Cost-effectiveness analysis of plasmapheresis and hemoperfusion in COVID-19 survivors after hospital discharge

Status: Manuscript submitted, in review

Plasmapheresis and hemoperfusion are two extracorporeal blood purification therapies used extensively in critically ill COVID-19 patients at the height of the pandemic. While some studies demonstrated improvements in clinical measures, their high costs present a significant challenge. This study is a followup of our previously published paper.

Goal

This project evaluates the cost-effectiveness of plasmapheresis and hemoperfusion in COVID-19 survivors post-hospital discharge, focusing on long-term clinical outcomes and economic sustainability.

Key Steps

• Patient Follow-up: ICU-discharged patients were followed-up at three time points—immediately after discharge, one month, and six months.
• Data Collection: Vital signs, laboratory markers, quality of life (via EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and WHO life table), and direct medical costs.
• Analysis: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) calculated using non-parametric bootstrapping, cost-effectiveness scatterplots, and acceptability curves following CHEERS 2022 guidelines.
• Outcome Evaluation: Assessment of clinical improvements and economic impact (hospitalization costs, QALY).

Tools used

• Statistical Analysis: IBM SPSS v. 26
• Cost Effectiveness Analysis: R v. 4.3.3.