A cost-utility analysis of mitoxantrone hydrochloride and interferon beta-lb in the treatment of patients with secondary progressive or progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis

Background: Information on the cost utility of interferon beta-1b and mitoxantrone hydrochloride, 2 disease-modifying agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of secondary progressive (SP) multiple sclerosis (MS), is limited. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the cost utility of IV mitoxantrone hydrochloride administered every 3 months, SC interferon beta-1b administered every other day, and routine supportive care from the perspectives of both the insurer and society Methods: We used a Markov model with health states based on the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores from both an insurer's and a societal perspective (including direct and total costs, respectively). Theoretical patients entered the model with an EDSS score of 3; their progression was followed for 10 years. Transition probabilities were derived from clinical trial data. Cost and utility inputs were taken from the literature. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on all variables. Results: From the insurer's perspective, the incremental cost-utility ratio of mitoxantrone hydrochloride therapy compared with routine supportive care was $58,272 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. From a societal perspective, mitoxantrone hydrochloride was more effective and less costly than supportive care. From the perspectives of insurers and society, the cost-utility ratios of interferon beta-1b compared with routine supportive care were $338,738 and $245,700 per QALY gained, respectively When compared with mitoxantrone hydrochloride, interferon beta-1b had an incremental cost-utility ratio of $741,331 and $658,402 per QALY from the insurer's and society's perspectives, respectively Cost-utility ratios for mitoxantrone hydrochloride were sensitive to acquisition and administration costs of therapy and to effectiveness at slowing disease progression. Cost-utility ratios for interferon beta-1b were not sensitive to any of the variables included in the model. Conclusions: Mitoxantrone hydrochloride is likely to be a cost-effective treatment for patients with SPMS or progressive relapsing MS from an insurer's perspective and is cost saving from a societal perspective. Interferon beta-1b is not likely an efficient treatment using conventional comparisons for cost-effectiveness. This analysis has potentially important implications for policy implementation; however, decisions about which agent to use for each patient should consider the treatment's adverse-event profile, the method of administration, and the patient's preferences for these factors. Copyright (C) 2003 Excerpta Medica, Inc.