Estimation of quality-adjusted life years (QALY) losses associated with COVID-19 deaths in Ukraine

Objective. This study aims to assess the probable loss of quality-adjusted life years (QALY) associated with premature death from COVID-19 in Ukraine, based on the adaptation of the international methodology (Briggs A., 2020a; b) and standard methods using life tables and taking into account the age structure as well as the potential impact of comorbidities in the local environment. Object and methods of research. We adapted the input parameters of the model, basically presented with data from the United Kingdom, to ukrainian local conditions based on published life tables and age structure of mortality from COVID-19 in Ukraine using «Microsoft Excel». Age structure of mortality from COVID-19 is presented by the data of the Center of Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (08.05.2020). Results. According to the results of the study, we found that death from COVID-19 is associated with a significant loss of QALY in Ukraine in three scenarios: from 6 to 13 years of quality-adjusted life years. Losses due to mortality from coronavirus in Ukraine range from 2295 to 4525 QALY, depending on the impact of comorbidities. Conclusions. It was found that in Ukraine there is 55.2% more QALY losses per person compared to the United Kingdom, due to the different age structure of mortality from COVID-19. Thus, in low-incidence countries, QALY loss is shown to be an important parameter to consider in order to improve healthcare and pharmaceutical provision during the pandemic.

Published: 29.05.2020

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