The cost-effectiveness of competing strategies for the prevention of recurrent peptic ulcer hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Several strategies exist for the prevention of recurrent ulcer-related hemorrhage, yet the cost-effectiveness has not been evaluated and remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of competing management strategies considering both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs status and the accuracy of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) testing. METHODS: Decision analysis was used to compare the cost-per-recurrent hemorrhage prevented for 11 strategies over 1 yr. Clinical and costs estimates were derived from a systematic review of the medical literature and the Medicare Fee Schedule and Drug Topics Redbook. Sensitivity analyses were performed for important variables. RESULTS: The test/retest eradication strategy with maintenance proton pump inhibitor therapy for H. pylori-negative patients was most effective (prevention of recurrence in 96.0%). The test/retest eradication strategy with maintenance histamine-2 receptor antagonist therapy for H. pylori-negative patients was least costly ($1070). The test/retest strategies were dominant with average cost-effectiveness ratios of $1118-1310/recurrent hemorrhage prevented with maintenance antisecretory therapy. The average cost-effectiveness ratios for "selective" H. pylori eradication strategies with maintenance antisecretory therapy were $1263-1673. The model was robust to varying estimates over prespecified ranges. CONCLUSIONS: Test/retest strategies for H. pylori are cost-effective for the prevention of recurrent ulcer-related hemorrhage because they maximize H. pylori detection and eradication, resulting in fewer recurrent hemorrhages and fewer patients requiring antisecretory therapy.