Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Active Surveillance Strategies for Men with Low-risk Prostate Cancer(Figure presented.)

Abstract

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has become the recommended management strategy for men with low-risk prostate cancer. However, there is considerable uncertainty about the optimal follow-up schedule in terms of the tests to perform and their frequency. Objective: To assess the costs and benefits of different AS follow-up strategies compared to watchful waiting (WW) or immediate treatment. Design, setting, and participants: A state-transition Markov model was developed to simulate the natural history (ie, no testing or intervention) of prostate cancer for a hypothetical cohort of 50-yr-old men newly diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer. Following diagnosis, men were hypothetically mana..