Abstract
The risks and benefits of postexposure rabies prophylaxis were analyzed from clinical and economic perspectives. A decision-analytic model was constructed by using probability and outcome data from the literature and the state health department. Health outcomes were measured in quality-adjusted life years. In the base case (overweight adult male), treatment is optimal when the probability of animal rabidity is greater than 1 in 2000. Sensitivity analysis showed robustness in the treatment decision; however, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio ($140 000/quality-adjusted life year) is sensitive to the rabidity probability. Treatment is optimal from the patient's perspective; however, it may not be cost-effective when the probability of rabidity is low.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1144-1148 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | American journal of public health |
| Volume | 84 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1994 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health