Cost-effectiveness analysis of a surveillance program to prevent hip dislocation in children with cerebral palsy

Objective: In this study we conducted an economic evaluation of a surveillance programme to prevent hip dislocation in children with cerebral palsy. Method: We developed a model that compared costs and health outcomes of children with cerebral palsy with and without a surveillance programme. Information from a number of sources was combined into a decision analytical model, primarily based on data from a comparative study with a 20-year follow-up. Effectiveness was measured using Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). The analysis took the perspective of the Spanish National Health Service. We undertook extensive sensitivity analyses including a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Results: The surveillance programme led to higher QALYs and higher health care costs, with an estimated incremental cost per QALY gained of 12,282(sic). The results were robust to model assumptions. The probability that the programme was cost-effective was estimated to be over 80% at the threshold of 25.000(sic)/QALY recommended in Spain. Conclusion: This study indicates that surveillance programmes to prevent hip dislocation in children with cerebral palsy are likely to be cost-effective. (C) 2019 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).