Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Jan 25, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Jan 25, 2024 - Mar 21, 2024
Date Accepted: Apr 14, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
A Digital Software Support Platform for Hyperthyroidism Management in South Korea: A Markov Simulation Model-Based Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
The association between heart rate measured by wearable devices and thyroid function status has been demonstrated by several studies. Efforts are also being made to clinically apply such associations in the management of hyperthyroidism. However, its impact on hyperthyroidism management and societal outcomes requires careful examination.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of introducing a wearable/mobile-based thyroid function digital monitoring solution for hyperthyroidism management and to make a comparison with the existing standard approach.
Methods:
This economic evaluation employed a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 patients with hyperthyroidism in South Korea aged 40 years. A decision-analytic Markov state-transition simulation model was constructed to estimate costs and health outcomes. The model was analyzed from the healthcare system perspective, with a 4.5% annual discount rate for cost and effectiveness and costs inflated to 2022. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to minimize the uncertainty of input parameters. Data were derived from clinical studies, published or publicly available data, and expert assumptions.
Results:
Implementing digital intervention for patients with hyperthyroidism increased the proportion of long-term remission and decreased the rate of post-remission relapse. The digital software supported group yielded an additional 0.32 QALYs with an incremental cost of $3,143, resulting in an ICER value of $9804.30 per QALY gained. Digital-powered softwThe results of this study suggest that applying digital solutions to assist in the diagnosis and treatment process of hyperthyroidism can enhance health outcomes and cost-effectiveness in hyperthyroidism patients. The cost-effectiveness analysis of such digital interventions can be used as a basis for determining appropriate pricing strategies for value-based reimbursement.are could be an optimal cost-effective strategy in 64.4% of iterations against willingness-to-pay thresholds of $32,255/QALY gained.
Conclusions:
The results of this study suggest that applying digital solutions to assist in the diagnosis and treatment process of hyperthyroidism can enhance health outcomes and cost-effectiveness in hyperthyroidism patients. The cost-effectiveness analysis of such digital interventions can be used as a basis for determining appropriate pricing strategies for value-based reimbursement.
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