OBJECTIVES: To identify and compare available tools for the quality evaluation of health economic analysis (HEA).

METHODS: We conducted a scoping review to identify tools for the critical appraisal of full HEA, including cost-effectiveness, cost-utility and cost-benefit analysis. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, in January 2023, using terms such as "economic evaluation" and "critical appraisal". Tool characteristics, questions and/or recommendations for the evaluation of HEA were extracted using standardized forms. Each statement was categorized into pre-specified domains based on the topics they addressed. The review protocol is available online (doi 10.17605/OSF.IO/6R3CG).

RESULTS: The search yielded 2120 references from which we identified 20 eligible tools. Of these, five were developed for a specific clinical context, such as pediatric diseases or plastic surgery. Only two tools specified that they were intended to evaluate cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis, while others could be used for the evaluation of any type of HEA. Tools were structured as checklists, with yes-or-no or simple answer questions, ranging between 7 and 80 items. In total, we extracted 618 evaluation questions. Modeling parameters and quality of reporting were the most common aspects addressed. Fifteen tools did not provide a clear explanation for the criteria that should be considered in each evaluation question.

CONCLUSIONS: There is an important variability among tools in terms of their structure and components, and many of them assess not only methodological quality but also reporting. We observed a lack of guidance on how to properly apply most of these tools. The results of this scoping review will be used as part of the process to develop a new, comprehensive tool for the critical appraisal of cost-effectiveness studies.