ABSTRACT: In addition to medical treatment,
deep brain stimulation has become an alternative therapeutic
option in advanced Parkinson’s disease. High initial
costs of surgery have to be weighted against longterm
gains in health-related quality of life. The objective
of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of
deep brain stimulation compared with long-term medical
treatment. We performed a cost-utility analysis using
a lifetime Markov model for Parkinson’s disease. Health
utilities were evaluated using the EQ-5D generic health
status measure. Data on effectiveness and adverse
events were obtained from clinical studies, published
reports, or meta-analyses. Costs were assessed from
the German health care provider perspective. Both
were discounted at 3% per year. Key assumptions
affecting costs and health status were investigated
using one-way and two-way sensitivity analyses. The
lifetime incremental cost-utility ratio for deep brain stimulation
was e6700 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY)
and e9800 and e2500 per United Parkinson’s Disease
Rating Scale part II (motor experiences of daily living)
and part III (motor examination) score point gained,
respectively. Deep brain stimulation costs were mainly
driven by the cost of surgery and of battery exchange.
Health status was improved and motor complications
were reduced by DBS. Sensitivity analysis revealed that
battery life time was the most influential parameter, with
the incremental cost-utility ratio ranging from e20,000
per QALY to deep brain stimulation dominating medical
treatment. Deep brain stimulation can be considered
cost-effective, offering a value-for-money profile comparable
to other well accepted health care technologies.
Our data support adopting and reimbursing deep
brain stimulation within the German health care system.