1.
Cost-minimization analysis in the Indian subcontinent for treating Guillain Barre Syndrome patients with therapeutic plasma exchange as compared to intravenous immunoglobulin
Maheshwari A, Sharma RR, Prinja S, Hans R, Modi M, Sharma N, Marwaha N
Journal of Clinical Apheresis. 2018;33((6):):631-637.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) and Intravenous Immunoglobulin both are first-line treatments for Guillain Barre Syndrome; however, there is a significant difference in cost. We undertook this study to assess the cost minimization for treating Guillain Barre Syndrome patients. METHODS A prospective randomized controlled trial was undertaken, in which 40 Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) patients with a GBS disability score of grade four and five were enrolled. A societal perspective was adopted for the analysis and assessment of both the health system cost and out-of-pocket expenditures. Cost-minimization analysis was undertaken as both the treatments were equally effective at the end of 12 weeks. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were observed in the GBS Disability scores during overall treatment course in both treatment groups. The Out-of-pocket cost for the immunoglobulin (IVIG) group was INR 219 247 (4298 USD) and for the TPE group was INR 104 070 (2040.5 USD). Overall INR 86 685 ($1700), that is, 53% higher cost was observed in IVIG group without any concomitant health outcome benefit. CONCLUSION In comparison with IVIG, TPE appears to be the better option for treatment of GBS in cost-constraint countries like ours to provide an economic treatment option to most average people.
2.
Association between red cell transfusions and necrotizing enterocolitis
Amin SC, Remon JI, Subbarao GC, Maheshwari A
Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 2012;25((Suppl 5)):85-9.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Several case reports and retrospective studies have reported a temporal association between red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). In this article, we review the clinical evidence and biological plausibility of the association between RBC transfusions and NEC. METHODS A literature search was performed using the databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus, and the electronic archive of abstracts presented at the annual meetings of the Pediatric Academic Societies. RESULTS Among all cases of NEC, 25 -40% patients were noted to have received an RBC transfusion within a 48 hour period prior to onset of NEC. Compared to infants who developed NEC unrelated to transfusion, neonates with transfusion-associated NEC were born at an earlier gestation, had lower birth weights, and had a delayed onset at 3-5 weeks of postnatal age. CONCLUSIONS Based on current clinical evidence, transfusion-associated NEC appears to be a plausible clinical entity. However, there is a need for cautious interpretation of data because all the studies that have been conducted until date are retrospective, and therefore, susceptible to bias. A large, prospective, multi-center trial is needed to evaluate the association between RBC transfusion and NEC.