Table 4—

Cost-effectiveness ratios

Direct costsTotal costs
Cost-effectiveness ratios
 Difference in SGRQ total scores at 1-yr follow-up1839/16.3=113−5493/16.3=−337
 FEV1, change in mL1839/195=9.4−5493/195=−28
 FEV1, change in %1839/6.1=301−5493/6.1=−901
Adjusted cost-effectiveness ratios,,
 Difference in SGRQ total score at 1-yr follow-up1110/10−3400/10
 FEV1, change in mL900/100−2800/100
 FEV1, change in %1500/5−4500/5
Cost-effectiveness ratio/per % of patients having:
 A better year1839/38=48−5493/38=−145
 Symptom free days1839/45=41−5493/45=−122
 Symptom free nights1839/34=54−5493/34=−162
 No impact on daily life1839/26=71−5493/26=−211
The cost of making one person have,
 A better year4800−14400
 Symptom free days4100−12200
 Symptom free nights5400−16100
 No impact on daily life7100−21100

  • incremental cost (NOK)/unit of improvement

  • the main outcome cost-effectiveness ratios are rounded off to the nearest NOK 100

  • the cost of making one person have =(direct or total costs difference×number needed to educate)

  • an adjusted cost-effectiveness ratio relates to the cost per outcome of clinical significance

  • SGRQ: St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire

  • FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second

  • NOK: Norwegian Krone