1.
Use of intravenous immunoglobulin in the Department of Neurology at Ninewells Hospital, 2008-2009: Indications for utilization and cost-effectiveness
O'Riordan J, Swingler RJ, Malek NM
Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2010;13((4):):271-5.
Abstract
This study was designed to identify the indications for prescription of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in neurology and the cost effectiveness of this therapy. OBJECTIVES IVIg is a relatively costly therapy and the annual budget spent on providing this therapy for various indications at Ninewells Hospital was close to 1.5 million. In today's economic times, a cost-benefit analysis of all therapies is prudent. This is of relevance to countries in the developing world as well where perhaps not everybody could afford such cost-intensive therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We audited 2 time periods over 12 months each in 2004-2005 and 2008-2009 to look at the patterns of utilization of IVIg over these periods. We searched the literature for alternative and cost-effective therapies for the most common indications for use of IVIg. RESULTS Fiscal costs on prescription of IVIg have rocketed up by almost 300% in this Neurology Department comparing data from 2004-2005 vs 2008-2009 and this is disproportionate to the increase in the annual admission rate (bed usage), partly because of the soaring costs of the drug available in the market and also because of the increased prescription of IVIg for numerous indications where clinical trials data are yet not so robust. CONCLUSION We have looked at the cost of alternative therapies and offer some proposals that if implemented could potentially save 330,000 annually from the health budget at this NHS Trust. Perhaps similar models could evolve for better cost-effective utilization of IVIg in countries in the developing world where health budgeting is more acutely relevant.
2.
Maternal erythropoietin in singleton pregnancies: a randomized trial on the effect of oral hematinic supplementation
Barton DP, Joy MT, Lappin TR, Afrasiabi M, Morel JG, O'Riordan J, Murphy JF, O'Herlihy C
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 1994;170((3):):896-901.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to study the effect of hematinic supplementation on the maternal erythropoietin response during singleton pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN In a randomized, double-blind trial 97 patients with a first-trimester hemoglobin level > or = 14.0 gm/dl received either iron and folic acid (hematinic group, n = 53) or a placebo (n = 44). Serial hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum erythropoietin were recorded from maternal blood and from cord blood on delivery. Serum ferritin was measured in the first trimester, at 36 weeks' gestation, and in cord blood. RESULTS In both groups (1) the mean hemoglobin was lower (p < 0.01) at 40 weeks' gestation than when first examined and (2) the mean serum erythropoietin was higher (p < 0.01). The mean serum ferritin was lower (p < 0.001) in both groups at 36 weeks' gestation than at presentation but higher (p = 0.04) in the hematinic group than in the placebo group. The mean hemoglobin and hematocrit were similar in the two groups until the third trimester but thereafter were higher (p < 0.05) in the hematinic group. The mean maternal serum erythropoietin was higher (p < 0.05) in the placebo group than in the hematinic group after 24 weeks' gestation. The mean cord blood hematologic values were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION Maternal serum erythropoietin increased during pregnancy, but this response was reduced in the third trimester in the hematinic-supplemented group.