An economic evaluation of immediate vs non-immediate activation of emergency medical services after epinephrine use for peanut-induced anaphylaxis

Marcus Shaker, Tsuzumi Kanaoka, Lynn Feenan, Matthew Greenhawt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Layperson food allergy management plans commonly stipulate that if epinephrine is used to immediately call 911 and seek care in the nearest medical facility for observation. Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this strategy, vs a watchful waiting approach before activating emergency medical services (EMS). Methods: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using Markov modeling simulated over a 20-year horizon comparing activating EMS immediately after epinephrine use for allergic reactions to peanut vs a “wait and see” approach in which EMS was only activated if symptoms of the reaction did not promptly resolve after treatment. The base-case model assumed a 10-fold increased fatality risk with delayed EMS activation. Results: The fatality risk associated with early EMS use was minimal, with a per-patient fatality rate over a 20-year horizon of 1.2 × 10−6, vs 1.9 × 10−6 for a wait and see approach. The incremental cost per life-year saved was $142,943,447 for early EMS vs wait and see, with the cost per death prevented reaching $1,349,335,651 as the simulation concluded. Cost of early EMS activation rose to $321,625,534 per life-year saved ($3,035,454,848 per death prevented) if a 5-fold increase in fatality risk was assumed, and was $12,997,173 per life-year saved ($122,689,936 per death prevented) if a 100-fold increase in fatality risk was assumed. Conclusion: Medical observation of a treated and promptly resolved peanut allergic reaction has minimal benefit and excessive costs. Immediately activating EMS after using epinephrine for a peanut allergic reaction in this context is not cost-effective.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)79-85
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Volume122
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2019
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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