17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate for the prevention of preterm delivery -: A cost-effectiveness analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the use of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate for the prevention of recurrent preterm deliveries is cost-effective. METHODS: Using decision-analysis modeling, we compared the cost-effectiveness of using 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in four subgroups: 1) Prior preterm deliveries less than 32 weeks; 2) prior preterm deliveries 32-37 weeks; 3) prior term delivery; and 4) no prior delivery. Each subgroup was compared with a "no treatment" group. Costs included those for 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, hospital admissions, and complications from preterm deliveries. The main outcome measures include cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained and the number of preterm deliveries prevented. Secondary outcomes include neonatal complications prevented. One-way and multiway sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: The use of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate for the prevention of preterm deliveries result in cost-savings in women with prior preterm deliveries less than 32 weeks and 32-37 weeks. The sensitivity analyses revealed the model to be robust over a wide range of values for evaluated variables. CONCLUSION: Within our baseline assumptions, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate was associated with costsavings when used for the prevention of preterm deliveries in women with prior preterm deliveries.