A Multinational Cost-Consequence Analysis of a Bone Conduction Hearing Implant System-A Randomized Trial of a Conventional vs. a Less Invasive Treatment With New Abutment Technology

Background: It is hypothesized that, for patients with hearing loss, surgically placing an implant/abutment combination whilst leaving the subcutaneous tissues intact will improve cosmetic and clinical results, increase quality of life (QoL) for the patient, and reduce medical costs. Here, increment...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: van Hoof, M, Wigren, S, Blechert, JI, Molin, M, Andersson, H, Mateijsen, DJM, Bom, SJH, Calmels, MN, van der Rijt, AJM, Flyn, MC, van Tongeren, J, Hof, JR, Brunings, JW, Anteunis, LJC, Algarra, JM, Stokroos, RJ, Joore, MA
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2020
Country:España
Institution:INCLIVA
Repository:r-INCLIVA. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica de INCLIVA
OAI Identifier:oai:incliva.fundanetsuite.com:p4420
Online Access:https://incliva.portalinvestigacion.com/publicaciones/4420
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:RCT - randomized controlled trial
cost consequence analysis
HTA (health technology assessment)
BAHA
bone conducting device
skin integration
Description
Summary:Background: It is hypothesized that, for patients with hearing loss, surgically placing an implant/abutment combination whilst leaving the subcutaneous tissues intact will improve cosmetic and clinical results, increase quality of life (QoL) for the patient, and reduce medical costs. Here, incremental costs and consequences associated with soft tissue preservation surgery with a hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated abutment (test) were compared with the conventional approach, soft tissue reduction surgery with an all-titanium abutment (control). Methods: A cost-consequence analysis was performed based on data gathered over a period of 3 years in an open randomized (1:1) controlled trial (RCT) running in four (sic)pean countries (The Netherlands, Spain, France, and Sweden). Subjects with conductive or mixed hearing loss or single-sided sensorineural deafness were included. Results: During the first year, in the Netherlands (NL), France (FR), and Spain (ES) a net cost saving was achieved in favor of the test intervention because of a lower cost associated with surgery time and adverse event treatments [NL (sic)86 (CI -50.33; 219.20), FR (sic)134 (CI -3.63; 261.30), ES (sic)178 (CI 34.12; 97.48)]. In Sweden (SE), the HA-coated abutment was more expensive than the conventional abutment, which neutralized the cost savings and led to a negative cost (SE (sic)-29 CI -160.27; 97.48) of the new treatment modality. After 3 years, the mean cost saving reduced to (sic)17 (CI -191.80; 213.30) in the Netherlands, in Spain to (sic)84.50 (CI -117.90; 289.50), and in France to (sic)80 (CI -99.40; 248.50). The mean additional cost in Sweden increased to (sic)-116 (CI -326.90; 68.10). The consequences in terms of the subjective audiological benefit and Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were comparable between treatments. A trend was identified for favorable results in the test group for some consequences and statistical significance is achieved for the cosmetic outcome as assessed by the clinician. Conclusions: From this multinational cost-consequence analysis it can be discerned that health care systems can achieve a cost saving during the first year that regresses after 3 years, by implementing soft tissue preservation surgery with a HA-coated abutment in comparison to the conventional treatment. The cosmetic results are better.