Economic analysis of treatment of functional dyspepsia. An assessment of the quality of published studies.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to assess the quality of economic analysis studies published in the medical and economical literature assessing the clinical management of functional dyspepsia.

METHODS

Bibliographic search in the main biomedical databases, in articles from bibliographic references, health technology assessment reports, and in gray literature. A specific protocol with economic and clinical items was designed for the evaluation.

RESULTS

Overall, 18 of 162 studies met the inclusion criteria for the assessment. The compared treatment options were very diverse. The main methodologic deficiencies were in perspective of analysis, inclusion of indirect costs, and sources of clinical information.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific checklists with clinical and economical items may help to better assess the quality of economic analysis in the field of functional dyspepsia. The methodologic rigor in the application of economic analysis techniques, as well as the use of appropriate clinical outcome measures, is essential to guarantee the reproducibility of the studies.