Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program

A comprehensive health economic analysis from a randomized controlled trial

Auteurs-es

  • English Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University
  • Gabriela Ilie Dalhousie University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1602-6374
  • Ricardo A. Rendon Dalhousie University
  • Ross J. Mason Dalhousie University
  • Mohammad Hajizadeh Dalhousie University
  • Prosper Senyo Koto Nova Scotia Health
  • Martha Foley Dalhousie University
  • Andrea Kokorovic Dalhousie University
  • Nikhilesh Patil Dalhousie University
  • David Bowes Dalhousie University
  • Greg Bailly Dalhousie University
  • Derek Wilke Dalhousie University
  • MacDonald Dalhousie University
  • Robert David Harold Rutledge Dalhousie University

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.9222

Mots-clés :

prostate cancer, curative disease, cost-effectiveness analysis, medical billings, quality-adjusted life years, mental health, patient education and empowerment intervention, survivorship

Résumé

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP), a six-month comprehensive intervention designed to enhance psychological well-being and reduce healthcare expenditures among prostate cancer patients.

METHODS: In a crossover randomized clinical trial of 128 men aged 50–82 years scheduled for curative prostate cancer surgery or radiotherapy (± hormone treatment), 66 men received the PC-PEP intervention immediately, while 62 were randomized to a waitlist control arm and received standard care for six months before receiving PC-PEP. The intervention included daily activities targeting physical fitness, pelvic floor training, stress management, intimacy, social support, and dietary guidance. Cost-effectiveness was assessed from a healthcare payer perspective using billing data from Nova Scotia’s Medical Services Insurance (MSI) and self-reported outcomes. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEACs) were calculated using bootstrapped samples. Psychological distress was assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), while quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated from SF-6D utility scores.

RESULTS: PC-PEP resulted in cost savings of $411.53 CAD per patient at six months, with a 30% reduction in clinically significant psychological distress and a QALY gain of 0.013. At 12 months, savings increased to $660.89 CAD per patient, preventing 31% of distress cases and yielding a QALY gain of 0.034. These outcomes demonstrate that PC-PEP is a dominant intervention, achieving both improved clinical outcomes and reduced healthcare expenditures.

CONCLUSIONS: PC-PEP is a dominant, cost-effective strategy that significantly improves psychological well-being while lowering healthcare costs. Early implementation following prostate cancer diagnosis is strongly recommended to maximize both clinical and economic benefits.

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Biographie de l'auteur-e

Gabriela Ilie, Dalhousie University

Dr. Ilie’s substantive interests are in the areas of prostate cancer health related quality of life, survivorship, patient education and patient empowerment programs, patient-reported outcomes, population health, mental health, substance use, and health policy. She is particularly interested in the intersection of chronic illness and various patient-reported disease-specific and health related quality of life outcomes, with a special emphasis on adults and aging.

Publié-e

2025-08-28

Comment citer

Nuyens, A., Ilie, G., Rendon, R. A., Mason, R. J., Hajizadeh, M., Koto, P. S., … Rutledge, R. D. H. (2025). Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program: A comprehensive health economic analysis from a randomized controlled trial. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 19(12), 410–9. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.9222

Numéro

Rubrique

Original Research