Table 2.

Types of economic analysis included in the review

Cost-consequences analysis (CCA): compares costs and multiple measures of patient outcome of alternatives under evaluation. Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA): compares costs and outcomes of alternatives using a single primary measure of patient outcome (e.g. life-years gained; cases of disease avoided; improvements in clinical functioning; improvements in quality of care experience). Cost-utility analysis (CUA): compares costs and outcomes of alternatives with outcomes measured as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. Cost-benefit analysis (CBA): compares costs and outcomes of alternatives, with patient outcomes valued monetarily. Cost-analysis (CA): costs implications only of relevant alternatives evaluated with no consideration of impact on quality of care and patient outcomes (not strictly a full economic evaluation).