TY - JOUR
T1 - Cost-Effectiveness of Venom Immunotherapy in Preventing Severe Bee and Wasp Sting Reactions
AU - Sturm, Gunter
AU - Bilò, Maria Beatrice
AU - Vidal, Carmen
AU - Oude Elberink, Joanna N.G.
AU - Schmitt, Jochen
AU - Slættanes, Andreas Kallsoy
AU - Jakob, Thilo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s). Allergy published by European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2025/12/18
Y1 - 2025/12/18
N2 - Background: Systemic sting reactions (SSRs) from bee and wasp stings can cause severe symptoms, including anaphylaxis and potentially lead to fatal outcomes. These reactions can significantly affect individuals' daily lives due to the fear and anxiety associated with the risk of stings. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) has been shown to be an effective preventive treatment for SSRs, offering a viable alternative to emergency treatments like adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs).Methods: We created a decision tree framework with a Danish payer perspective designed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of VIT with Alutard® SQ in individuals with bee and/or wasp venom allergies. Input in the model was identified from a structured literature review and expert consensus. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of Hymenoptera venom depot immunotherapy (HVDI) compared to AAIs over a 10-year time horizon was estimated. The impact of uncertainty associated with key assumptions was investigated using univariate deterministic sensitivity analyses (DSA).Results: In the base case, the incremental cost of HVDI was €7428, while the incremental quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained were 0.48. Consequently, the ICER (cost per QALY) of HVDI compared to AAIs after 10 years was estimated at €15,550.Conclusion: VIT is a cost-effective treatment for the prevention of severe reactions to wasp and/or bee stings when compared to AAIs.
AB - Background: Systemic sting reactions (SSRs) from bee and wasp stings can cause severe symptoms, including anaphylaxis and potentially lead to fatal outcomes. These reactions can significantly affect individuals' daily lives due to the fear and anxiety associated with the risk of stings. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) has been shown to be an effective preventive treatment for SSRs, offering a viable alternative to emergency treatments like adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs).Methods: We created a decision tree framework with a Danish payer perspective designed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of VIT with Alutard® SQ in individuals with bee and/or wasp venom allergies. Input in the model was identified from a structured literature review and expert consensus. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of Hymenoptera venom depot immunotherapy (HVDI) compared to AAIs over a 10-year time horizon was estimated. The impact of uncertainty associated with key assumptions was investigated using univariate deterministic sensitivity analyses (DSA).Results: In the base case, the incremental cost of HVDI was €7428, while the incremental quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained were 0.48. Consequently, the ICER (cost per QALY) of HVDI compared to AAIs after 10 years was estimated at €15,550.Conclusion: VIT is a cost-effective treatment for the prevention of severe reactions to wasp and/or bee stings when compared to AAIs.
KW - immunotherapy vaccines and mechanisms
KW - quality of life
KW - venom and insect allergy
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105025241603
U2 - 10.1111/all.70176
DO - 10.1111/all.70176
M3 - Article
C2 - 41410197
AN - SCOPUS:105025241603
SN - 0105-4538
JO - Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
JF - Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
ER -