OnabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of overactive bladder: a cost-effectiveness analysis versus best supportive care in England and Wales

Eur J Health Econ. 2016 Sep;17(7):911-21. doi: 10.1007/s10198-015-0737-2. Epub 2015 Oct 19.

Abstract

The cost-effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX(®)) 100 U + best supportive care (BSC) was compared with BSC alone in the management of idiopathic overactive bladder in adult patients who are not adequately managed with anticholinergics. BSC included incontinence pads and, for a proportion of patients, anticholinergics and/or occasional clean intermittent catheterisation. A five-state Markov model was used to estimate total costs and outcomes over a 10-year period. The cohort was based on data from two placebo-controlled trials and a long-term extension study of onabotulinumtoxinA. After discontinuation of initial treatment, a proportion of patients progressed to downstream sacral nerve stimulation (SNS). Cost and resource use was estimated from a National Health Service perspective in England and Wales using relevant reference sources for 2012 or 2013. Results showed that onabotulinumtoxinA was associated with lower costs and greater health benefits than BSC in the base case, with probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicating an 89 % probability that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio would fall below £20,000. OnabotulinumtoxinA remained dominant over BSC in all but two scenarios tested; it was also economically dominant when compared directly with SNS therapy. In conclusion, onabotulinumtoxinA appears to be a cost-effective treatment for overactive bladder compared with BSC alone.

Keywords: Cost-effectiveness; Incontinence; OnabotulinumtoxinA; Overactive bladder.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / economics*
  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Aged
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / economics*
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / therapeutic use*
  • Cholinergic Antagonists / economics
  • Cholinergic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • England
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incontinence Pads / economics
  • Male
  • Markov Chains
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Econometric
  • Quality of Life
  • Quality-Adjusted Life Years
  • Urinary Bladder, Overactive / drug therapy*
  • Wales

Substances

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
  • Cholinergic Antagonists
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A