Cost-effectiveness analysis of COPD screening programs in primary care for high-risk patients in China

We built a decision-analytic model to compare the cost-effectiveness of using portable spirometer and questionnaire to screen chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) with no screening (i.e. usual care) among chronic bronchitis patient in China. A lifetime horizon and a payer perspective were adopted. Cost data of health services including spirometry screening and treatment costs covered both maintenance and exacerbation. The result indicated that portable spirometer screening was cost-saving compared with questionnaire screening and no screening, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of -5026 and -1766 per QALY, respectively. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results. In summary, portable spirometer screening is likely the optimal option for COPD screening among chronic bronchitis patients China.

Automated summary

A decision-analytic model was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of portable spirometer and questionnaire screening for COPD among chronic bronchitis patients in China. The results indicated that portable spirometer screening was cost-saving, with sensitivity analyses confirming the robustness of the findings. In summary, portable spirometer screening may be the optimal option for COPD screening in this population.