Vitamin A cost-effective for preventing chronic lung disease in premature infants: Study
Colombia: Vitamin A is cost-effective for reducing the incidence rate of chronic lung disease in premature infants, according to an economic evaluation. The study, published in the journal Pediatric Pulmonology, provides evidence that should be utilized to improve clinical practice guidelines by decision-makers.
Vitamin A is a group of fat-soluble compounds required by the body for regulating and promoting the growth and differentiation of many cells, including cells that line the air passages in the lungs and cells in the retina of the eye. At birth, preterm infants have low levels of vitamin A. This may contribute to an increased risk of developing chronic lung disease. Despite growing evidence on efficacy, not much is known about the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation for decreasing the probability of chronic lung disease in preterm infants.
Against the above background, Jefferson Antonio BuendÃa, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia, and colleagues, aimed to determine the cost-utility of Vitamin A to prevent chronic lung disease in preterm infants in Colombia.
For this purpose, the researchers used a decision tree model to estimate the cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of vitamin A supplementation in preterm infants. To evaluate the robustness of the model, multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) value of US$5180.
Key findings of the study include:
- Vitamin A was associated with lower costs and higher QALYs.
- The expected annual cost per patient with Vitamin A was US$1579 and without Vitamin A was US$1913.
- The QALYs per person estimated with Vitamin A was 0.66 and without Vitamin A was 0.61.
- This position of absolute dominance (Vitamin A has lower costs and higher QALYs than without Vitamin A) is unnecessary to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.
The researchers conclude, "Our economic evaluation shows that Vitamin A is cost-effective to reduce the incidence rate of CLD in premature infants in Colombia."
"Our study provides evidence that should be used by decision-makers to improve clinical practice guidelines," they wrote.
Reference:
BuendÃa JA, Patiño DG, Lindarte EF. Vitamin A supplementation for the prevention of chronic lung disease in premature infants: a cost-utility analysis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022 Jul 6. doi: 10.1002/ppul.26067. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35794801.
