Thinking outside the box: recent advances in the analysis and presentation of uncertainty in cost-effectiveness studies

Briggs, A.H. , O'Brien, B.J. and Blackhouse, G. (2002) Thinking outside the box: recent advances in the analysis and presentation of uncertainty in cost-effectiveness studies. Annual Review of Public Health, 23, pp. 377-401. (doi: 10.1146/annurev.publhealth.23.100901.140534)

Abstract

As many more clinical trials collect economic information within their study design, so health economics analysts are increasingly working with patient-level data on both costs and effects. In this paper, we review recent advances in the use of statistical methods for economic analysis of information collected alongside clinical trials. In particular, we focus on the handling and presentation of uncertainty, including the importance of estimation rather than hypothesis testing, the use of the net-benefit statistic, and the presentation of cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. We also discuss the appropriate sample size calculations for cost-effectiveness analysis at the design stage of a study. Finally, we outline some of the challenges for future research in this area—particularly in relation to the appropriate use of Bayesian methods and methods for analyzing costs that are typically skewed and often incomplete.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Briggs, Professor Andrew
• Authors: Briggs, A.H., O'Brien, B.J., and Blackhouse, G.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine; H Social Sciences > HG Finance
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Annual Review of Public Health
• Publisher: Annual Reviews
• ISSN: 0163-7525
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2002 Annual Reviews
• First Published: First published in Annual Review of Public Health 23:377-401
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.