Cost-effectiveness of FRAX®-based intervention thresholds for management of osteoporosis in Indian women: a Markov microsimulation model analysis

A cost-effectiveness analysis of FRAX® intervention thresholds (ITs) in Indian women over 50 years indicated that generic alendronate was cost-effective for age-dependent major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) ITs and hip fracture (HF) ITs starting at ages 60 and 65 years for full and real-world adherence, respectively. Alendronate was cost-effective at fixed MOF IT of 14% and HF IT of 3.5%, regardless of age.

Osteoporosis represents a significant public health challenge in India, with an increasing economic burden due to the aging population. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of using fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX®)–based intervention thresholds (ITs) for managing osteoporosis with generic alendronate in Indian women.

A Markov microsimulation model, adapted to the Indian healthcare context, was used to simulate the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with different treatment strategies. The one-time gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (estimated at INR 1,97,468/QALY gained) was used as the cost-effectiveness threshold.

The model revealed that generic alendronate is cost-effective for major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) ITs beginning at age 60 years with full adherence—incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of INR 102,151 per QALY gained, and age 65 with real-world adherence—ICER of INR 28,203 per QALY gained (conversion rate used is 1 US dollar (USD) = INR 83.97 and 1 EURO = INR 92.70). Hip fracture (HF) ITs showed similar cost-effectiveness at ages 60 (ICER of INR 67,144) and was the dominant strategy (i.e., more QALYs for lower costs) at ≥ 65 years. Fixed ITs of 14% for MOF and 3.5% for HF proved cost-effective across all age groups (dominant strategy for ages ≥ 65 years). Limitations of our study include the reliance on fracture incidence data from Singaporean Indians and variability in fracture prevalence across India.

The results support the integration of FRAX®-based fixed ITs from the age of 50 years and age-based ones from the age of 65 years in India to optimize resource allocation and improve osteoporosis management.