PROTEIN-A IMMUNOADSORPTION COLUMN VERSUS SPLENECTOMY IN THE TREATMENTOF STEROID-RESISTANT IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA - A COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

The protein A immunoadsorption column is a new treatment for immune th rombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We used a decision-analytic approach wit h a Markov process to model the cost effectiveness of this treatment c ompared with splenectomy for steroid-resistant ITP patients. Data info rming the model were obtained from published literature, a panel of ph ysicians, and public databases. We found initial treatment with the pr otein A immunoadsorption column to be less expensive and more effectiv e than initial treatment with splenectomy.