| Study | Limitations | Applicability | Other comments | Inc. costs | Inc. effects | Inc. cost-effectiveness | Uncertainty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etherington 2008 | Very seriousa | Not applicableb,c | New protocol to reduce the number of routine susceptibility tests | The projected savings of this intervention (cost year 2008) were €3,500 in consumables and 170 hours (costed at €6,500) of laboratory staff time per annum, a total annual saving of €10,000 (£6,500) | No significant differences in median change of FEV1, FVC, CRP, white cell count, weight or duration of IV antibiotics were observed. | NR | Not assessed |
| Moodie 2014 | Minord | Directlye | Data collected from a RCT | Mean total costs per child during the 5-year study period:
| NR | NR | 95% CIs reported |
A$, Australian dollars; BAL; bronchoalveolar lavage; CI, confidence interval; CF, cystic fibrosis; CRP, C-reactive protein; FEV, forced expiratory volume; FVC, forced vital capacity; IV, intravenous; MD, mean difference; NA, not applicable; NR, not reported; RCT, randomised controlled trial
no detail regarding resource use and unit costs, only point estimates reported
frequency of tests not a comparison of interest in the protocol, but considered useful for decision making in this area
QALY not used as an outcome measure
not all important and relevant outcomes included (health-related quality of life and adverse effects)
This study does not include the preferred measure of effects (QALYs), but is still thought to be useful for decision making, given that all other criteria are relevant and the alternative outcome measure reported is unlikely to change the conclusions about cost-effectiveness.
From: Appendix K, Health Economics
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