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Weight Reduction and Pioglitazone are Cost-Effective for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Thailand

Author

Listed:
  • Bunchai Chongmelaxme

    (Naresuan University)

  • Pochamana Phisalprapa

    (Mahidol University)

  • Ratree Sawangjit

    (Mahasarakham University
    Monash University Malaysia)

  • Piyameth Dilokthornsakul

    (Naresuan University)

  • Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk

    (Naresuan University
    Monash University Malaysia
    University of Wisconsin
    Monash University Malaysia)

Abstract

Introduction This study evaluated lifetime liver-related clinical outcomes, costs of treatment, and the cost-effectiveness of treatment options for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Thailand. Methods A cost-utility analysis using a lifetime Markov model was conducted among Thai patients with NAFLD, from a societal perspective. Pioglitazone, vitamin E, a weight reduction program, and usual care were investigated, with the outcomes of interest being the number of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases, life expectancy, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), lifetime costs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. Results When compared with usual care, a weight reduction program can prevent cirrhosis and HCC cases by 13.91% (95% credible interval [CrI] 0.97, 20.59) and 2.12% (95% CrI 0.43, 4.56), respectively; pioglitazone can prevent cirrhosis and HCC cases by 9.30% (95% CrI −2.52, 15.24) and 1.42% (95% CrI −0.18, 3.74), respectively; and vitamin E can prevent cirrhosis and HCC cases by 7.32% (95% CrI −4.64, 15.56) and 1.12% (95% CrI −0.81, 3.44), respectively. Estimated incremental life expectancy and incremental QALYs for all treatment options compared with usual care were approximately 0.06 years and 0.07 QALYs, respectively. The lifetime costs of both a weight reduction program and pioglitazone were less than usual care, while vitamin E was $3050 (95% CrI 2354, 3650). The weight reduction program dominated all other treatment options. The probability of being cost-effective in Thailand’s willingness-to-pay threshold ($4546/QALY gained) was 76% for the weight reduction program, 22% for pioglitazone, 2% for usual care, and 0% for vitamin E. Conclusions A weight reduction program can prevent cirrhosis and HCC occurrences, and dominates all other treatment options. Pioglitazone and vitamin E demonstrated a trend towards decreasing the number of cirrhosis and HCC cases.

Suggested Citation

  • Bunchai Chongmelaxme & Pochamana Phisalprapa & Ratree Sawangjit & Piyameth Dilokthornsakul & Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk, 2019. "Weight Reduction and Pioglitazone are Cost-Effective for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Thailand," PharmacoEconomics, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 267-278, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:pharme:v:37:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s40273-018-0736-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s40273-018-0736-0
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