Combination polypharmacy for cardiovascular disease prevention in men: a decision analysis and cost-effectiveness model

Prev Cardiol. 2008 Winter;11(1):36-41. doi: 10.1111/j.1520-037x.2007.06423.x.

Abstract

Pharmacotherapies to lower blood pressure and cholesterol are effective in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The use of fixed-dose medication combinations has not been well studied. The authors created a Markov model to analyze the cost-effectiveness of 4 fixed-dose medications for primary CVD prevention in men. The initial decision node was to treat or not treat men older than 55 years, without CVD, hypertension, or dyslipidemia with a combination of simvastatin, captopril, hydrochlorothiazide, and atenolol. Probability, costs, and effectiveness were derived from the literature. The outcome variable was marginal cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Sensitivity analyses were performed. The average cost of treatment was $70,000 compared with $93,000 for non-treatment. Treatment resulted in 13.62 QALYs vs 12.96 QALYs without treatment. Primary prevention of CVD with fixed-dose medications dominated "no-treatment." The use of a fixed-dose polypharmacy approach to CVD prevention in men older than 55 years may be cost-effective.

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / economics
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Decision Support Techniques*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / economics
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Markov Chains
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors