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National Guideline Alliance (UK). Cystic Fibrosis: Diagnosis and management. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2017 Oct 25. (NICE Guideline, No. 78.)

Cover of Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis: Diagnosis and management.

Appendix MHealth economics quality assessment

M.1. Airway clearance

Study identification
M.P. McIlwaine, M. Richmond, J.L. Agnew, N. Alarie, L. Lands, M. Chilvers, F. Ratjen
WS5.6 Cost-effectiveness of performing positive expiratory pressure versus high frequency chest wall oscillation. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, Volume 13, Supplement 2, Page S11
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 6
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesPEP & HFCWO
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesCanada
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?UnclearNon-societal and direct heath care inferred
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?PartlyHRQoL not considered
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?NATime horizon: 1 year
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoOutcome measure: cost of therapy & number of exacerbations
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Partially applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NACost-benefit analysis alongside RCT
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?PartlyTime horizon: 1 year
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?PartlyQoL outcomes not considered
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?PartlyLack of detail
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?PartlyFrom RCT
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?UnclearSources not reported
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?YesDifference in cost / difference in exacerbations calculable
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?NoOnly point estimates reported
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Severe limitations
Other comments:
Are money-costs and ‘benefits’ which are savings of future money-costs evaluated? No
Have all important and relevant costs and outcomes for each alternative been quantified in money terms? Yes, medical costs appear to include the cost of treating exacerbations, but limited details in conference paper
Has at least 1 of net present value, benefit/cost ratio and payback period been estimated? No, only net present value. Equipment does not appear to be annuitised over the lifespan
Were any assumptions of materiality made? No, all relevant costs appear to be included, but limited details in conference paper

M.2. Monitoring pulmonary disease

Study identification
Moodie et al. 2014. Costs of Bronchoalveolar Lavage-Directed Therapy in the First 5 Years of Life for Children with Cystic Fibrosis. The Journal of Pediatrics; 165 (3), pages 564–569
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 9
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesBAL & standard therapy
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesAustralia & New Zealand
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesHealth care provider
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?PartlyHRQoL and adverse events not considered
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?NATime horizon: 5 years
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoAll outcomes transformed into costs
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?UnclearOther sectors not stated
1.9 Overall judgement: Directly applicable
Other comments: 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 applicable and the alternative outcome measure reported is unlikely to change the conclusions about costeffectiveness.
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NACost benefit analysis alongside RCT
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?YesTime horizon: 5 years
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?PartlyQoL outcomes and adverse events not considered
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?YesFull details on costs provided
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?YesFrom national databases
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?NoCost-benefit analysis
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?PartlySDs & 95% CIs reported
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?PartlyTobramycin provided free by the manufacturer
2.12 Overall assessment: Minor limitations
Other comments:
Are money-costs and ‘benefits’ which are savings of future money-costs evaluated? No
Have all important and relevant costs and outcomes for each alternative been quantified in money terms? Yes
Has at least 1 of net present value, benefit/cost ratio and payback period been estimated? No, only net present value
Were any assumptions of materiality made? No, all relevant costs included and described
Study identification
Etherington et al. 2008. Clinical impact of reducing routine susceptibility testing in chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy; 61, pages 425–7.
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 7
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?NoNumber of routine susceptibility tests conducted on isolates of pseudomonas aeruginosa, frequency is not a comparison in the protocol
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesUK
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?PartlyHRQoL not considered
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?NATime horizon: 6 months
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoOutcome measure: cost savings from reduced resources
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Not applicable
Other comments: Still considered relevant for decision making given that the Committee could make recommendations about the frequency of testing
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NANot a costeffectiveness analysis
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?NoTime horizon: 6 months
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?PartlyQoL outcomes not considered
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?PartlyBefore and after study
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?PartlyBefore and after study
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?PartlyNo detail regarding cost build up
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?PartlyBefore and after study, but resource use not described in detail
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?UnclearSources not reported
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?NoReport cost savings from new protocol from consumable and staff time. Other clinical outcomes also reported.
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?NoOnly point estimates reported
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Very serious limitations
Other comments:
Have all important and relevant costs and outcomes for each alternative been quantified, where appropriate? No, not all relevant costs and outcomes included
Were any assumptions of materiality made to restrict the number of consequences considered? Unclear, insufficient detail regarding cost build-up
Was an analysis of correlations between consequences carried out to help control for double counting? No
Was there any indication of the relative importance of the difference consequence and suggested weighting of them? No
Were there any theoretical relationships between consequences that could have been taken into account in determining weights? Final outcomes associated with a cost a QoL weight such as the duration of IV antibiotics
Were the consequences considered one by one to see if a decision could be made based on a single consequence or a combination of a small number of consequences? No
Were the consequences considered in subgroups of all consequences in the analysis to see if a decision could be made based on a particular subgroup? No
Was an MCDA (multiple criteria decision analysis) or other published method of aggregation of consequences attempted?

M.3. Muocactive agents

Study identification
Suri R, Grieve R, Normand C, Metcalfe C, Thompson S, Wallis C, Bush A. “Effects of hypertonic saline, alternate day and daily rhDNase on healthcare use, costs and outcomes in children with cystic fibrosis.” Thorax. 2002: Oct;57(10):841–6
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 11
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesrhDNase & HS
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesUK
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?PartlyHRQoL and adverse events not considered
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?NATime horizon: 12 weeks
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoOutcomes associated with a resource use transformed into costs
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Partially applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NACost benefit analysis alongside crossover trial
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?PartlyTime horizon: 12 week crossover trial
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?PartlyQoL outcomes and adverse events not considered
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?YesFrom randomised crossover trial
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?YesFrom randomised crossover trial
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?YesFull details on costs provided
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?YesFrom randomised crossover trial
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?YesUK recognised sources
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?NoCost-benefit analysis
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?Partly95% CIs reported
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Minor limitations
Other comments:
Are money-costs and ‘benefits’ which are savings of future money-costs evaluated? No
Have all important and relevant costs and outcomes for each alternative been quantified in money terms? Yes
Has at least 1 of net present value, benefit/cost ratio and payback period been estimated? No, only net present value
Were any assumptions of materiality made? No, all relevant costs included and described
Study identification
Grieve R, Thompson S, Normand C, Suri R, Bush A, Wallis C. “A cost-effectiveness analysis of rhDNase in children with cystic fibrosis.” Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2003: 19(1):71–9.
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 11
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesrhDNase & HS
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesUK
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?PartlyHRQoL and adverse effects not considered
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?NATime horizon: 12 weeks
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoOutcomes associated with a resource use transformed into costs
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Directly applicable
Other comments: 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 applicable and the alternative outcome measure reported is unlikely to change the conclusions about costeffectiveness.
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NAResults taken from crossover trial
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?PartlyTime horizon: 12 week crossover
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?PartlyQoL outcomes and adverse effects not considered
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?YesFrom randomised crossover trial
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?YesFrom randomised crossover trial
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?YesFull details on costs provided
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?YesFrom randomised crossover trial
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?YesUK recognised sources
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?YesICER £ per 1% gain in FEV1
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?YesPSA
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Minor limitations
Other comments:
Study identification
Christopher F, Chase D, Stein K, Milne R.J. rhDNase therapy for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients with mild to moderate lung disease. Clin Pharm Ther. 1999 Dec;24(6):415–26.
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 11
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesrhDNase
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?PartlyUK analysis based on US clinical effectiveness data
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?PartlyHRQoL not considered
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?YesTime horizon: lifetime
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoLYG
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Partially applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?YesRisk of death dependent on FEV1
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?PartlyTime horizon: 12 week crossover trial used to inform analysis
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?PartlyQoL outcomes not considered
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?PartlyFrom US RCT
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?PartlyFrom US RCT
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?PartlyFrom US RCT
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?PartlyFrom US RCT
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?YesUK recognised sources
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?YesICER cost per LYG
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?YesOWSA on FEV1 parameters and subgroup analysis
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Very serious limitations
Other comments:
Study identification
Menzin J, Oster G, Davies L, Drummond MF, Greiner W, Lucioni C, Merot JL, Rossi F, vd Schulenburg JG, Souêtre E. “A multinational economic evaluation of rhDNase in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.” Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 1996: 12(1):52–61.
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 11
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesrhDNase
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?PartlyUK analysis based on US clinical effectiveness data
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?PartlyHRQoL not considered
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?NATime horizon: 24 weeks
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoCost-benefit analysis
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Partially applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NACost-benefit analysis
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?PartlyTime horizon: 24 weeks
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?PartlyQoL outcomes not considered
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?PartlyFrom US RCT
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?PartlyFrom US RCT
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?NoFrom US RCT adapted to UK setting, insufficient detail reported on translation, cost of rhDNase not included
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?PartlyFrom US RCT adapted to UK setting, insufficient detail reported on translation
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?UnclearCost of care taken from 3 UK CF centres
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?NoCost-benefit analysis
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?NoNot assessed
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Very serious limitations
Other comments:
Are money-costs and ‘benefits’ which are savings of future money-costs evaluated? No
Have all important and relevant costs and outcomes for each alternative been quantified in money terms? Unclear, cost of rhDNase not included
Has at least 1 of net present value, benefit/cost ratio and payback period been estimated? No, only net present value
Were any assumptions of materiality made? Unclear
Study identification
McIntyre AM. “Dornase alpha and survival of patients with cystic fibrosis.” Hosp Med. 1999: 60(10):736–9.
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 11
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesrhDNase
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?PartlyUK analysis based on non-UK clinical effectiveness data
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?Yes
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?PartlyDiscount rate: 6% Time horizon: lifetime
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoCost-benefit analysis
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Partially applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NACost-benefit analysis
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?YesTime horizon: lifetime
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?Yes
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?PartlyFrom non-UK studies
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?PartlyFrom non-UK studies
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?UnclearCF costs categorised into mild, moderate or severe CF
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?UnclearFrom non-UK studies, insufficient detail on how CF care is costed according to severity
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?PartlyCost of care taken from a UK study (Robson 1992), based on severity
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?NoCost-benefit analysis
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?YesImprovement with rhDNase varied
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Very serious limitations
Other comments:
Are money-costs and ‘benefits’ which are savings of future money-costs evaluated? No
Have all important and relevant costs and outcomes for each alternative been quantified in money terms? Unclear
Has at least 1 of net present value, benefit/cost ratio and payback period been estimated? No, only net present value
Were any assumptions of materiality made? Unclear
Study identification
Mannitol HTA
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 11
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesrhDNase & mannitol
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesUK
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?Yes
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?YesTime horizon: lifetime
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).Yes
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Yes
1.9 Overall judgement: Applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?Yes
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?YesTime horizon: lifetime
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?Yes
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?YesPatient level data
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?YesPatient level data, note the effect of mannitol was assumed to be the same in rhDNase users and non-users in the manufacturer’s initial submission
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?YesPatient level data
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?YesPatient level data
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?YesUK recognised sources
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?Yes
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?YesPSA
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: No limitations

M.4. Antimicrobial agents

Study identification
Tappenden, P., Harnan, S., Uttley, L., Mildred, M., Walshaw, M., Taylor, C., Brownlee, K., The cost effectiveness of dry powder antibiotics for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis, Pharmacoeconomics, 32, 159–72, 2014
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 13
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesColi DPI vs. NT Tobi DPI vs. NT
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesUK
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?Yes
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?YesTime horizon: lifetime Discount rate: 3.5%
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).Yes
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Yes
1.9 Overall judgement: Applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?YesTreatment switching occurs in clinical practice but no data on this
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?YesTime horizon: lifetime and within trial analysis
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?Yes
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?YesFull details on costs provided
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?YesFrom UK recognised sources
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?Yes
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?YesOWSA and PSA
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: No limitations
Other comments:
Study identification
Tappenden, P., Harnan, S., Uttley, L., Mildred, M., Carroll, C., Cantrell, A., Colistimethate sodium powder and tobramycin powder for inhalation for the treatment of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis: systematic review and economic model, Health Technology Assessment (Winchester, England), 17, v-xvii, 2013
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 13
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesColi DPI vs. NT
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesUK
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?Yes
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?YesTime horizon: lifetime Discount rate: 3.5%
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).Yes
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Yes
1.9 Overall judgement: Directly applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?YesTreatment switching occurs in clinical practice but no data on this
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?YesTime horizon: lifetime and within trial analysis
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?Yes
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?YesFull details on costs provided
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?YesFrom RCT
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?YesFrom UK recognised sources
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?Yes
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?YesOWSA and PSA
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: No limitations
Other comments:
Study identification
Iles, R., Legh-Smith, J., Drummond, M., Prevost, A., Vowler, S., Economic evaluation of Tobramycin nebuliser solution in cystic fibrosis, Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 2, 120–8, 2003
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 13
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesNT
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesUK
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?PartlyHRQoL not considered
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?NATime horizon: 12 months
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoOutcome measure: cost savings from reduced resources
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Directly applicable
Other comments: 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 applicable and the alternative outcome measure reported is unlikely to change the conclusions about costeffectiveness.
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NACost-benefit analysis
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?PartlyTime horizon: 12 months
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?PartlyQoL outcomes not considered
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?PartlyBefore and after study
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?PartlyBefore and after study
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?PartlyInsufficient detail
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?PartlyBefore and after study, but resource use not described in detail
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?UnclearNot all sources reported
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?No
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?No95% CIs reported
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Serious limitations
Other comments:
Are money-costs and ‘benefits’ which are savings of future money-costs evaluated? No
Have all important and relevant costs and outcomes for each alternative been quantified in money terms? Yes
Has at least 1 of net present value, benefit/cost ratio and payback period been estimated? No, only net present value
Were any assumptions of materiality made? None implied
Study identification
Schechter, M. S., Trueman, D., Farquharson, R., Higuchi, K., Daines, C. L., Inhaled Aztreonam Lysine versus Inhaled Tobramycin in Cystic Fibrosis. An Economic Evaluation, Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 12, 1030–8, 2015
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 13
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesAztreonam vs. NT
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?NoUS
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?Yes and noStated but inappropriate – US third party payer
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?Yes
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?YesTime horizon: lifetime Discount rate: 3.0%
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).Yes
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?UnclearCost sources not described
1.9 Overall judgement: Partially applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?Yes
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?YesTime horizon: 3 years
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?Yes
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?YesFrom RCT with an open label extension
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?YesBut note estimates of effectiveness not reproducible
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?UnclearInsufficient detail
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?UnclearInsufficient detail
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?UnclearInsufficient detail and US based sources
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?Yes
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?YesScenario analysis, univariate and PSA
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?PartlySupported by Gilead Sciences
2.12 Overall assessment: Serious limitations
Other comments:

M.5. Service configuration

Study identification
Wolter, J. M., Bowler, S. D., Nolan, P. J., McCormack, J. G., Home intravenous therapy in cystic fibrosis: a prospective randomized trial examining clinical, quality of life and cost aspects, European Respiratory Journal, 10, 896–900, 1997
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 16
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesHome IV vs. hospital IV
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesAustralia
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?PartlyIncludes costs borne by participants (societal perspective)
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?Yes
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?NATime horizon: 5 years
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoCost-consequence analysis, but quality of life assessed
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Partially applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NACost-consequence analysis alongside RCT
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?UnclearTime horizon not defined, 1 course of IV inferred
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?Yes
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?YesFrom small RCT
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?YesFrom small RCT
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?YesFull details on costs provided
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?YesFrom small RCT
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?YesFrom national databases
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?NoCould be calculated from data reported
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?PartlySDs reported but sensitivity analysis not performed
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Serious limitations
Other comments:
Have all important and relevant costs and outcomes for each alternative been quantified, where appropriate? Yes
Were any assumptions of materiality made to restrict the number of consequences considered? None reported
Was an analysis of correlations between consequences carried out to help control for double counting? No
Was there any indication of the relative importance of the difference consequence and suggested weighting of them? No
Were there any theoretical relationships between consequences that could have been taken into account in determining weights? Final outcomes associated with a cost a QoL weight such as the number of hospital admissions
Were the consequences considered one by one to see if a decision could be made based on a single consequence or a combination of a small number of consequences? No
Were the consequences considered in subgroups of all consequences in the analysis to see if a decision could be made based on a particular subgroup? No
Was an MCDA (multiple criteria decision analysis) or other published method of aggregation of consequences attempted? No
Study identification
Thornton, J., Elliott, R. A., Tully, M. P., Dodd, M., Webb, A. K., Clinical and economic choices in the treatment of respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis: comparing hospital and home care, Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 4, 239–47, 2005
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 16
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesHome IV vs. hospital IV, but not exclusive
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesUK
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?PartlyHRQoL not considered
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?NATime horizon: 1 year
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoICER reported. Outcome measure: FEV1
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Directly applicable
Other comments: 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 applicable and the alternative outcome measure reported is unlikely to change the conclusions about cost-effectiveness.
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NA
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?YesTime horizon: 1 year
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?YesQoL outcomes not considered
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?PartlyFrom retrospective observational study
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?PartlyFrom retrospective observational study
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?YesDetails provided
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?YesFrom retrospective observational study
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?YesRecognised UK databases
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?YesDifference in FEV1 / difference in cost
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?Yes95% Cis reported and probabilistic analysis performed
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Minor limitations
Other comments:
Study identification
Elliott, R. A., Thornton, J., Webb, A. K., Dodd, M., Tully, M. P., Comparing costs of home- versus hospital-based treatment of infections in adults in a specialist cystic fibrosis center, International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, 21, 506–10, 2005
Guidance topic: Cystic FibrosisQuestion no: 16
Section 1: Applicability (relevance to specific review questions and the NICE reference case as described in section 7.5)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
1.1 Is the study population appropriate for the review question?YesPeople with CF
1.2 Are the interventions appropriate for the review question?YesHome IV vs. hospital IV, but not exclusive
1.3 Is the system in which the study was conducted sufficiently similar to the current UK context?YesUK
1.4 Are the perspectives clearly stated and are they appropriate for the review question?YesNHS
1.5 Are all direct effects on individuals included, and are all other effects included where they are material?PartlyHRQoL not considered
1.6 Are all future costs and outcomes discounted appropriately?NATime horizon: 1 year
1.7 Is QALY used as an outcome, and was it derived using NICE’s preferred methods? If not, describe rationale and outcomes used in line with analytical perspectives taken (item 1.4 above).NoOutcome measure: Cost
1.8 Are costs and outcomes from other sectors fully and appropriately measured and valued?Unclear
1.9 Overall judgement: Partially applicable
Other comments:
Section 2: Study limitations (the level of methodological quality)Yes/partly/no/unclear/NAComments
2.1 Does the model structure adequately reflect the nature of the topic under evaluation?NA
2.2 Is the time horizon sufficiently long to reflect all important differences in costs and outcomes?YesTime horizon: 1 year
2.3 Are all important and relevant outcomes included?YesQoL outcomes not considered
2.4 Are the estimates of baseline outcomes from the best available source?PartlyFrom retrospective observational study
2.5 Are the estimates of relative intervention effects from the best available source?PartlyFrom retrospective observational study
2.6 Are all important and relevant costs included?YesDetails provided
2.7 Are the estimates of resource use from the best available source?YesFrom retrospective observational study
2.8 Are the unit costs of resources from the best available source?YesRecognised UK databases
2.9 Is an appropriate incremental analysis presented or can it be calculated from the data?NoCould be calculated from data reported
2.10 Are all important parameters whose values are uncertain subjected to appropriate sensitivity analysis?Partly95% CIs reported
2.11 Is there any potential conflict of interest?No
2.12 Overall assessment: Minor limitations
Other comments:
Are money-costs and ‘benefits’ which are savings of future money-costs evaluated? No
Have all important and relevant costs and outcomes for each alternative been quantified in money terms? Yes
Has at least 1 of net present value, benefit/cost ratio and payback period been estimated? No, only net present value
Were any assumptions of materiality made? None implied
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