ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research (Aug 2021)
Cost-Effectiveness of Apixaban versus Other Direct Oral Anticoagulants and Warfarin in the Prevention of Thromboembolic Complications Among Finnish Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation
Abstract
Taru Hallinen,1 Erkki Soini,1 Christian Asseburg,1 Miika Linna,2 Pia Eloranta,3 Sari Sintonen,3 Mikko Kosunen3 1ESiOR Oy, Kuopio, Finland; 2Aalto University, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Espoo, Finland; 3Pfizer Oy, Helsinki, FinlandCorrespondence: Taru Hallinen ESiOR Oy, Tulliportinkatu 2 LT4, Kuopio, FI-70100, FinlandTel +358 50 568 1894Email [email protected]: Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use for the prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) has increased steadily in Finland. DOACs have been shown to be cost-effective in comparison to warfarin, but published evidence of relative cost-effectiveness between DOACs is still scarce and mostly based on indirect comparisons of clinical trial evidence. The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of apixaban to dabigatran, rivaroxaban and warfarin in a Finnish setting using real-life evidence where available.Patients and Methods: A lifetime Markov simulation model used previously in a published Finnish assessment comparing apixaban and warfarin was modified and updated with the relative effectiveness and safety data available from the real-world NAXOS-study and representative Finnish input data for patient characteristics, event risks, mortality, resource use, costs, and quality of life. Apixaban’s cost-effectiveness was assessed from health care payer perspective (using 3% per year discount rate) based on incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER, cost per quality-adjusted life year [QALY] gained), probability of cost-effectiveness (at willingness-to-pay [WTP] of 35,000 euros/QALY), and net monetary benefit (NMB).Results: Apixaban increased the average modelled quality-adjusted life-expectancy and reduced the average total health care costs of AF patients when compared to warfarin (+0.14 QALYs, − 3691 euros), dabigatran (+0.11 QALYs, − 404 euros), and rivaroxaban (+0.03 QALYs, − 43 euros). The resulting NMB of apixaban versus warfarin, dabigatran and rivaroxaban was 8723, 4168, and 1129 euros, respectively. The respective probabilities of apixaban being cost-effective against each comparator were 100%, 92.7%, and 64.0%.Conclusion: In this modelling study, apixaban dominated other anticoagulants in the Finnish real-life setting.Keywords: apixaban, cost-utility, dabigatran, economic evaluation, rivaroxaban, warfarin
