Table 10 CHEERS checklist

Title and abstract

Title

Q1

Identify the study as an economic evaluation or use more specific terms such as “cost-effectiveness analysis,” and describe the interventions compared

Yes

p1, line 1

Abstract

Q2

Provide a structured summary of objectives, perspective, setting, methods (including study design and inputs), results (including base case and uncertainty analyses), and conclusions

Yes

p2, lines 4–23

Introduction

Background and objectives

Q3

Provide an explicit statement of the broader context for the study. Present the study question and its relevance to health policy or practice decisions

Yes

p3 lines 15–22

Methods

Target population and subgroups

Q4

Describe the characteristics of the base case population and subgroups analysed, including why they were chosen

Yes

p6 lines 3–4

Setting and location

Q5

State relevant aspects of the system(s) in which the decision(s) need(s) to be made

Yes

p6 line 3

Study perspective

Q6

Describe the perspective of the study and relate this to the costs being evaluated

Yes

p7 line 11–14

Comparators

Q7

Describe the interventions or strategies being compared and state why they were chosen

Yes

p6, line 6–9

Time horizon

Q8

State the time horizon(s) over which costs and consequences are being evaluated and say why appropriate

Yes

p6 line 1

Discount rate

Q9

Report the choice of discount rate(s) used for costs and outcomes and say why appropriate

Yes

p8 line 21–24

Choice of health outcomes

Q10

Describe what outcomes were used as the measure(s) of benefit in the evaluation and their relevance for the type of analysis performed

Yes

p8 line 17

Measurement of effectiveness

Q11a

Single study-based estimates: Describe fully the design features of the single effectiveness study and why the single study was a sufficient source of clinical effectiveness data

Yes

Q11b

Synthesis-based estimates: Describe fully the methods used for identification of included studies and synthesis of clinical effectiveness data

p8 line 12–16

Measurement and valuation of preference-based outcomes

Q12

If applicable, describe the population and methods used to elicit preferences for outcomes

Yes

N/A

Estimating resources and costs

Q13a

Single study-based economic evaluation: Describe approaches used to estimate resource use associated with alternative interventions. Describe primary or secondary research methods for valuing each resource item regarding its unit cost. Describe any adjustments made to approximate to opportunity costs

Yes

p7 line 20- p8 line 7

Q13b

Model-based economic evaluation: Describe approaches and data sources used to estimate resource use associated with model health states. Describe primary or secondary research methods for valuing each resource item regarding its unit cost. Describe any adjustments made to approximate to opportunity costs

Currency, price date, and conversion

Q14

Report the dates of the estimated resource quantities and unit costs. Describe methods for adjusting estimated unit costs to the year of reported costs if necessary. Describe methods for converting costs into a common currency base and the exchange rate

Yes

p8 line 8–10

Choice of model

Q15

Describe and give reasons for the specific type of decision-analytical model used. Providing a figure to show the model structure is strongly recommended

Yes

p7 line 2–3

Assumptions

Q16

Describe all structural or other assumptions underpinning the decision-analytical model

Yes

p7 line 5–9

Analytical method

Q17

Describe all analytical methods supporting the evaluation. This could include methods for dealing with skewed, missing, or censored data; extrapolation methods; methods for pooling data; approaches to validate or make adjustments (such as half-cycle corrections) to a model; and methods for handling population heterogeneity and uncertainty

Yes

p7 line 17–19

Results

Study parameters

Q18

Report the values, ranges, references, and, if used, probability distributions for all parameters. Report reasons or sources for distributions used to represent uncertainty where appropriate. Providing a table to show the input values is strongly recommended

Yes

Table 2

Incremental costs and outcomes

Q19

For each intervention, the report means values for the main categories of estimated costs and outcomes of interest, as well as mean differences between the comparator groups. If applicable, report incremental cost-effectiveness ratios

Yes

Table 3

Characterizing uncertainty

Q20a

Single study-based economic evaluation: Describe the effects of sampling uncertainty for the estimated incremental cost and incremental effectiveness parameters, together with the impact of methodological assumptions (such as discount rate, study perspective)

Yes

b

Model-based economic evaluation: Describe the effects on the results of uncertainty for all input parameters, and uncertainty related to the structure of the model and assumptions

Yes

p11 lines 7–14, p12 lines 4–10

Characterizing heterogeneity

Q21

If applicable, report differences in costs, outcomes, or cost-effectiveness that can be explained by variations between subgroups of patients with different baseline characteristics or other observed variability in effects that are not reducible by more information

Yes

p10 lines 13–18

Conclusion

Study findings, limitations, generalizability, and current knowledge

Q22

Summarize key study findings and describe how they support the conclusions reached. Discuss limitations and the generalizability of the findings and how the findings fit with current knowledge

Yes

p14 lines 4–13, p15 lines 1–6

Source of funding

Q23

Describe how the study was funded and the role of the funder in the identification, design, conduct, and reporting of the analysis. Describe other non-monetary sources of support

Yes

p19 lines 17–18

Conflicts of interest

Q24

Describe any potential for conflict of interest of study contributors in accordance with journal policy. In the absence of journal policy, we recommend authors comply with the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors recommendations

Yes

p19 line 15