Jachuck et al. (1982) report on an analysis of a certain drug designed to reduce
ID: 127820 • Letter: J
Question
Jachuck et al. (1982) report on an analysis of a certain drug designed to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure). Such hypotensive drugs are frequently effective but are also linked to side-effects like irritability, a decline in energy, and a loss of sexual interest. Seventy-five patients with mild hypertension were put on hypotensive drugs and their progress was monitored by doctors and relatives (typically spouses). Suppose that everyone agrees that the quality weight for hypertension is q = 0.8. That is, one year spent with mild hypertension is equivalent to 0.8 years of full health.
1. Suppose that everyone agrees that the quality weight for hypotensive therapy is q = 0.6, which is less than the quality weight for living with hypertension (q = 0.8). And we know that hypotensive therapy costs more than no treatment. Can we conclude that hypotensive therapy is dominated? What other information would we need? When would we conclude that hypotensive treatment is not dominated?
Explanation / Answer
1. The quality-adjusted life year or quality-adjusted life-year is a measure of disease burden, including both the quality and the quantity of life lived by an individual.
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