Table 1 Healthcare resources and costs used in the model (visits and exams refer to both TARE and sorafenib treatments)
Exam/procedure/DRG | Timing | Code | Cost (€) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CT examination (abdomen) | every 3Â months | 88.01.5 | 137.23 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
First visit | 1 time | 89.7B.6 | 22.50 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Control visit | every 3Â months | 89.01.F | 17.90 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Blood count | every 3Â months | 90.62.2 | 4.05 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Creatinine | every 3Â months | 90.16.3 | 1.70 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Sodium | every 3Â months | 90.40.4 | 1.70 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Potassium | every 3Â months | 90.37.4 | 1.70 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Calcium | every 3Â months | 90.11.4 | 1.70 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Prothrombin time | every 3Â months | 90.75.4 | 2.60 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Albumin | every 3Â months | 90.05.1 | 2.90 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Bilirubin | every 3Â months | 90.10.4 | 1.70 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Alpha-Fetoprotein | every 3Â months | 90.05.5 | 11.05 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Alanine amino transferase (alt) (gpt) | every 3Â months | 90.04.5 | 1.70 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase | every 3Â months | 90.25.5 | 1.70 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Alkaline phosphatase | every 3Â months | 90.23.5 | 1.70 | Regional Healthcare Service price list |
Sorafenib | 7.5 and 8.1Â months duration for intermediate and advanced stages, respectively. Following TARE: 30.3% of patients in intermediate stage, 20% of patients in advanced stage | Â | 3787 | Monthly Hospital cost |
TARE simulation | 1 procedure per patient | 203 | 4052 | Regional DRG reimbursement |
TARE | 1.1 procedures per patient in intermediate stage, 1.02 procedures per patient in advanced stage | 409 | 9510 | Regional DRG reimbursement |
TACE | Following TARE: 18.3% of patients in intermediate stage, 2.2% of patients in advanced stage; Following Sorafenib: 6.6% of patients in intermediate stage, 2.6% of patients in advanced stage | 203 | 4052 | Regional DRG reimbursement |
RFA/PEI or liver resection | Following TARE: 5.5% in intermediate stage; Following Sorafenib: 10.5% of patients in intermediate stage, 1.3% of patients in advanced stage | 192 | 7549 | Regional DRG reimbursement |
Radiotherapy | Following TARE: 2.2% in advanced stage | 409 | 4041 | Regional DRG reimbursement |
Hospitalization for liver decompensation | TARE: 19.4% of patients in intermediate stage, 43% of patients in advanced stage; Sorafenib: in intermediate stage 17.4%, in advanced stage 31% | 464 | 1688 | Regional DRG reimbursement |
Liver transplantation | Following TARE: 3.7% of patients in intermediate stage | 480 | 68,027 | Regional DRG reimbursement |
Liver transplantation (yearly cost after intervention) | Following TARE: 3.7% of patients in intermediate stage |  | 6229 | Cammà 2013 [17], uplifted to year 2018 |