Early screening to prevent preeclampsia and save money: A win-win
Cost-effectiveness analysis of a model of first-trimester prediction and prevention of preterm pre-eclampsia compared with usual care
This Australian-based study examined the potential health outcomes and cost implications following the introduction of a first-trimester intervention screening for preterm preeclampsia, comparing it to usual care, in 6822 women between 2015-2016. “Usual care” consisted of women being initially screened by general practitioners, and initiation of aspirin 100 mg daily from 12 weeks’ of pregnancy until delivery in those deemed to be high-risk. The study intervention added biomarkers to screening for aneuploidy (baby having one or more extra or missing chromosomes) at the 11-13 weeks prenatal visit. Women then deemed high-risk were immediately prescribed aspirin 150mg daily until 36 weeks’ gestation. The intervention resulted in 31 fewer cases of preeclampsia and lower health costs ($1,431,186 Australian dollars) over the study period.
Take home message: This study shows strong evidence for first-trimester prediction and prevention of preterm preeclampsia that could be considered for guideline recommendations. Application of this screening in a large, modern US research cohort would provide even more evidence to support this strategy in clinical implementation.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32851709/
About Research Roundup
Each quarter, our team of researchers reviews the most current studies related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and selects those studies they feel will be of greatest interest to our community to summarize.
Special thanks to our volunteer research team, who under the leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Sutton, make Research Roundup possible: Alisse Hauspurg, MD Felicia LeMoine, MD Jenny Sones, PhD, DVM, and Robin Trupp, PhD, RN.
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