An economic evaluation of the MultICath randomised controlled trial, comparing combined use of reusable and single-use intermittent catheters to single-use catheters only.

objectivesWidespread adoption of single-use intermittent catheters for bladder drainage has led to increased costs and environmental waste. Reusable catheters could reduce both. The MultICath study showed that combined reusable and single-use catheters (Mixed-use) was non-inferior to single-use catheters for urinary tract infection and quality of life, but the economic impact is unknown. We aim to determine whether Mixed-use is cost-effective compared to Single-use only.

methodsCost-utility and cost-consequence analyses were conducted alongside MultICath. The analysis took the United Kingdom payer perspective, using individual patient-level data of the 578 randomised (1:1) trial participants over 12 months. Costs included catheter and cleaning costs, antibiotic costs, and health-related visit costs. Outcomes were measured in quality adjusted life years (QALYs), estimated from EQ-5D-5L data. Incremental, sensitivity, and scenario analyses were conducted.

resultsMixed-use participants used on average 902 (95% CI 755.13; 1049.31) fewer single-use catheters per annum than Single-use participants. Mixed-use was cost-effective in all analyses. Base-case annual incremental cost savings were -£1348.82 (95% CI -1939.98; -757.65) whilst incremental QALYs were negligible (-0.001; [-0.026; 0.024]). These estimates produced a positive net monetary benefit of £1328.82 at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000. The probability of Mixed-use being cost-effective was never below 96.6%. The primary limitation was differential withdrawal rates between groups, accounted for in sensitivity analyses.

conclusionsMixed-use is cost-effective for the UK National Health Service, and provision of reusable catheters should be considered. These findings are also relevant for other health services worldwide with high single-use catheter costs.