To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the digital symptom checker 'Flo SC' for endometriosis compared to standard care.
Key Findings:
Flo SC reduced diagnostic delay by 4.36 years, significantly impacting patient outcomes.
Generated an incremental QALY gain of 0.049 per person, indicating improved quality of life.
Saved $5196.22 in costs per patient, highlighting economic benefits.
Produced an incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) of $10,089.00 at a $100,000/QALY threshold, suggesting strong cost-effectiveness.
Probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed robustness with an INMB of $12,398.92 (95% CI: $11,893.11–$12,904.72), reinforcing the reliability of the findings.
Interpretation:
The digital symptom checker for endometriosis is likely to be a cost-effective strategy, providing both health benefits and cost savings compared to standard care, which could lead to improved healthcare system efficiency.
Limitations:
The model's assumptions may not fully capture real-world complexities, particularly regarding patient behavior.
Findings are based on a specific digital SC and may not generalize to other tools or populations.
Conclusion:
This study provides the first economic evaluation of a digital SC for endometriosis, highlighting its potential value in improving early diagnosis and reducing healthcare costs, which is crucial for addressing the high burden of this condition.
