Cost-effectiveness Assessment of Commonly-used Drugs for Hepatoprotection and Enzymes Reduction Based on Decision Tree and Multi-utility Theory

ObjectiveDrugs for hepatoprotection and enzymes reduction are widely used in China but their economic analysis has been ignored in a rather long period of time. A suitable protocol for hepatoprotection and enzymes reduction was recommended in Longhua Hospital.MethodsThis study was conducted as a retrospective piece. Three therapeutic protocols (compound glycyrrhizic glycoside combined with aspartic ornithine injection, compound glycyrrhizic glycoside combined with phosphatidylcholine, and compound glycyrrhizic glycoside combined with tiopronin) were selected. Seventy inpatient cases from January 2011 to February 2012 were enrolled and divided into three groups according to different regimens. The cost effectiveness of the three groups was respectively evaluated by incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). A decision tree model and multi attribution utility theory were also adopted to analyze the data.ResultsAll the three regimens exhibited good effects on protecting liver functions and reducing the levels of enzymes. Among them, the protocol of compound glycyrrhizic glycoside combined with tioproni expressed the least ICER, the lowest cost but the highest score in the multi-utility.ConclusionThe therapeutic method of compound glycyrrhizic glycoside combined with tiopronin is the most cost-effective option in this study.