Volume 47 | Number 6 | December 2012

Abstract List

Kouta Ito M.D., M.S., William H. Shrank M.D., Jerry Avorn, Amanda R. Patrick M.S.,, Troyen A. Brennan M.D., J.D., Elliot M. Antman M.D.,, Niteesh K. Choudhry M.D., Ph.D.


Objective

To evaluate the comparative cost‐effectiveness of interventions to improve adherence to evidence‐based medications among postmyocardial infarction () patients.


Data Sources/Study Setting

Cost‐effectiveness analysis.


Study Design

We developed a arkov model simulating a hypothetical cohort of 65‐year‐old post‐ patients who were prescribed secondary prevention medications. We evaluated mailed education, disease management, polypill use, and combinations of these interventions. The analysis was performed from a societal perspective over a lifetime horizon. The main outcome was an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio () as measured by cost per quality‐adjusted life year () gained.


Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Model inputs were extracted from published literature.


Principal Findings

Compared with usual care, only mailed education had both improved health outcomes and reduced spending. Mailed education plus disease management, disease management, polypill use, polypill use plus mailed education, and polypill use plus disease management cost were $74,600, $69,200, $133,000, $113,000, and $142,900 per gained, respectively. In an incremental analysis, only mailed education had an of less than $100,000 per and was therefore the optimal strategy. Polypill use, particularly when combined with mailed education, could be cost effective, and potentially cost saving if its price decreased to less than $100 per month.


Conclusions

Mailed education and a polypill, once available, may be the cost‐saving strategies for improving post‐ medication adherence.