Lévaluation économique en santé a pour objectif dévaluer la rentabilité relative dactions de santé en comparant leurs implications en termes de coûts et leurs résultats. Cette discipline occupe une place croissante dans la prise de décisions de santé publique et est essentielle pour maintenir un système de soins de santé de qualité et accessible à tous. Son rôle devrait se renforcer dans le futur en raison des progrès constants de la médecine, de la limitation des budgets de santé publique et de la régulation accrue du secteur de la santé. Ces dernières années, lostéoporose est devenue un véritable problème de santé publique. Cette maladie chronique se caractérise par une diminution de la masse osseuse et une détérioration de la micro-architecture du tissu osseux, conduisant à une fragilité osseuse accrue et à une augmentation du risque de fracture. Les fractures liées à lostéoporose sont responsables dune morbidité élevée, dun excès de mortalité et elles imposent un poids financier considérable à la société. Les dépenses de santé dévolues à cette maladie sont consacrées principalement à la prévention, au diagnostic et au traitement de lostéoporose et de ses conséquences. Dans un souci de rationaliser les décisions de santé publique, il est indispensable dallouer efficacement les ressources disponibles. Dans cette perspective, lévaluation économique de stratégies de prise en charge de lostéoporose savère un outil de première importance pour aider les preneurs de décisions à optimiser leurs choix. Tel est lobjet de la présente thèse qui se décompose en quatre parties. La première partie se consacre au développement et à la validation dun modèle innovant de microsimulation de Markov. Cette technique de modélisation permet de représenter la complexité de lostéoporose avec un niveau élevé de précision, de manière à garantir la fiabilité des résultats. La deuxième partie a pour objectif dévaluer la rentabilité économique de stratégies de dépistage de lostéoporose et de fournir un ensemble de recommandations pour accroître leur efficience. La troisième partie sintéresse à lévaluation économique de nouveaux traitements de lostéoporose (le ranélate de strontium et le dénosumab). Il est important dévaluer si les améliorations de santé, générées par ces traitements, sont obtenues à un coût raisonnable. La quatrième partie étudie spécifiquement les implications cliniques et économiques de la faible adhérence des patients aux traitements actuels contre lostéoporose. Les informations contenues dans cette thèse ont pour objectif daider les preneurs de décisions à allouer efficacement les ressources financières consacrées à lostéoporose. Elles peuvent également savérer utiles pour sensibiliser la population générale, le corps médical et les autorités de santé publique à limportance du dépistage de lostéoporose et dun suivi adéquat ainsi quaux rôles et aux enjeux de lévaluation économique dans le processus décisionnel dans le secteur de la santé. Health economic evaluation is a method for evaluating the value for money of medical technologies by comparing alternative options in terms of their costs and consequences. This method is frequently used to inform decision makers about how to allocate scarce resources. Economic evaluation has become increasingly important nowadays, with the increasing health care expenditures, the rapid introduction of new medical technologies, and the extending role of economic evaluations in health care decision making. Osteoporosis becomes an increasingly major health problem around the world. It is a disease characterized by low bone mass with microarchitectural disruption and increased skeletal fragility, leading to increased fracture risk. Osteoporotic fractures result in significant morbidity and mortality, and impose a huge financial burden on health care systems. Financial resources are used to prevent, diagnose and treat osteoporosis. These resources must be allocated in an efficient manner. The general purpose of this thesis is therefore to contribute to the economic evaluation of osteoporosis management. More specifically, this thesis is divided into four parts. The first part is devoted to the development and the validation of a new Markov microsimulation model. This modelling approach accurately encompasses the complexity of osteoporosis, increasing the reliability of the results. The second part estimates the cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis screening strategies and provides recommendations for their implementation. The third part estimates the cost-effectiveness of new anti-osteoporotic therapies (strontium ranelate and denosumab). It is important to assess whether new drugs represent a good value for money compared to the relevant alternatives. Finally, the last part of the thesis investigates the clinical and economic implications of non-adherence to osteoporosis medications. This thesis provides new information on the cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis management, which may be useful to inform decisions makers about resources allocation for patients with osteoporosis. The results may also be used to raise awareness among public health authorities, the medical profession and the general population regarding the burden of osteoporosis, the importance of screening and adequate follow-up, as well as to the role of economic evaluation in health care decision making.

Economic evaluations provide a tool to estimate costs and health consequences of competing medical technologies, ultimately to aid decision makers when deciding which medical technologies should be funded from available resources. Such decisions inevitably need to be taken under uncertainty and it is not clear how to approach them in health care decision-making. Recent work in economic evaluation has proposed an analytic framework where two related, but conceptually different decisions need to be considered: (1) should a medical technology be adopted given existing evidence; and (2) whether more evidence should be acquired to support the adoption decision in the future. The proposed analytic framework requires a decision-analytic model appropriately representing the clinical decision problem under consideration, a probabilistic analysis of this model in order to determine cost-effectiveness and characterise current decision uncertainty, and estimating the value of additional information from research to reduce decision uncertainty. The main aim of this thesis is to apply the analytic framework on three case studies concerning treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease in order to establish whether the treatment strategies should be adopted given current available information and if more information should be acquired to support the adoption decisions in the future. The implications for policy and methodology of utilising the analytic framework employed in the case studies are also discussed in this thesis. The results of the case studies show that a screening programme for abdominal aortic aneurysm in 65-year-old men is likely to be cost-effective in a Swedish setting and there appears to be little value in performing further research regarding this decision problem; an early interventional strategy in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome is cost-effective for patients at intermediate to high risk of further cardiac events in a UK setting; endarterectomy in patients with an asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is cost-effective for men around 73 years of age or younger in a Swedish setting and conducting further research regarding this decision problem is potentially worthwhile. Comparing the results of the present analyses with current clinical practice shows a need for changing clinical practice in Sweden regarding screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm and endarterectomy in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Furthermore, employing the analytic framework applied in the case studies can improve treatment guidelines and recommendations for further research. In particular, treatment guidelines ought to consider in which particular subgroups of patients an intervention is cost-effective. The case studies indicate that it is feasible to apply the analytic framework for economic evaluation of health care. Methodological development can improve the accuracy with which cost-effectiveness and value of information is estimated, but may also lead to comprehensive and complex evaluations. The nature of the decision problem should determine the level of comprehensiveness required for a particular evaluation.

The initial treatment options for patients with stable coronary artery disease include optimal medical therapy alone, or coronary revascularization with optimal medical therapy. The most common revascularization modality is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with either bare metal stents (BMS) or drug-eluting stents (DES). PCI is believed to reduce recurrent angina and thereby decrease the need for additional procedures compared to optimal medical therapy alone. It remains unclear if these benefits are sufficient to offset the increased costs and small increase in adverse events associated with PCI. The objectives of this thesis were to determine the degree of angina relief afforded by PCI and develop a tool to provide contemporary estimates of the impact of angina on quality of life. In addition, we sought to develop a comprehensive state-transition model, calibrated to real world costs and outcomes to compare the cost-effectiveness of initial medical therapy versus PCI with either BMS or DES in patients with stable coronary artery disease. ii We performed a systematic search and meta-analysis of the published literature. Although PCI was associated with an overall benefit on angina relief (odds ratio [OR] 1.69; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.24-2.30), this benefit was largely attenuated in contemporary studies (OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.76-1.68). Our meta-regression analysis suggests that this observation was related to greater use of evidence-based medications in more recent trials. Using simple linear regression, we were able to create a mapping tool that could accurately estimate utility weights from data on the Seattle Angina Question, the most common descriptive quality of life instrument used in the cardiovascular literature. In our economic evaluation, we found that an initial strategy of PCI with a BMS was cost- effective compared to medical therapy, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $13,271 per quality adjusted life year gained. In contrast, DES had a greater cost and lower survival than BMS and was therefore a dominated strategy.

The initial treatment options for patients with stable coronary artery disease include optimal medical therapy alone, or coronary revascularization with optimal medical therapy. The most common revascularization modality is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with either bare metal stents (BMS) or drug-eluting stents (DES). PCI is believed to reduce recurrent angina and thereby decrease the need for additional procedures compared to optimal medical therapy alone. It remains unclear if these benefits are sufficient to offset the increased costs and small increase in adverse events associated with PCI. The objectives of this thesis were to determine the degree of angina relief afforded by PCI and develop a tool to provide contemporary estimates of the impact of angina on quality of life. In addition, we sought to develop a comprehensive state-transition model, calibrated to real world costs and outcomes to compare the cost-effectiveness of initial medical therapy versus PCI with either BMS or DES in patients with stable coronary artery disease. ii We performed a systematic search and meta-analysis of the published literature. Although PCI was associated with an overall benefit on angina relief (odds ratio [OR] 1.69; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.24-2.30), this benefit was largely attenuated in contemporary studies (OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.76-1.68). Our meta-regression analysis suggests that this observation was related to greater use of evidence-based medications in more recent trials. Using simple linear regression, we were able to create a mapping tool that could accurately estimate utility weights from data on the Seattle Angina Question, the most common descriptive quality of life instrument used in the cardiovascular literature. In our economic evaluation, we found that an initial strategy of PCI with a BMS was cost- effective compared to medical therapy, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $13,271 per quality adjusted life year gained. In contrast, DES had a greater cost and lower survival than BMS and was therefore a dominated strategy.

This thesis evaluates the cost-effectiveness of eight policies expanding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in South Africa. All policies entail provider-initiated test offers for primary healthcare users and one of two options across three policy components: (i) consent method, opt-in or opt-out; (ii) test protocol, rapid only or rapid plus acute infection testing; and (iii) linkage-to-care, standard or enhanced. This thesis highlights four methodological issues. First is the challenge of conducting a population-level analysis, projecting the cost-effectiveness of expanded testing for each member of South Africa’s adult African population. To this end, I conducted a retrospective, descriptive study to measure current population-level testing rates and epidemic descriptors in an African community near Cape Town, South Africa. Second, the effects of testing expansion on current testing uptake were estimated by distinguishing testing in the study community likely to cease after testing expansion (baseline testing) from that likely to continue (background testing). Third, because testing alone is an outcome of less interest than health benefits following treatment, study community linkage-to-care probabilities were estimated and models utilized to estimate the efficacy of treatment. Fourth, the methods to convert the study community testing data into inputs for these models’ parameters are outlined. The enhanced linkage-to-care policies proved the most cost-effective, with opt-in testing and a rapid-only test protocol the least expensive cost-effective option at $848 per life year gained (LYG). Adding an opt-out consent method or acute infection test protocol to this policy increased the LYGs, but at higher cost-effectiveness ratios.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

As florestas desempenham funções econômicas, ecológicas e sociais insubstituíveis, e muito se especula e experimenta sobre a possibilidade desses recursos poderem simultaneamente gerar renda e serem conservados por meio de técnicas de exploração de impacto reduzido. No Brasil, um novo marco regulatório foi estabelecido em 2006 para ordenar o manejo de florestas públicas e os processos de concessões dessas áreas para o setor privado. Todavia, ainda não se observa redução significativa na dinâmica predatória e ilegal de exploração dessas florestas naturais, principalmente em biomas como o Amazônico. Este trabalho descreve o processo de estabelecimento e execução de um plano de manejo, os gargalos do processo e a avaliação econômica de um projeto no estado de Rondônia. A avaliação utilizou a simulação Monte Carlo e indicadores financeiros para avaliar, sob condições de aleatoriedade, o desempenho econômico do referido projeto. Conceitos baseados no valor presente líquido e na taxa interna de retorno foram aplicados para avaliar esse desempenho. Os resultados mostraram que a exploração de impacto reduzido e a venda de toras para serrarias no estado de Rondônia é viável técnica e economicamente. Em uma área de 560ha de manejo anuais e com um investimento de aproximadamente R$ 800.000,00 no início do projeto é possível obter lucro anual de R$ 150.000,00 a R$ 300.000,00 já a partir do terceiro ano. A simulação Monte Carlo mostrou que há 90% de probabilidade que o projeto tenha uma TIR maior que 13,80%. / Forests have economic, ecological and social irreplaceable functions, and much is speculated and investigated about the possibility of these resources simultaneously generate income and be preserved by means of reduced impact logging. In Brazil, a new regulatory framework was established in 2006 to regulate the management of public forests and the processes of concessions in these areas to the private sector. Since then no significant reduction in the dynamics of predatory and illegal exploitation of these natural forests has been observed yet, particularly in biomes like the Amazon. This paper describes the process of submitting and implementing a forest management plan, refers to obstacles of the process and presents an economic evaluation of a real project in Rondônia state. The economic evaluation used Monte Carlo simulation and financial indicators to assess, under conditions of randomness, the economic performance of the project. Concepts based on net present value and internal rate were applied to evaluate the economic performance. Results have shown that reduced-impact logging and the sale of logs to local sawmills in the state of Rondônia is technically and economically feasible. Harvests in an area of 560 hectares and an initial investment of approximately $ 800,000.00 at the beginning of the project resulted in net revenues in between R$ 150.000,00 and R$ 300,000.00 at the beginning of the third year. Monte Carlo simulation showed that there is a 90% probability that the project has an IRR greater than 13.80%.

This masters thesis deals with renovations expensive spare parts for the use of special engineering technologies. The aim was to compare and evaluate the technical and economical technological processes used components renovations. In the theoretical part are written information obtained from literature sources dealing with the basic concepts, definitions and describes the most commonly used technology renovation. In their study were selected components for renovation, where it is necessary to use special methods of engineering technologies. The first part was chosen balancer shaft used for four-cylinder diesel engine Volkswagen. For component was suggested special technological process of repair, so as to achieve low prices, but also guarantee a high quality repair and threaten further damage. Price repairs were compared against the cost of a new spare part. Another component was selected renovation speed bump for truck Scania. For component was suggested technological process of repair. Prices renovations by various techniques were compared.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O presente estudo aborda a caracterização faciológica e quimioestratigráfica do intervalo de folhelhos betuminosos da Formação Tremembé (Oligoceno da Bacia de Taubaté), bem como a avaliação econômica desses depósitos na região de Pindamonhangaba e Moreira César, SP. A partir da coleta sistemática de amostras de testemunhos do poço MOR-SP, foram determinados os teores de COT, S e RI, assim como dados de Pirólise Rock-Eval. Com base nesses dados seis unidades quimioestratigráficas(designadas de I a VI a partir da base) foram definidas no intervalo de cerca de 40 metros de espessura. Dados previamente estudados dos poços TMB-SP e PND-SP foram utilizados para correlação dessasunidades.Com base nos dados de Pirólise RockEval foi possível quantificar o volume de óleo potencialmente recuperável através do aproveitamento industrial dos folhelhos betuminosos. No intervalo mais promissor (unidades VI e V), compreendendo uma seção de cerca de 17 metros de espessura, o rendimento de óleo é de cerca de 25,7 milhões de barris por km2, na área do poço MOR-SP.Os dados obtidos apontam para uma importante jazida não convencional de folhelho betuminoso (oilshale), cujo aproveitamentoeconômico, se executado,requerirá, além de novas soluções tecnológicas, a implementação de ações de forma a minimizar os impactos sociais e ambientais de uma possível operação extrativa desse recurso. / The present study deals with the faciologic and chemostratigraphic characterization of the oil shale interval of the TremembéFormation(Oligocene, TaubatéBasin), and the economic evaluation of these deposits in the Pindamonhangaba and Moreira Cesar,SP regions. From the systematic sampling of the MOR-SP borehole, we determined TOC, S and IR contents, as well as data from Rock-Eval pyrolysis. Based on these data, six chemostratigraphic units (designated from I up to VI in the base) were defined in the interval of about 40 meters in thickness. Data previously studied of TMB-SP and PND-SP wells were used for correlation of these units. Based on data from Rock-Eval pyrolysis, it was possible to quantify the volume of oil potentially recoverable through industrial exploitation of bituminous shale. In the most promising interval (units V and VI), comprising a section of about 17 meters thick, the oil yield is about 25.7 million barrels perkm2 in the area of MOR-SP well. The data point is an important deposit of non-conventional bituminous shale (oilshale), which sees an economic use, if implemented, will require additional new technological solutions, the implementation of actions to minimize the social and environmental impacts of a possible extractive operation of this resource.