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Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Treatment for Esophageal Varices in Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2009

Akira Sasaki
Affiliation:
Iwakuni National Hospital, Japan
John M. Eisenberg
Affiliation:
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Abstract

We analyzed the cost-effectiveness of nonemergent treatment for esophageal varices commonly used in Japan (endoscopic injection sclerotherapy, nonshunting direct interruption procedure, and selective shunt). We assessed the cost per survivor from the perspective of the Japanese government and other payors. Epidemiologic and economic data from published Japanese literature and from Japanese hospital-cost information were applied in decision analysis. While sclerotherapy is the most cost-effective treatment, the popular surgical procedures save the most lives, thus raising difficult ethical issues regarding trade-offs of cost and quality.

Type
General Essays
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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