An economic analysis of aspirin desensitization in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

Background Aspirin desensitization is an effective therapy for moderate-to-severe aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). Desensitization also allows the use of aspirin for secondary cardiovascular prevention. Objective We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of aspirin desensitization with subsequent aspirin therapy in patients with AERD. Methods The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project was used, together with average reimbursements from a large Midwestern health care plan, to model the costs of aspirin desensitization for therapeutic and prophylactic use in patients with AERD. Event probabilities were based on the published literature. Results Ambulatory desensitization for AERD cost $6768 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) saved ($18.54 per additional symptom-free day). Aspirin desensitization for AERD remained cost-effective (