Cost-effectiveness of ticagrelor plus aspirin versus aspirin in acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack: an economic evaluation of the THALES trial
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
1-1-2023
Journal
BMJ neurology open
Volume
5
Issue
2
DOI
10.1136/bmjno-2023-000478
Keywords
health economics; stroke
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: THALES demonstrated that ticagrelor plus aspirin reduced the risk of stroke or death but increased bleeding versus aspirin during the 30 days following a mild-to-moderate acute non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke (AIS) or high-risk transient ischaemic attack (TIA). There are no cost-effectiveness analyses supporting this combination in Europe. To address this, a cost-effectiveness analysis was performed. METHODS: Cost-effectiveness was evaluated using a decision tree and Markov model with a short-term and long-term (30-year) horizon. Stroke, mortality, bleeding and EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) data from THALES were used to estimate short-term outcomes. Model transitions were based on stroke severity (disabling stroke was defined as modified Rankin Scale >2). Healthcare resource utilisation and EQ-5D data beyond 30 days were based on SOCRATES, another trial in AIS/TIA that compared ticagrelor with aspirin. Long-term costs, survival and disutilities were based on published literature. Unit costs were derived from national databases and discounted at 3% annually from a Swedish healthcare perspective. RESULTS: One-month treatment with ticagrelor plus aspirin resulted in 12 fewer strokes, 4 additional major bleeds and cost savings of €95 000 per 1000 patients versus aspirin from a Swedish healthcare perspective. This translated into increased quality-adjusted life-years (0.04) and reduced societal costs (-€1358) per patient over a lifetime horizon. Key drivers of cost-effectiveness were number of patients experiencing subsequent disabling stroke and degree of disability. Findings were robust over a range of input assumptions. CONCLUSION: One month of treatment with ticagrelor plus aspirin is likely to improve outcomes and reduce costs versus aspirin in mild-to-moderate AIS or high-risk TIA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03354429.
APA Citation
Tank, Amarjeet; Johnston, S Claiborne; Jain, Ritika; Amarenco, Pierre; Mellström, Carl; Rikner, Klas; Denison, Hans; Ladenvall, Per; Knutsson, Mikael; Himmelmann, Anders; Evans, Scott R.; James, Stefan; Molina, Carlos A.; Wang, Yongjun; and Ouwens, Mario, "Cost-effectiveness of ticagrelor plus aspirin versus aspirin in acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack: an economic evaluation of the THALES trial" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 3209.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/3209
Department
Biostatistics and Bioinformatics