Health economic evaluations of myasthenia gravis: a systematic review.

AIM: To systematically review the latest pharmacoeconomic evidence regarding the costs associated with myasthenia gravis (MG) care and treatment.

METHODS

We searched the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database and PubMed for articles in English from any country reporting health economic analyses of pharmacological treatments, hospitalization, or surgical procedures related to MG.

RESULTS

The study included 31 articles showing a considerable variability in the costs and cost-effectiveness of MG treatments across regions, therapies, and health care settings. Traditional therapies such as plasma exchange (PLEX) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) differ notably in cost, with PLEX generally being less expensive. Newer clinically effective treatments such as efgartigimod and eculizumab raise concerns about their economic sustainability, whereas rituximab might be a more affordable alternative in certain contexts.

CONCLUSION

Future research should compare cost-effectiveness across health care systems, incorporating local pricing and reimbursement, and collecting real-world data.