Abstract
BackgroundCystic echinococcosis (CE) is a globally occurring zoonosis, whereas alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is endemic only in certain parts of the Northern Hemisphere. The socioeconomic impact of human echinococcosis has been shown to be considerable in highly endemic regions. However, detailed data on direct healthcare-related costs associated with CE and AE are scarce for high income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate direct costs of human disease caused by CE and AE in Austria.MethodsClinical data from a registry maintained at a national reference center for echinococcosis at the Medical University of Vienna were obtained for the years 2012–2014. These data were used in conjunction with epidemiological data from Austria’s national disease reporting system and diagnostic reference laboratory for echinococcosis to assess nationwide costs attributable to CE and AE.ResultsIn Austria, total modelled direct costs were 486,598€ (95%CI 341,825€ – 631,372€) per year for CE, and 683,824€ (95%CI 469,161€ - 898,486€) for AE. Median costs per patient with AE from diagnosis until the end of a 10-year follow-up period were 30,832€ (25th– 75th percentile: 23,197€ - 31,220€) and 62,777€ (25th– 75th percentile: 60,806€ - 67,867€) for inoperable and operable patients, respectively. Median costs per patients with CE from diagnosis until end of follow-up after 10 years were 16,253€ (25th– 75th percentile: 8,555€ - 24,832€) and 1,786€ (25th– 75th percentile: 736€ - 2,146€) for patients with active and inactive cyst stages, respectively. The first year after inclusion was the most cost-intense year in the observed period, with hospitalizations and albendazole therapy the main contributors to direct costs.ConclusionsThis study provides detailed information on direct healthcare-related costs associated with CE and AE in Austria, which may reflect trends for other high-income countries. Surgery and albendazole therapy, due to surprisingly high drug prices, were identified as important cost-drivers. These data will be important for cost-effectiveness analyses of possible prevention programs.
Highlights
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcous granulosus and is endemic on all continents
Detailed data on direct healthcare-related costs associated with CE and alveolar echincoccosis (AE) are scarce for high income countries
The aim of this study was to evaluate direct costs of human disease caused by CE and AE in Austria
Summary
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcous granulosus and is endemic on all continents. Echinocococcus multilocularis, the pathogen responsible for alveolar echincoccosis (AE), occurs only in certain areas of the Northern Hemisphere [1]. Both infections occur in humans in Austria. The western provinces of Austria are traditional hotspots of E. multilocularis transmission, with an increase in cases seen recently [2]. Autochthonous E. granulosus transmission is rare in Austria, with only occasional locally-acquired CE cases reported in the past 20 years [3]. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a globally occurring zoonosis, whereas alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is endemic only in certain parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
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