A Scoping Review of Cost and Cost-Effectiveness Analyses of Solid Organ Transplantation in Japan: Range of Recipient Costs (Including Extrapolated Costs in CEA) and Consideration of Donor Costs

Background and Rationale Solid organ transplantation significantly improves patient survival; however, it requires substantial healthcare resources from the perioperative period through long-term follow-up, resulting in high medical costs. In Japan, reimbursement for transplantation procedures is considered insufficient, placing a considerable burden on healthcare institutions. Although detailed cost data are essential for appropriate policy evaluation, empirical cost studies and economic evaluations in Japan are fragmented across organ types, data sources, and analytical frameworks. Objectives 1. Identify the range of recipient costs by organ type. 2. Summarize methods and assumptions used for cost extrapolation. 3. Examine how donor costs are considered. Methods Study Design This study will follow PRISMA 2020 principles. Eligibility Criteria Inclusion Criteria - Studies on solid organ transplantation in Japan - Organs: kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, small intestine - Cost analyses and economic evaluations Exclusion Criteria - Non-human studies - Reviews, editorials, abstracts, case reports - Non-English/Japanese studies Information Sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Ichushi-Web Study Selection Two reviewers will independently screen studies. Data Extraction Data on costs, methods, and study characteristics will be extracted. Synthesis Descriptive synthesis by organ type. Ethics and Dissemination No ethical approval required. Results will be published.