OBJECTIVES: Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) is a common condition that presents with congestion and feeling of fullness in the nasal cavity. Chronic NAO presents a significant economic burden and current treatments for NAO can be invasive and costly. The objective of this study is to determine the budget impact of a non-invasive temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) device for the treatment of NAO.

METHODS: A budget impact model with a 4-year time horizon including treatment, monitoring, medical resource use and adverse event costs was developed. The eligible population was severe/extreme NAO, defined as a NOSE score ≥ 55, for which nasal valve collapse (NVC) is the primary cause or a significant contributor. The budget impact was calculated for two scenarios: a reference scenario of functional rhinoplasty (nasal valve repair) with inferior turbinate reduction (ITR) performed in the hospital outpatient department, which reflects current clinical practice where TCRF is not available as a treatment option. The new scenario reflects treatment of the nasal valve and inferior turbinates with a TCRF device and an ITR at an in-office setting. Uncertainty within the model structure and input parameters was assessed using one-way sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis.

RESULTS: Over the 4-year time-horizon, the net budget impact showed that the introduction of the device is likely to provide cost-savings due to reductions in the number of surgeries in addition to costs avoided from resolving complications and the lower procedure cost of the device relative to surgical comparators. Cost savings were also estimated when standard of care represented a mix of surgical interventions and medical management. The results were robust when varying parameter values in sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this budget impact analysis suggest a non-invasive TCRF device for severe/extreme NAO is likely to provide cost savings over current treatment options while potentially improving outcomes.