Table 1 Parameters used in our decision analytic models.

Effectiveness measure

Life-years gained

Based on long-term survival

Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)

Groups

All patients

APACHE II ≥ 25

-

-

Mean entry age

60 years

PROWESS [13] and ADDRESS [14]

-

Life-expectancy for a 60-year old

Males: 20 years

Females: 24 years

Statistics Canada Life-tables[59]

-

Time horizon

20 years

Statistics Canada Life-tables [59]

30 months to 30 years

Discount rate

3%

-

0, 5%

Perspective of the analyses

Public health care provider

-

-

Survival rates (see Tables 4-6 for details)

Short-term (28-days)

PROWESS [13] and ADDRESS [14] RCTs

Probabilistic sensitivity analysis using a beta distribution defined by the point estimate and variance from RCTs for each group.

Mid-term (hospital discharge – 30 months)

Long-term PROWESS [8] RCT

Long-term beyond 30 months

Observational study in severe sepsis patients [40] and Canadian life table (2000–2002) [59] adjusted for a higher mortality in severe sepsis patients*

Complication rates

28-day bleeding rates

PROWESS [13] and ADDRESS [14]

-

Resources included in the cost analyses**

Drug acquisition

Pharmacy department MUHC

-

Hospitalization for the sepsis episode

Canadian long-term observational study in severe sepsis patients [40]

Treatment complications Years 1–3 follow-up healthcare treatment costs