Diagnosing idiopathic learning disability: a cost-effectiveness analysis of microarray technology in the National Health Service of the United Kingdom |
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Authors: | Wordsworth Sarah Buchanan James Regan Regina Davison Val Smith Kim Dyer Sara Campbell Carolyn Blair Edward Maher Eddy Taylor Jenny Knight Samantha J L |
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Affiliation: | (1) Health Economics Research Centre, Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK;(2) Oxford Genetics Knowledge Park, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK;(3) Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK;(4) West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK;(5) Oxford Regional Cytogenetics Laboratory, Oxford, UK;(6) South East Scotland Cytogenetics Laboratory, Edinburgh, UK;(7) Department of Clinical Genetics, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK |
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Abstract: | Array based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) is a powerful technique for detecting clinically relevant genome imbalance and can offer 40 to > 1000 times the resolution of karyotyping. Indeed, idiopathic learning disability (ILD) studies suggest that a genome-wide aCGH approach makes 10-15% more diagnoses involving genome imbalance than karyotyping. Despite this, aCGH has yet to be implemented as a routine NHS service. One significant obstacle is the perception that the technology is prohibitively expensive for most standard NHS clinical cytogenetics laboratories. To address this, we investigated the cost-effectiveness of aCGH versus standard cytogenetic analysis for diagnosing idiopathic learning disability (ILD) in the NHS. Cost data from four participating genetics centres were collected and analysed. In a single test comparison, the average cost of aCGH was pound442 and the average cost of karyotyping was pound117 with array costs contributing most to the cost difference. This difference was not a key barrier when the context of follow up diagnostic tests was considered. Indeed, in a hypothetical cohort of 100 ILD children, aCGH was found to cost less per diagnosis ( pound3,118) than a karyotyping and multi-telomere FISH approach ( pound4,957). We conclude that testing for genomic imbalances in ILD using microarray technology is likely to be cost-effective because long-term savings can be made regardless of a positive (diagnosis) or negative result. Earlier diagnoses save costs of additional diagnostic tests. Negative results are cost-effective in minimising follow-up test choice. The use of aCGH in routine clinical practice warrants serious consideration by healthcare providers. |
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Keywords: | Microarrays Comparative genomic hybridisation Cost-effectiveness Learning disability |
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