Luo Li’s research while affiliated with Fudan University and other places

Background Obesity has become major public health problem around the world. Lifestyle interventions, Pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery are the common intervention to reduce weight in clinical practice. This study aims to conduct an economic evaluation of Duodenal–Jejunal Bypass Sleeve (DJBS) plus Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) compared with ILI only in people with obesity in China. Methods A hybrid model using a Decision Tree and Markov model was used to compare 9-month and lifetime horizon cost-effectiveness between DJBS plus ILI and ILI only. The data on clinical effectiveness were based on a prospective, open-label, and randomized trial (NCT05938231). This study employed 1–3 times the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita (¥85,498, exchange rate: $1 US dollar = ¥6.73, 2022) and disposable income per capita (¥36,883, 2022) as the Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) thresholds. One-way, probabilistic sensitivity and scenario analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. Results The results of the 9-month decision tree model showed that compared to ILI only, DJBS plus ILI decreased body mass index (BMI) by 1.69 kg/m2 (1.41 vs. 3.10), with an increasing cost of ¥28,963.98 yuan (¥29,111.06 vs.¥147.08). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was ¥17,138.45 per unit decrease of BMI. The lifetime horizon model showed that compared to ILI only, DJBS plus ILI had a higher cost of ¥13261.94 yuan (¥31,688.98 vs. ¥18,427.04), while with a life-year increase of 0.02 (9.43 vs. 9.41) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) increase of 0.15 (7.82 vs. 7.67) per people with obesity. The ICER was ¥88,412.93 per QALY gained. Probability sensitivity analysis showed the robustness of the economic evaluation results. Conclusion The findings suggested that DJBS plus ILI was not a cost-effective strategy over a lifetime horizon when the WTP threshold was set at GDP per capita and disposable income per capita. However, it was considered cost-effective when the threshold was set at 1.03 times GDP per capita.

Background Price levels of medical services may vary across regions with different income levels, which would raise concerns about the equal access to medical services. This study aimed to estimate the spatial price index of medical services to measure price levels across 31 provincial regions in China. Methods Price data were collected from medical service price schedule in each region. Two methods based on the Purchasing Power Parities were used to estimate the spatial price index and measure price differences across regions. The two-way fixed effects models were used to examine the association between medical service price levels and income levels, and further investigate the impacts of price differences on utilization of medical services and medical expenditure. Results The consistent estimation results were given by two methods. Medical service price level in the highest-price region was found to be 74% higher than the lowest. There was a significant negative correlation between price levels and income levels, as well as price levels and the utilization of outpatient services. Moreover, we also found a 1% increase in medical service price level was significantly associated with a 0.34% and 0.24% increase in the medical service expense per outpatient visit and per inpatient respectively. Conclusions Regions in China had significant gaps in medical service price levels. Policymakers should pay more attention to regional price differences and take great measures such as enhancing financial protection to ensure the equal access to medical services and better achieve the universal health coverage.

Background Medical service prices play a crucial role in cost containment in China. This study aimed to assess the change in medical service price levels at the macro level and the relationship with relevant macroeconomic factors. Methods Data from the 2022 China Statistics Yearbook, the 2022 China Health Statistics Yearbook, and the 2020 China National Health Accounts Report were used. Time trends of health price levels, utilization, and health expenditure were examined. A time-series regression model was employed to measure the impact of service utilization and medical service prices on total medical service expenditure growth from 2000 to 2021. The Johansen cointegration test was conducted to test the cointegrating relationship between medical service price levels and total medical service expenditure, average wage of employees and CPI. The Granger causality test was performed to observe the direction of causality. Results Descriptive analyses showed consistent growth in utilization and medical service price levels from 2000 to 2021. The time-series model indicated that medical service expenditure was influenced by the rise in inpatient admissions and price levels of medical service and medicine. The Johansen cointegration test identified a long-term equilibrium relationship between medical service price levels and total medical service expenditure, average wage and CPI. The change in medical service price levels was the Granger cause of the change in medical service expenditure, but it had no impact on average wage and CPI. However, the change in medical service price levels was influenced by these three macroeconomic factors. Conclusions The growth of medical service expenditure in China was driven by inpatient use and price level. There was a long-term equilibrium relationship between medical service price levels and relevant macroeconomic factors. However, medical service price levels only affected medical service expenditure and have no impact on average wage and CPI. It is necessary to improve the value transmission mechanism of medical service prices.

Background Price differences of medical services across regions may affect equity in health financing. This study aimed to estimate the spatial price index of medical services to measure price levels across regions in the Yangtze River Delta, China. Methods Gini-Éltetö-Köves-Szulc method and minimum spanning tree method based on the purchasing power parities were used in this study. Results According to the Gini-Éltetö-Köves-Szulc method, Shanghai and Anhui province had price levels that are 127.55% and 103.45% respectively of the price level in Zhejiang province, whereas in Jiangsu medical services were priced at 92.71% of that in Zhejiang province. The spatial price index of medical services in the Yangtze River Delta based on the minimum spanning tree method provided similar results. Conclusions Regions in the Yangtze River Delta had significant gaps in medical services price levels. And the price levels tended to not correlate with socioeconomic levels. It is necessary to promote the regional coordination of medical services price and better achieve equity in health.