Economic evaluation of tranexamic acid for the treatment of acute gastrointestinal bleeding: a cost-effectiveness analysis using data from the HALT-IT randomised controlled trial

Objective To perform an economic evaluation of tranexamic acid (TXA) versus no-TXA, in addition to current clinical practice, for acute gastrointestinal bleeding, using the results of the HALT-IT trial (NCT01658124), a large randomised controlled trial which included 11 937 patients. Design A cost-effectiveness modelling analysis, performed over a lifetime time horizon. Setting The analysis was performed from a UK health service perspective. Participants The model includes adults with acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Outcomes measures The model reports costs in Great British pounds in 2021 and outcomes as life years (LYs) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Cost-effectiveness was evaluated using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), reported as the cost per QALY gained. Methods A Markov model was developed to calculate the overall costs and health outcomes of TXA administration versus no-TXA. The model used data of the treatment effectiveness from the HALT-IT trial, which showed that TXA administration for acute gastrointestinal bleeding did not reduce all-cause mortality (risk ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.16) compared with no-TXA. Data on health-related quality of life, costs and long-term mortality risks were derived from the literature. Costs and effects are discounted at 3.5% per annum. Results TXA was associated with marginally fewer LYs and QALYs, and lower costs, than treatment without TXA. The ICER associated with no-TXA was 1576 pound per LY gained and 2209 pound per QALY gained. No-TXA was 64% likely to be cost-effective at a 20 pound 000 willingness-to-pay threshold, while TXA was 36% likely to be cost-effective. Conclusion Though inexpensive, TXA administration for patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding is unlikely to be cost-effective.

Automated summary

This economic evaluation compared the cost-effectiveness of TXA versus no-TXA for acute gastrointestinal bleeding, showing that TXA administration, despite being inexpensive, is unlikely to be cost-effective. TXA was associated with marginally fewer life years and quality-adjusted life years, and lower costs compared to treatment without TXA.