Cost-effectiveness research in osteoporosis

The clinical and economic burden of osteoporosis is high and has resulted i n increasing interest in assessing the costs and benefits associated with s trategies to reduce the incidence of fracture. In this article, we aim to s ummarize the major issues related to conducting economic evaluations of the rapies for osteoporosis. We identify the principal data parameters (baselin e clinical probabilities, effectiveness, costs, and utilities) and economic model characteristics (patient age, compliance, and duration of therapy). We highlight these issues by referring to previous studies identified in a systematic review and to current work in the area. Further discussion provi des an overview of the results of the existing economic evaluations of ther apies for osteoporosis and a brief summary of ongoing research in Canada. I n conclusion, there appears to be a consensus in the literature that under most circumstances hormone replacement therapy is cost-effective in the tre atment of osteoporosis. Further research is required before definitive conc lusions on the cost-effectiveness of other therapies can be made. Drug Dev. Res. 49:135-140, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.