Using Parameter Constraints to Choose State Structures in Cost-Effectiveness Modelling

Howard Thom, Nicky Welton, Linda Sharples, Chris Jackson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
564 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction: This article addresses the choice of state structure in a cost-effectiveness multi-state model. Key model outputs, such as treatment recommendations and prioritisation of future research, may be sensitive to state structure choice. For example, it may be uncertain whether to consider similar disease severities or similar clinical events as the same state or as separate states. Standard statistical methods for comparing models require a common reference dataset but merging states in a model aggregates the data, rendering these methods invalid. Methods: We propose a method that involves re-expressing a model with merged states as a model on the larger state space in which particular transition probabilities, costs and utilities are constrained to be equal between states. This produces a model which gives identical estimates of cost-effectiveness to the model with merged states, while leaving the data unchanged. The comparison of state structures can be achieved by comparing maximised likelihoods or information criteria between constrained and unconstrained models. We can thus test whether the costs and/or health consequences for a patient in two states are the same, and hence if the states can be merged. We note that different structures can be used for rates, costs and utilities, as appropriate. Application: We illustrate our method with applications to two recent models evaluating cost-effectiveness of prescribing anti-depressants by depression severity and the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic tests for coronary artery disease. Conclusions: State structures in cost-effectiveness models can compared using standard methods to compare constrained and unconstrained models.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)951–962
Number of pages12
JournalPharmacoEconomics
Volume35
Issue number9
Early online date24 Mar 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2017

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  • ConDuCT-II

    Blazeby, J. (Principal Investigator)

    1/04/1431/03/19

    Project: Research

  • MRC METHODOLOGY RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

    Welton, N. J. (Principal Investigator)

    4/05/094/11/13

    Project: Research

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