Potassium monitoring device saves money, increases quality of life in patients on dialysis
ORLANDO — Using a real-time potassium monitoring device in patients on hemodialysis saves more money than the usual care and increases quality of life, according to a presenter at ASN Kidney Week.
Further, investigators found the device prevents hyperkalemic events among patients on hemodialysis.
Ryan J. Bamforth, MS, MSC, and colleagues compared the cost and quality of life linked with use of a real-time potassium monitoring device in patients on hemodialysis vs. usual care. Investigators designed a decision analytic microsimulation model from the point of view of the United States health care payer with the intention of conducting a cost-utility analysis.
The analysis focused on the monthly break-even cost per patient and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio comparing the two interventions, including costs related to hyperkalemic events and dialysis. Researchers derived utility estimates for patients on hemodialysis from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Additionally, researchers applied a 25% reduction in hyperkalemic events to the intervention scenario as a baseline effectiveness estimate.
Analyses revealed the monthly break-even cost per patient in the base case scenario was $689.56. Further, the real-time potassium monitoring device provided 0.04 additional quality-adjusted life-years. Researchers noted that adjusting the effectiveness estimates between a reduction of hyperkalemic events between 10% and 50%, the monthly break-even costs ranged from $265.36 to $1,387.90.
“Basically, the takeaway result is that if we were to implement this continuous potassium monitoring device, if were to avoid 10% and 15% of all the hyperkalemic events in this population, this scenario would be both less expensive for the system and individuals would live longer quality-adjusted life-years,” Bamforth told Healio.
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Bamforth RJ, et al. FR-PO542. Presented at: ASN Kidney Week; Nov. 3-6, 2022; Orlando (hybrid meeting).
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