In cost-effectiveness analysis, which is a common outcome measure?

In cost-effectiveness analysis, which is a common outcome measure?

• A. Cost per patient treated
• B. Cost per life-year gained
• C. Cost per adverse event avoided
• D. Cost per unit of health outcome

Answer: (B)

In cost-effectiveness analysis, you quantify how much additional cost is required for each unit of health benefit. The most typical unit used is life-years gained, because it directly reflects survival benefit from an intervention. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is built as the extra cost divided by the extra life-years gained when comparing two strategies, making this measure a straightforward way to judge value across different treatments. Other options miss the focus on a health outcome. Cost per patient treated centers on the process rather than the health benefit. Cost per adverse event avoided highlights safety outcomes but isn’t a general measure of overall effectiveness. Cost per unit of health outcome is too vague unless you specify the exact outcome (e.g., life-years gained or QALYs), making it less informative as a standard metric.

In cost-effectiveness analysis, you quantify how much additional cost is required for each unit of health benefit. The most typical unit used is life-years gained, because it directly reflects survival benefit from an intervention. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is built as the extra cost divided by the extra life-years gained when comparing two strategies, making this measure a straightforward way to judge value across different treatments.

Other options miss the focus on a health outcome. Cost per patient treated centers on the process rather than the health benefit. Cost per adverse event avoided highlights safety outcomes but isn’t a general measure of overall effectiveness. Cost per unit of health outcome is too vague unless you specify the exact outcome (e.g., life-years gained or QALYs), making it less informative as a standard metric.