Abstract

GUEVARA, César Augusto  and  CARRILLO, Diana Cristina. Cost-effectiveness of the diagnostic methods in acute appendicitis, systematic literature review. rev. colomb. cir. [online]. 2013, vol.28, n.3, pp.201-211. ISSN 2011-7582.

Introduction. The diagnosis of appendicitis in some cases is challenging, requiring the use of imaging techniques such as ultrasound and computed tomography. However there is controversy about the appropriate diagnostic approach because the use of them can raise costs significantly. The purpose of this study is to review systematically the published studies in order to determine the most cost-effective alternative in the diagnosis of this condition. Materials and methods. A systematic review of complete cost-effectiveness studies comparing imaging techniques in appendicitis was conducted using electronic databases without limits of date of publication. Results. Two hundred and three studies were found, but 201 were excluded (186 were duplicated, 6 were not complete diagnostic economic evaluation and 9 did not accomplish the quality criteria). Two cost-effectiveness analyses were included. Both studies evaluated ultrasound and computed tomography based on decision analytic model. One study found that the computed tomography is cost-effective (COLP-$4/diagnosed patient) compared to ultrasound with pretest probability (20-80%). However with pretest probability greater than 88%, ultrasound is the most cost-effective alternative (COLP-$8.2/diagnosed patient). Another analysis found that ultrasound followed by computed tomography compared with computed tomography alone or ultrasound is the most cost-effective alternative in females and males (US$7852/quality adjusted life year versus US$17 108/quality adjusted life year). Conclusion. Although performing computed tomography can be a cost-effective alternative comparing with ultrasound, the cost effectiveness ratio of them depends on pretest probability.

Keywords : appendicitis; Diagnosis; ultrasonography; tomography; cost-effectiveness evaluation; technology assessment; biomedical.

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