Current Status of Cost Utility Analyses in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

Background

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA), although considered to be highly beneficial, is associated with substantial costs to the US healthcare system. Cost utility analysis has become an increasingly important means to objectively evaluate the value of a healthcare intervention from the perspective of both extending the quantity and improving the quality of life. Relatively little is known about the overall cost utility analysis evidence base in TJA.

Questions/purposes

The goals of this review were to (1) determine the cost utility of TJA interventions; (2) critically assess the quality of published US-based cost utility analyses using the Quality of Health Economic Studies instrument; and (3) determine what characteristics were common among studies receiving a high quality score.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature using the MEDLINE database was performed to compile findings and critically appraise US-based cost utility analysis studies for total hip and knee arthroplasty. Based on review of 676 identified articles, 23 studies were included. We used the Quality of Health Economic Studies instrument to assess study quality and one-sided Fisher’s exact tests were applied to analyze the predictors of high-quality cost utility analysis.

Results

Very few studies compare the cost utility of TJA versus nonoperative intervention; however, the available evidence suggests that TJA can be cost-saving and is highly cost-effective compared with conservative management of end-stage arthritis. The majority of identified studies are focused on the cost utility of new implant technologies or comparisons among surgical alternatives. These studies suggest that the upfront costs associated with new technologies are cost-effective when there is a major reduction in a future cost. The quality of identified studies is quite high (Quality of Health Economic Studies Instrument score: mean 86.5; range, 63–100). National funding source (p = 0.095) and lifetime horizon for analysis (p = 0.07) correlate with high-quality evidence but do not reach significance.

Conclusions

Over the past 15 years, there has been a major increase in the volume of cost utility analyses published in total hip and knee arthroplasty. The quality of cost utility analyses published during that period is good. As increasing attention is paid to value in US health care, more attention should be paid to understanding the cost utility of TJA compared with nonoperative treatment modalities. Future studies may also look to incorporate patient willingness to pay.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11999-014-3964-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The prevalence of partner violence in a group of HIV-infected men

There is a paucity of literature regarding partner violence among males that identifies the sex and relationship of their partner(s). We studied a convenience sample of 54 HIV-infected men, recruited from HIV/AIDS service organizations. Using a standard questionnaire, we collected data on HIV risk behaviours and self-reports of acts of partner violence and forced sex. Physical violence perpetrated by a primary or a casual partner was reported by 39% and 17% of the sample, respectively. Life-time forced sex by a primary or casual partner was reported by 32% and 15% of the sample, respectively. Forced sex was more commonly reported by participants who were non-white and reported a higher number of primary partners in the previous 12 months. We recommend that health care providers be aware of the high rates of intimate partner violence among men infected or at risk of infection with HIV.     

Behavioral change in persons with dementia: relationships with mental and physical health of caregivers

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that changes in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia of persons with Alzheimer's disease have on their caregivers' mental health and physical health. The research design was a prospective, longitudinal follow-up study conducted in a major medical center and in participants' homes. Longitudinal analysis linking change in behavior to caregiver outcomes was based on 64 cases. Care recipients were assessed at the time of diagnosis with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). To provide information on the care recipient's behaviors, caregivers participated in an interview with the Modified Neuropsychiatric Inventory at diagnosis and at follow-up. Caregivers also completed a battery of established instruments to measure stress appraisal, mental health, and perceptions of their physical health at follow-up. Results showed that increases in problem behaviors among persons living with dementia, along with residence status, were significant predictors of caregivers' mental health and also their physical health. However, these relationships were mediated through stress appraisal. Variables such as MMSE score of the person with dementia, number of years caregiving, relationship status, and education level were not significant predictors of caregivers' health when behavior change was in the model.     

应用三维有限元法评估聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯和磷酸钙骨水泥铸件的力学特征

目的:聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯和磷酸钙骨水泥作为经皮椎体后凸成形术填充物,应用三维有限元分析法比较两种材料治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的生物学效应。方法:实验于2003-03/09在南通医学院第一附属医院骨科和上海大学上海生物力学工程研究所合作完成。①利用WD-5型万能材料机测量聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯和磷酸钙骨水泥铸件力学性质。②选取骨质疏松患者1例(患者知情同意),排除其他疾患,应用CT扫描技术、图形数字化方法获取胸腰段的三维坐标,利用ANSYS5.0有限元分析软件等工具建立骨质疏松患者胸腰段的三维有限元模型。③模拟L1经皮椎体后凸成形术,对其和相邻椎体及椎间盘的负荷传递、应力、位移等进行分析。结果:①获取了精确的T11￣L3的多排螺旋CT扫描断层影像数据,经ANSYS5.0软件处理后得到4718个节点,1642个薄极单元,4495个八节点等参单元的骨质疏松患者胸腰段三维有限元力学模型。②采用聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯作为经皮椎体后凸成形术的填充物,比骨质疏松椎体应力增加了近15%。后部结构的应力平均增加13.2%,其中椎弓根增加5.9%,峡部增加6.25%,关节点增加27.6%。聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯在稳定椎体、恢复强度和刚度的同时,可能使其后部结构及相邻腰椎出现应力集中现象。③采用磷酸钙骨水泥作为椎体成形术填充物,比骨质疏松椎体应力平均增加了7%,应力集中现象明显小于聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯。结论:三维有限元力学分析表明两种材料均提高了椎体的抗变形能力,有利于椎体功能的重建。与聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯相比,磷酸钙骨水泥能减少成形椎体和相邻椎体之间的应力梯度,从长远看,能减少椎体退变和相邻椎体骨折的机会。     

从兔股骨头中提取总RNA的方法特点

目的:建立一种高效、快速的骨组织总RNA提取方法。方法:实验于2005-01/2006-01在昆明医学院实验动物中心和中国科学院昆明动物研究所中科院细胞与分子进化重点实验室完成。取健康新西兰大白兔1只,截取其股骨头,迅速置于液氮罐中保存,于研钵中研磨,使骨组织始终保存于液氮中,继续研磨,如此重复3次,然后利用Trizol使骨细胞结构迅速破坏,将粉末转入离心管,室温静置5min。随后加入氯仿等有机溶剂处理、离心,使RNA与细胞DNA、蛋白质及其他成分分离从而得到总RNA。最后鉴定RNA的质量、纯度及产率,取2μL提取出的RNA在体积分数为0.008的甲醛变性琼脂糖凝胶上进行电泳,主要观察RNA的28S、18S及5S三个条带是否清晰,有无降解和DNA污染。以99μLDEPC水稀释1μLRNA样品,紫外分光光度计测量其吸光度(A)值,A260/A280之比值表示RNA的纯度,同时根据吸光度值计算其质量浓度。结果:①对提取的兔股骨头RNA进行琼脂糖凝胶电泳,可显示清晰的28S、18S两个条带,5S条带亦可见,表明了RNA是完整的。②用紫外分光光度法测定兔股骨头中提取出的RNAA260/A280,结果表明由本法提取的RNA纯度高,无DNA和蛋白质的污染。③经紫外分光光度计吸收定量,每毫克兔股骨头组织能提取1.0～1.2μg的总RNA。结论:本法提取骨组织总RNA方便、快捷,质量高,可用于骨组织的分子生物学研究。     

高血压血管重构及高血压状态下的颈动脉血管重构

目的:研究高血压颈动脉重构特点、机制,为临床控制高血压并逆转颈动脉重构提供新靶点。资料来源:应用计算机检索维普全文电子期刊数据库所有相关高血压动脉重构及颈动脉重构方面的文献,检索词“动脉重构,颈动脉重构,高血压”,限定文献语言种类为中文。同时计算机检索Entrez PubMed所有相关高血压动脉重构及颈动脉重构方面的文献,检索词“artery remodeling,carotid artery remodeling,hypertention”,限定文献语言种类为English。资料选择:对资料进行初审,选取包括高血压大动脉重构机制及颈动脉重构方面的文献,开始查找全文。纳入标准:有关高血压颈动脉形态学、平滑肌细胞及细胞外基质重构及其机制的文献。排除标准:与高血压颈动脉重构无关的文献。资料提炼:共检索到168篇关于高血压动脉重构及颈动脉重构的文献,最终纳入39篇符合标准的文献。资料综合:颈动脉血管重构导致高血压的发展和并发症的出现。高血压颈动脉的重构形态学上以壁厚/腔径比值增高、顺应性下降为特点。血管中层平滑肌细胞总体积增加及动脉壁细胞外基质组成成分的变化是高血压颈动脉重构的重要内容。高血压颈动脉重构的机制与细胞增殖、凋亡及血管炎症、纤维化有关。结论:高血压的治疗必须重视血管的保护及血管重构的逆转。通过药物干预及基因治疗,逆转血管重构,将成为多种心血管疾病治疗的重要措施。     

骨髓间充质干细胞向胰岛素分泌细胞诱导分化的动态观察

目的:探讨体外诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向胰岛素分泌细胞分化的可能性,并观察其动态变化。方法:实验于2005-09/2007-03在山东大学齐鲁医院完成。①标本来源:骨髓标本15例来自山东大学齐鲁医院成人骨髓检查结果正常者,均签署捐献同意书。②实验方法:无菌条件下取骨髓2.0～5.0mL,采用percoll分离液和贴壁法获得纯化的成人骨髓间充质干细胞。③实验评估:流式细胞仪行细胞表面抗原检测,在适当的条件下诱导其分化为成骨细胞和脂肪细胞。采用两步法向胰岛素分泌细胞诱导,观察其在碱性成纤维细胞生长因子、活化素A、胰岛素样生长因子、尼克酰胺等因子刺激下向胰岛素分泌细胞分化的动态变化。双硫踪染色鉴定胰岛样细胞团,酶联免疫吸附试验检测细胞分泌胰岛素的情况,RT-PCR检测胰岛细胞特异基因的表达。结果:①骨髓间充质干细胞的生长特性及免疫表型:分离培养获得的贴壁细胞,呈形态均一的梭形,流式细胞仪检测CD34、CD45表达阴性,CD29、CD44表达阳性。②向成骨细胞和脂肪细胞的诱导分化:此类细胞经茜素红染色、油红O染色均呈阳性,可诱导分化为成骨细胞和脂肪细胞。③向胰岛素分泌细胞的诱导分化:第1步诱导后出现细胞簇,双硫腙染色不着色,胰岛素分泌量少,仅检测到PDX-1基因的表达,证实其为胰岛前体细胞。第2步诱导后细胞簇数目逐渐上升,至诱导14d大部分细胞簇经双硫腙染色都呈红色。④诱导后培养上清中胰岛素含量:诱导第3,7,14,21天的胰岛素分泌量分别为(15.3±4.9),(34.1±5.6),(40.4±5.3),(39.8±5.1)mU/L。⑤胰岛细胞特异基因的表达:诱导7d仅检测到PDX-1基因的表达,insulin1、insulin2和Glut2基因均不表达。诱导14,21d检测到insulin2、PDX-1基因表达,insulin1基因弱表达,Glut2基因不表达。结论:体外分离、纯化得到的骨髓间充质干细胞诱导7d可分化出胰岛前体细胞,不具功能性;诱导14d后可成功地分化出成熟的具有功能性的胰岛素分泌细胞。     

双能X射线骨密度仪测量不同个体腰椎椎骨骨面积、骨矿含量的精度差异

目的：对不同个体椎骨短期精度进行观察,发现骨质疏松的严重程度不同其短期精度不同。分析DPX-MD双能X射线骨密度仪测量不同个体椎骨骨面积、骨矿含量、椎体宽、椎体高的短期精密度,了解上述指标对骨矿含量或骨密度测定的影响,以便为骨矿含量或骨密度检测质量控制和减少误差提供依据。 方法：实验于2004-05/2006-12在川北医学院人体解剖实验室与川北医学院附属医院内分泌科骨密度室完成。①对象：铝体模;3个活体椎体（38岁骨密度正常男性;40岁骨质疏松症男性;62岁轻微骨量减少女性）;1个带软组织的死体椎体（由川北医学院人体解剖实验室提供）。②方法及评估：采用美国Lunar公司生产的DPX-MD双能X射线骨密度仪测量各椎体的椎骨面积、骨矿含量、椎体宽、椎体高及骨矿含量/椎体宽。3次/d,连续测定5d。铝体模和死体椎体两端均用小木块固定在6.5cm的高度,放在15cm的水浴中,为减少误差由一人操作。由不同椎骨面积、骨矿含量、椎体宽、椎体高及骨矿含量/椎体宽可得到各自的变异系数。 结果：①腰椎各椎体和L2～4的骨矿含量的变异系数：各椎体或L2～4骨矿含量变异系数从正常男性椎体、骨质疏松症男性椎体、轻微骨量减少女性椎体与死体椎体呈依次增大。②各椎体和L2～4的椎骨面积、椎体宽、椎体高的变异系数：椎骨面积、椎体宽的值从铝体模、正常男性椎体、骨质疏松症男性椎体、轻微骨量减少女性椎体与死体椎体呈依次增大,尤其是轻微骨量减少女性椎体与死体椎体较大;椎体高的变异系数以骨质疏松症男性椎体与轻微骨量减少女性椎体较大,尤其是轻微骨量减少女性椎体的变异系数最大。 结论：不同个体椎骨骨面积、骨矿含量、椎体宽、椎体高的精度不同,对骨密度测定的影响不同。椎间隙欠清楚者由于椎体分椎线难于确定,椎体高度的测定对骨密度测定影响较椎间隙清楚者大;有骨质增生和骨质疏松越严重者由于椎体边缘线难于确定,椎体宽度的测定对骨密度测定影响较无骨质增生和骨密度正常者大;有骨质增生存在和骨质疏松越严重,骨面积的测定对骨密度测定影响越大;骨质疏松越严重,骨矿含量测定对骨密度测定影响越大。