OBJECTIVES: Over the decades, low back pain (LBP) has emerged as a serious health concern. According to WHO statistics 80% of individuals will experience at least one episode of LBP at some point throughout their lifetime. This present study aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of Etodolac and Aceclofenac in LBP.

METHODS:

A prospective observational study was conducted on 96 outpatients in Orthopedics department in KMCT Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode. Patients were divided into two groups at random, group one received Etodolac 400mg, and the second group received Aceclofenac 100mg. In order to compare the effectiveness of the two groups, visual analogue scale (VAS) parameter was employed. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated using the incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER). Using the data collected from respondents, the ICER was determined during the initial visit, followed by the first and second reviews.

RESULTS:

The study population was categorized based on the age(age group 51-60, 15 & 16 patients taken Etodolac and Aceclofenac), gender(from 63 female patients, 25 & 38 patients taken Etodolac and Aceclofenac, in 45 male patients, 29 & 16 patients taken Etodolac and Aceclofenac), educational qualification, occupation, BMI, social habits, socioeconomic status. For the economic evaluation, both clinical and cost data were assessed in patients taken either Etodolac and Aceclofenac. The total cost for treatment with Etodolac and Aceclofenac is 2834.77 and 1918.79 respectively. Mean difference in the effect and cost was found to be -2.46 and Rs 915.98. The calculated ICER was -106.51 and we found that Etodolac was most cost effective drug than Aceclofenac.

CONCLUSIONS:

Taken together, our results suggests that Etodolac is more cost-effective drug than Aceclofenac for the treatment of low back pain. Etodolac 400 mg OD is more expensive but provides better therapeutic effect, well tolerated relief from low back pain, and has prominent analgesic activity when compared to Aceclofenac 100 mg BD.