Estimating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of implant types for patients undergoing total hip and knee replacement: using evidence synthesis and national registries to inform economic decision models

Abstract: Fast-pacing advancements in medical technology mean that large expensive randomised controlled trials are not always possible, can quickly become outdated, or take too long to effectively inform clinical practice. There is a growing emphasis on routinely collecting data from patients in care and a push to intersect these data sources for the benefit of research and decision-making. We have developed a multi-parameter evidence synthesis approach to estimate what are the most effective and cost-effective types of hip and knee implants for men and women of different ages undergoing total joint replacement. There are roughly 100,000 hip and 100,000 knee replacements performed yearly in the UK. Implants used in primary hip and knee replacements have a variety of characteristics and are offered in a wide range of prices, from £500 for the more conventional types, to more than £2,000 for more recent ones.  This talk will focus on the methods we designed and challenges we faced when implementing two economic decision models to rank the cost-effectiveness of implant types for hip and knee replacement patients.