Adequate Multivitamin Supplementation after Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Results in a Decrease of National Health Care Costs: a Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Introduction Patients with morbid obesity undergoing metabolic surgery are prone to develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which may worsen in time. In order to prevent these deficiencies after metabolic surgery, all patients are advised to take daily multivitamin supplementation. The aim of the study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of specially developed multivitamins (WLS Forte (R)) for metabolic surgery and over-the-counter (standard) multivitamin supplementation (sMVS). Methods This cost-effectiveness analysis was preformed alongside an RCT for the Netherlands. Between June 2011 and March 2012, a total of 148 patients were randomized to one tablet daily of either WLS Forte (R) or sMVS. The patients were followed for 12 months. Data on costs within the health sector and outside the health sector were collected. The primary outcome is financial and logistic advantages, in terms of less patient visits to the outpatient department and the relevant costs to the employer due to absenteeism. Results In total, 10 (14%) patients in the WLS Forte (R) group versus 23 (30%) patients in the sMVS group developed a deficiency. The costs for the WLS forte (R) supplement were (sic)38 versus (sic)23 for sMVS. Additional return visits and associated costs for medical staff were the largest costs, up to 43% in the sMVS group. Total costs for supplementation with sMVS were (sic)243 versus (sic)134 for WLS Forte (R). Conclusion Preventing deficiencies with WLS Forte (R) seem initially more expensive than sMVS. However, treatment with WLS Forte (R) resulted in less vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which eventually resulted in less overall costs.