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. 2022 Oct 1;46(5):523-531.
doi: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000129. Epub 2022 Apr 8.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of prosthesis provision for patients with transfemoral amputation in Tanzania

Claire A Donnelley  1 , Ericka P von Kaeppler  1 , Alexander Hetherington  2 , Corin Shirley  2 , Billy T Haonga  3 , Sravya T Challa  4 , Jan Andrysek  5 , Emily Mochizuki Lutyens  6 , Leah Mamseri  7 , Geofrey Mwakasungula  7 , Saam Morshed  1 , David W Shearer  1
Affiliations

Cost-effectiveness analysis of prosthesis provision for patients with transfemoral amputation in Tanzania

Claire A Donnelley et al. Prosthet Orthot Int. .

Abstract

Background: Limb loss leads to significant disability. Prostheses may mitigate this disability but are not readily accessible in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cost-effectiveness data related to prosthesis provision in resource-constrained environments such as Tanzania is greatly limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of a prosthesis intervention compared with that of no prosthesis for persons with transfemoral amputations in an LMIC.

Study design: This is a prospective cohort study.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients were prospectively followed up. Clinical improvement with prosthesis provision was measured using EuroQuol-5D, represented as quality-adjusted life years gained. Direct and indirect costs were measured. The primary outcome was incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year, measured at 1 year and projected over a lifetime using a Markov model. Reference case was set as a single prosthesis provided without replacement from a payer perspective. Additional scenarios included the societal perspective and replacement of the prosthesis. Uncertainty was measured with one-way probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Results: From the payer perspective, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was $242 for those without prosthetic replacement over a lifetime, and the ICER was $390 for those with prosthetic replacement over a lifeime. From the societal perspective, prosthesis provision was both less expensive and more effective. One-way sensitivity analysis demonstrated the ICER remained below the willingness to pay threshold up to prosthesis costs of $763.

Conclusions: These findings suggest prosthesis provision in an LMIC may be cost-effective, but further studies with long-term follow up are needed to validate the results.

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References

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    1. Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender E and C, Dar es Salaam. Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey. Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Dar es Salaam Ministry of Health Zanzibar National Bureau of Statistics Dar es Salaam Office of Chief Government Statistician Zanzibar ICF. 2015-2016.
    1. Harkins CS, McGarry A, Buis A. Provision of prosthetic and orthotic services in low-income countries: A review of the literature. Prosthet Orthot Int 2013; 37: 353–361.
    1. Ikeda AJ, Grabowski AM, Lindsley A, et al. A scoping literature review of the provision of orthoses and prostheses in resource limited environments 2000-2010. Part one: considerations for success. Prosthet Orthot Int 2014; 38: 269–286.
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