Abstract
Between 2 and 3.5 million people live with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the US, most of whom (approximately 75%) are not aware of their disease. Despite the availability of effective HCV treatment in the early stages of infection, HCV will result in thousands of deaths in the next decade in the US. To investigate the cost-effectiveness of universal screening for all US adults aged 18 years or older for HCV in the US and of targeted screening of people who inject drugs. This simulated economic evaluation used cohort analyses in a Markov model to perform a 10 000-participant Monte Carlo microsimulation trail to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of HCV screening programs, and compared screening programs targeting people who inject drugs with universal screening of US adults age 18 years or older. Data were analyzed in December 2019. Cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Cost per QALY gained. In a 10 000 Monte Carlo microsimulation trail that compared a baseline of individuals aged 40 years (men and women) and people who inject drugs in the US, screening and treatment for HCV were estimated to increase total costs by $10 457 per person and increase QALYs by 0.23 (approximately 3 months), providing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $45 465 per QALY. Also, universal screening and treatment for HCV are estimated to increase total costs by $2845 per person and increase QALYs by 0.01, providing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $291 277 per QALY. The findings of this study suggest that HCV screening for people who inject drugs may be a cost-effective intervention to combat HCV infection in the US, which could potentially decrease the risk of untreated HCV infection and liver-related mortality.
Highlights
The exact number of individuals in the US who are currently infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is unknown, but it is estimated to be more than 2 million people and as many as 3.5 million people.[1,2] Most individuals with HCV infection are not aware of their infection because few symptoms are evident in the early stages of the disease.[3,4] 70% to 85% of acute HCV infections become a chronic disease.[5]
In a 10 000 Monte Carlo microsimulation trail that compared a baseline of individuals aged 40 years and people who inject drugs in the US, screening and treatment for HCV were estimated to increase total costs by $10 457 per person and increase quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) by 0.23, providing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $45 465 per QALY
The findings of this study suggest that HCV screening for people who inject drugs may be a cost-effective intervention to combat HCV infection in the US, which could potentially decrease the risk of untreated HCV infection and liver-related mortality
Summary
The exact number of individuals in the US who are currently infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) (presence of HCV RNA) is unknown, but it is estimated to be more than 2 million people and as many as 3.5 million people.[1,2] Most individuals with HCV infection (approximately 75%) are not aware of their infection because few symptoms are evident in the early stages of the disease.[3,4] 70% to 85% of acute HCV infections become a chronic disease.[5] Chronic HCV infection is the primary reason for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and the leading cause of liver transplantation.[6].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
