A cost-minimization analysis of MD-Knee versus hyaluronic acid in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Introduction: The administration by injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) for 3-5 weeks is effective in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Other products for intra-articular use have been recently introduced for the treatment of OA. Among these, a medical device, MD-Knee, produced by Guna S.p.A.; this study aims to estimate the cost-minimization of MD-Knee versus HA in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods and Results: We performed a cost-minimization analysis (CMA). The CMA was conducted from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service (iNHS). Only direct medical costs (MD-Knee and HA) were considered. We performed a sensitivity analysis to test the robustness of the results. The mean 6-months cost per patient was € 75,00 with MD-Knee and € 185,00 with HA. Conclusion: From the Italian National Health Service’s perspective, MD-Knee appears to be the cost-saving therapeutic option compared with HA in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Keywords

• Cost
• Hyaluronic acid
• Italian NHS
• MD-Knee
• SUPARTZ