Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Impact of Emerging Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Abstract

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most prevalent and costly chronic conditions among middle-aged and elderly men. Prostatic urethral lift (PUL) and convective water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT) are emerging minimally invasive surgical treatments as an alternative to traditional treatment options for men with moderate-to-severe BPH. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of PUL and WVTT for men with BPH using long-term clinical outcomes.

Methods: The cost-effectiveness and budget impact models were developed from a US Medicare perspective over a 4-year time horizon. The models were populated with males with a mean age of 63 and an average International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 22. Clinical inputs were extracted from the LIFT and Rezum II randomized controlled trials at 4 years. Utility values were assigned using IPSS and BPH severity levels. Procedural, adverse event, retreatment, follow-up, and medication costs were based on 2019 Medicare payment rates and Medicare Part D drug spending. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSAs) were performed.

Results: At 4 years, PUL was associated with greater retreatment rates (24.6% vs 10.9%), lower quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) (3.490 vs 3.548) and higher total costs (US$7393 vs US$2233) compared with WVTT, making WVTT the more effective and less costly treatment strategy. The 70% total cost difference of PUL and WVTT was predominantly driven by higher PUL procedural (US$5617 vs US$1689) and retreatment (US$976 vs US$257) costs. The PSA demonstrated that relative to PUL, WVTT yielded higher QALYs and lower costs 99% and 100% of the time, respectively.

Conclusions: Compared to PUL, WVTT was a cost-effective and cost-saving treatment of moderate-to-severe BPH. These findings provide evidence for clinicians, payers, and health policy makers to help further define the role of minimally invasive surgical treatments for BPH.