Table 1 Probabilities, utilities, and costs for base case and sensitivity analysis

Probabilities:

   NIPPV tolerance

0.49[3]

0.40

0.80

   Staying mild

0.66[14]

0.60

0.70

   Staying moderate

0.77[14]

0.70

0.80

   Staying severe

0.76[14]

0.70

0.80

   Staying terminal

0.78[14]

0.70

0.80

Utilities:

   Mild

0.8[15]

0.7

0.9

   Moderate

0.6[15]

0.5

0.7

   Severe

0.5[15]

0.4

0.6

   Terminal

0.4[15]

0.3

0.5

Costs:

   NIPPV and accessories for 1 year

$3,132[17]

$2,810

$3,306

   A trial of NIPPV in those who prove intolerant

$467[17]

$411

$483