Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Cost and effectiveness of three alternative surgical treatment methods used in a Turkish hospital

AĞIRBAŞ İ., Tatar M., Kisa A.

Journal of Medical Systems, vol.29, no.5, pp.487-492, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 29 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10916-005-6105-5
  • Journal Name: Journal of Medical Systems
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.487-492
  • Keywords: Benign prostatic hyperplasia, Cost effectiveness, Laser prostatectomy, Open prostatectomy, TURP
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare three alternative surgical therapies for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in terms of their cost and effectiveness in a general hospital setting in Turkey. BPH is an important potential burden on health care resources in developing countries like Turkey, not only because of the increasing incidence of the disease, but also because of the differences in cost and effectiveness that exist among the various available treatment technologies. In this study, three alternative surgical treatments for BPH, namely open prostatectomy, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and laser prostatectomy were compared in terms of their cost and effectiveness. Effectiveness was measured through the use of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) before the operation and at 3 months after. Laser prostatectomy was found to be the most costly and least effective way of treating BPH. This conclusion was valid both in terms of cost per prostate symptom score and cost per improvement of quality of life index. This study shows how a rough estimate can be made of the potential burdens that alternative treatment methods would impose on a country's health budget. © 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.