In terms of the cost elements there are significantly cheaper ways of
doing things.
Cardiovascular risk assessment with say QRISK2 can be performed by a nurse
and requires only a lipid blood test. BMI/BP etc can be established in the
assessment.
At this assessment it can easily be projected when in the future the
patient will reach 20% risk in 10 years and enter the present program.
If Simvastatin 10mg is used no further blood tests or monitoring is
required.
Many of the patients prescribed a statin will have to pay for their
prescriptions. If 6 months are issued at a time what the patient pays will
cover the drug and prescribing costs.
The lower dose of Simvastatin will cause fewer side effects (hopefully
resulting in better compliance) It will have two thirds of the effect on
lowering lipids of Simvastatin 40mg.
I would very much like to know the cost per QUALY at different
age/risk levels calculated on this basis.
Rapid Response:
Alternative assumptions.
In terms of the cost elements there are significantly cheaper ways of
doing things.
Cardiovascular risk assessment with say QRISK2 can be performed by a nurse
and requires only a lipid blood test. BMI/BP etc can be established in the
assessment.
At this assessment it can easily be projected when in the future the
patient will reach 20% risk in 10 years and enter the present program.
If Simvastatin 10mg is used no further blood tests or monitoring is
required.
Many of the patients prescribed a statin will have to pay for their
prescriptions. If 6 months are issued at a time what the patient pays will
cover the drug and prescribing costs.
The lower dose of Simvastatin will cause fewer side effects (hopefully
resulting in better compliance) It will have two thirds of the effect on
lowering lipids of Simvastatin 40mg.
I would very much like to know the cost per QUALY at different
age/risk levels calculated on this basis.
Competing interests: No competing interests