Economic Analysis of the Immunostimulant OM-85 for the Prevention of Paediatric Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the cost of preventing recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) with a non- specific immunostimulating agent (OM-85) in at-risk children. Methods A cost consequence analysis was conducted considering three different perspectives: Community, National Health Service and patient. A pre-existing decisional model was used to compare prophylaxis with OM-85 and no prophylaxis. The clinical data was based on the weighted average of the results of nine randomized placebo-controlled trials identified by a Cochrane literature review. Clinical events considered in the model were natural resolution of the infection, onset of complications (acute otitis media, sinusitis, others) and their evolution. Direct and indirect costs incurred by patient, NHS and Community were structured in accordance with the most authoritative guidelines and implemented with current Italian prices and tariffs. Sensibility analyses were performed to evaluate the model robustness. Results The immunostimulating agent OM-85 achieved savings for 40.30 euro/patient in the perspective of the National Health Service and for 182.99 euro/patient in the community's perspective. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of base scenario results. Conclusions Non-specific immunotherapy with OM-85 reduces the incidence of URTIs in at-risk children together with savings for the community and NHS.