RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Considerations and preliminary proposals for defining a reference case for economic evaluations in ankylosing spondylitis.
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 1178
OP 1183
VO 34
IS 5
A1 Nick Bansback
A1 Andreas Maetzel
A1 Mike Drummond
A1 Aslam Anis
A1 Carlo Marra
A1 Peter Conway
A1 Maarten Boers
A1 Peter Tugwell
A1 Annelies Boonen
YR 2007
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/34/5/1178.abstract
AB Since healthcare resources are scarce, choices have to be made on how they will be allocated. The use of economic evaluations using cost-effectiveness analyses has increased rapidly as policymakers have realized their value in maximizing the population's benefits (in terms of length of life and health status) within a given budget. Following efforts by OMERACT to create reference case definitions for the conduct of economic evaluation in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis, we review various methodological areas and research decisions that could benefit from a consensus between researchers, clinicians, and drug developers in terms of an ankylosing spondylitis (AS) reference case. Ten methodological issues are presented that will be important for future development of evaluations. Tentative proposals to define the issues in a reference case for AS are made, along with recommendations for further research.