In the unadjusted analysis, cost-effectiveness was also highest with WES, represented by an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $15,000 per diagnosis. The adjusted analysis, however, found EP to be the most cost-effective genetic testing solution, represented by an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $15,848 per diagnosis. After EP, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for WES was $34,500 per diagnosis.

“Health care costs have been growing rapidly in recent decades and currently represent approximately one-third of the median household income for families in the United States,” the researchers wrote. “An individualized evaluation of cost-effectiveness based on a priori diagnostic yields for each of the targeted populations and costs for each test is expected to optimize diagnostic yield and use of resources.”

Reference

Sánchez Fernández I, Loddenkemper T, Gaínza-Lein M, Sheidley BR, Poduri A. Diagnostic yield of genetic tests in epilepsy: A meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness study [published online January 4, 2019]. Neurology. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006850

SOURCE: By B May for Neurology Advisor