When comparing four treatments for recurrent Clostridium difficile, researchers found fecal microbiota transplant colonoscopies may be the most cost effective, according to a study in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Researchers examined the cost and effectiveness of three antibiotics — metronidazole, vancomycin and fidaxomicin — and FMT to determine the cost-effectiveness of each one. They set a "willingness-to-pay" price threshold at $50,000 per quality-adjusted life-year.
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Researchers found FMT's cure rate was greater than 88.4 percent and its associated recurrence rate was less than 14.9 percent. FMT had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $17,016 relative to oral vancomycin.
Researchers concluded FMT is the most cost-effective initial treatment for recurrent C. diff.
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