relativas de gasto de las regiones venezolanas, basadas en técnicas estadísticas de análisis multivariante. Material y Métodos: Se utilizan datos del año 1997 referidos a variables demográficas (Pob<5 años; Pob >5años y < de 65 años; Pob > 65 años); de estado de salud (mortalidad infantil, mortalidad general, y como proxy de morbilidad se ha calculado la razón de mortalidad estandarizada, tanto infantil como general); variables socioeconómicas ( índice de desarrollo humano y índice de pobreza), para las 23 regiones venezolanas. Se aplicaron las técnicas de análisis de componentes principales (ACP), análisis cluster (AC) y regresión; para hacer una estimación de las necesidades relativas de gasto sanitario público venezolano; con la finalidad de obtener un conjunto de indicadores fiables que permitan conocer cuáles son los factores que las determinan en mayor medida y qué relación guardan con los criterios que se han venido utilizando en el reparto final de los recursos sanitarios. Resultados: al aplicar el ACP se seleccionaron las tres primeras componentes que explican el 97,381% de la variabilidad conjunta interpretando que estas variables son las que tienen mayor influencia, el análisis cluster permitió organizar a las regiones en cuatro grupos relativos a la necesidad de financiación de salud; así mismo se construyó la ecuación para calcular los índices de necesidad relativa de gasto, obteniéndose unos valores de necesidades relativas de las regiones venezolanas. El análisis de regresión contrasta necesidades relativas de gasto con respecto al gasto per cápita en salud; obteniéndose un R2 = 0,27; esto significa que durante el año analizado los gastos realizados en sanidad sólo responden en un 27% de los gastos necesarios; la regresión entre necesidades de gasto relativas y el índice de desarrollo humano obtiene un R2 = 0,49; lo que muestra que las necesidades responden en un 49% a los gastos necesarios. Conclusiones: El uso de índices de necesidad relativa puede ser una alternativa muy útil para distinguir regiones con mayores necesidades de gasto en sanidad, y por tanto, ser una herramienta para asignar recursos en salud en el ámbito regional basado en criterios de equidad.
Open Access
Using bayesian techniques to build up an inconsistency free health status index
(2004) Cabasés Hita, Juan Manuel; Sánchez Iriso, Eduardo; Economía; Ekonomia
Objectives: 1-To obtain a set of values of health states of the EQ-5D based on self-related health VAS using linear and non- linear models Bayesian techniques. 2 - To analyse “logical consistency” in different models and to derive a model free from logical inconsistencies. 3 - To analyse and compare results of several models when using a priori sources of information. Methods: We apply the usual models and transformations of these, in order to attain logical consistency of the value set. Models proposed are: linear model (1); linear with dummy variables (2) and two models with a logistic structure with different distributions of the coefficients to be estimated (3 and 4). For two of these models new dummies are added in order to obtain logical consistency (2B and 4B). Results: We propose a modelling to guarantee consistency of values of the EQ-5D health states that may be applied to suitable samples at apparently low cost of fit. This model is nonlinear, has distribution Gamma in the coefficients and specific dummy variables. The introduction of priors may reduce the cost of forcing logical consistency.