Health Savings Impact of Multivitamin Supplementation in Taiwan: A Dementia Risk Reduction Economic Model
Author(s)
Ker Ro Joyce Toh, MSc1, Jas Min Tan, MPharm1, Khee Suan Bang, MBA2, Sirinthip Petcharapiruch, MSc3, Supitchaya Changsatja, MSc3, Sheryl Tan, PhD4, Jerry Lin, MSc4, Melody Huang, MSc5, Vandana Garg, MBBS4.
1IQVIA, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 2IQVIA, Singapore, Singapore, 3IQVIA, Bangkok, Thailand, 4Haleon Pte. Ltd, Singapore, Singapore, 5Haleon, Taiwan, Taiwan.
1IQVIA, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 2IQVIA, Singapore, Singapore, 3IQVIA, Bangkok, Thailand, 4Haleon Pte. Ltd, Singapore, Singapore, 5Haleon, Taiwan, Taiwan.
OBJECTIVES: Taiwan faces significant healthcare burdens due to the rising prevalence of dementia as it transitions into a super-aged society. This study evaluates the potential population health and economic impacts of regular multivitamin supplementation in reducing dementia risk among Taiwanese adults aged 60 and above, utilizing real-world evidence and national-reported data.
METHODS: A population-based health economic model was developed to project health and economic outcomes over 10 years (2024-2033), comparing no multivitamin uptake versus regular multivitamin use. Intake assumptions were informed by a nationally representative nutrition survey in Taiwan, which found 45.3% of elderly men and 24.7% of elderly women were regular supplement users. The study focused on the remaining non-user segment—54.7% of men and 75.3% of women—who currently do not take multivitamins. Epidemiological inputs, direct medical/non-medical costs, caregiver productivity loss, and multivitamin efficacy parameters were sourced from national databases, published literature, and local expert validation. Efficacies were derived from randomized controlled trial and meta-analyses of cognitive studies, translating Mini-Mental State Examination improvements into relative risk reductions for dementia. Sensitivity and scenario analyses assessed robustness.
RESULTS: Introducing regular multivitamin use among current non-users could prevent 204,250 dementia cases and 23,649 premature deaths over a decade. Associated quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained were approximately 407,910, averaging 0.087 QALYs per person. Economically, population-wide uptake was projected to generate savings of NT$1.41 trillion (≈£34.4 billion), driven by reduced healthcare, long-term care, and informal caregiving costs. Sensitivity analyses identified multivitamin efficacy and dementia-related direct costs as critical drivers, yet scenario analyses yielded consistent results.
CONCLUSIONS: Real-world evidence modelling demonstrates significant potential health and economic benefits of multivitamin supplementation in Taiwan’s elderly population. This analysis highlights multivitamins as a promising, cost-saving public health intervention for dementia prevention, warranting integration into national aging and nutrition policy frameworks.
METHODS: A population-based health economic model was developed to project health and economic outcomes over 10 years (2024-2033), comparing no multivitamin uptake versus regular multivitamin use. Intake assumptions were informed by a nationally representative nutrition survey in Taiwan, which found 45.3% of elderly men and 24.7% of elderly women were regular supplement users. The study focused on the remaining non-user segment—54.7% of men and 75.3% of women—who currently do not take multivitamins. Epidemiological inputs, direct medical/non-medical costs, caregiver productivity loss, and multivitamin efficacy parameters were sourced from national databases, published literature, and local expert validation. Efficacies were derived from randomized controlled trial and meta-analyses of cognitive studies, translating Mini-Mental State Examination improvements into relative risk reductions for dementia. Sensitivity and scenario analyses assessed robustness.
RESULTS: Introducing regular multivitamin use among current non-users could prevent 204,250 dementia cases and 23,649 premature deaths over a decade. Associated quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained were approximately 407,910, averaging 0.087 QALYs per person. Economically, population-wide uptake was projected to generate savings of NT$1.41 trillion (≈£34.4 billion), driven by reduced healthcare, long-term care, and informal caregiving costs. Sensitivity analyses identified multivitamin efficacy and dementia-related direct costs as critical drivers, yet scenario analyses yielded consistent results.
CONCLUSIONS: Real-world evidence modelling demonstrates significant potential health and economic benefits of multivitamin supplementation in Taiwan’s elderly population. This analysis highlights multivitamins as a promising, cost-saving public health intervention for dementia prevention, warranting integration into national aging and nutrition policy frameworks.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD257
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
STA: Nutrition