Cost-effectiveness analysis of beta-blockers vs endoscopic surveillance in patients with cirrhosis and small varices

Table 1 Main clinical data of patients in strategy group 1 compared to patients in strategy group 2

	Strategy 1 patients	Strategy 2 patients		P value
	(n = 83)	(n = 78)
Age (yr)	56 ± 9	57 ± 9	t = 1,26	0.21
Sex (M/F)	45/38	38/40	χ2 = 0.49	0.48
Aetiology (alcohol-related/viral/other)	47/34/2	45/28/5	χ2 = 0.02	0.89
Hepatitis B surface antigen positive	4	3	corrχ2 = 0.01	0.93
Time since diagnosis of cirrhosis (yr)	3.1 ± 2.7	2.9 ± 2.8	t = 0.282	0.78
Time since diagnosis of varices (mo)	2.9 ± 2.4	2.8 ± 2.5	t = 0.022	0.98
Child-Pugh score	6 (IQR: 5-8)	7 (IQR: 6-8)	Z = - 0.87	0.38
Ascites	18	23	χ2 = 1.29	0.26
Follow-up time (mo)	36 ± 18	35 ± 15	t = 0.325	0.75

M: Male; F: Female.

Table 2 Model variables: Baseline values

Variables	Baseline assumption
	12 mo	24 mo	36 mo	48 mo
Strategy 1 group
Intolerance to nadolol	4.8%	2.9%	0.0%	2.5%
Death	0.0%	4.5%	12.3%	7.7%
Lost to follow-up	10.1%	7.5%	12.3%	23.1%
Esophageal hemorrhage	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Variceal growth	2.8%	3.4%	7.0%	0.0%
Strategy 2 group:
Death	1.3%	0.0%	15.6%	14.3%
Lost to follow-up	6.4%	6.7%	11.1%	21.2%
Esophageal hemorrhage	1.3%	1.7%	0.0%	0.0%
Variceal growth	15.5%	18.2%	15.2%	16.7%