Inhaled Aztreonam Lysine versus Inhaled Tobramycin in Cystic Fibrosis. An Economic Evaluation

Rationale: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis and is associated with a high economic burden. A recently published comparator trial demonstrated that outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis with chronic P. aeruginosa infections switched from tobramycin solution for inhalation to aztreonam lysine for inhalation were better than those of patients who continued on tobramycin.Objectives: To compare overall costs of treatment of chronic inhaled tobramycin and aztreonam lysine in patient with cystic fibrosis who have chronic Pseudomonas infection, taking differences in outcomes into account.Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis with a 3-year time horizon was performed to simulate the economic consequences of either treatment from the perspective of a third party payer in the United States. We extrapolated results from the comparator trial and used data regarding clinical outcomes, quality of life, and costs from published literat...