The objective of this study was to assess by simulation the cost-effectiveness of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy compared with conventional medical treatments for patients with disabling spasticity and functional dependence caused by any neurological disease. Two models were created to simulate therapeutic strategies for managing severe spasticity, one with and one without the use of ITB, to assess various treatment sequences over 2 years based on current medical practices in France. The model simulations suggest that including ITB as a first option strategy in the management of function of severely impaired patients with disabling spasticity results in a higher success rate. In addition, the ITB therapy model revealed a lower cost and an overall more favorable cost-effectiveness ratio compared with conventional medical management without ITB.
ITB therapy evaluated by a combination of treatment success criteria at 6-month intervals over a 2-year period may be a cost-effective strategy compared to conventional medical management alone.
Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 2009, 23(6), 546-552