OBJECTIVES : To compare the treatment costs of three gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), leuprolide 11.25 mg 3-month (3M) depot, leuprolide 3.75 mg 1-month (1M) depot and triptorelin 3.75mg 1-month (1M) depot, as therapy for central precocious puberty (CPP) children in China.

METHODS : A 4-year cost-minimization model was developed from the societal perspective. Direct medical costs (drug costs, registration fees, injection fees and examination fees), direct non-medical cost (transportation and accommodation cost) and indirect costs (loss of salary for parents or other families) were analyzed. The main data sources were published literatures and physician survey. One-way sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the uncertainty and result robustness.

RESULTS : Compared to patients with leuprolide-1M and triptorelin-1M, those with leuprolide-3M was associated with 29.6 fewer injections and related hospital visits over 4 years per patient. Patients with leuprolide-3M saved a total cost of ¥17103.91 compared to patients with leuprolide-1M, including the savings of ¥380.09 (2.2%) in direct medical cost, ¥10684.96 (62.5%) in direct non-medical cost, and ¥6038.87 (35.3%) in indirect cost. Additionally, patients with leuprolide-3M saved a total cost of ¥14533.13 compared to patients with triptorelin-1M, including an incremental direct medical cost of ¥2190.69, a savings of ¥10684.96 in direct non-medical cost, and a savings of ¥6038.87 in indirect cost. The key driver of sensitivity analyses is the unit cost of leuprolide-3M.

CONCLUSIONS : Using leuprolide-3M is a cost-saving strategy compared to leuprolide-1M and triptorelin-1M from the societal perspective in China. Besides the difference in direct treatment costs, less injection frequency of leuprolide-3M also reduces injection-related direct non-medical and indirect costs.