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Cost effectiveness of interferon α or peginterferon α with ribavirin for histologically mild chronic hepatitis C

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Margaret Bassendine

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Abstract

Background: For patients with mild chronic hepatitis C the cost effectiveness of antiviral therapy is unknown. Aims: To assess whether antiviral therapy (either interferon a or peginterferon a combined with ribavirin) is cost effective at a mild stage compared with waiting and only treating those cases who progress to moderate disease. Patients: Cases with mild chronic hepatitis C. Methods: A cost effectiveness model which estimates long term costs and outcomes for patients with mild chronic hepatitis C. The model uses effectiveness and cost data from the UK mild hepatitis C randomised controlled trial, combined with estimates of disease progression and cost from observational studies. Results: Antiviral treatment at a mild rather than a moderate stage improved outcomes measured by quality adjusted life years (QALYS) gained. The mean cost per QALY gained from antiviral treatment with interferon α-2b and ribavirin, compared with no treatment at a mild stage, was £4535 ($7108) for patients with genotype non-1 and £25 188 ($39 480) for patients with genotype 1. Providing peginterferon α-2b and ribavirin at a mild rather than a moderate stage was also associated with a gain in QALYS; the costs per QALY gained were £7821 ($12 259) for patients with genotype non-1 and £28 409 ($44 528) for patients with genotype 1. Conclusions: For patients with chronic hepatitis C, it is generally more cost effective to provide antiviral treatment at a mild rather than a moderate disease stage. For older patients (aged 65 years or over) with genotype 1, antiviral treatment at a mild stage is not cost effective.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Grieve R, Roberts J, Wright M, Sweeting M, De Angelis D, Rosenberg W, Bassendine M, Main J, Thomas H

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Gut

Year: 2006

Volume: 55

Issue: 9

Pages: 1332-1338

ISSN (print): 0017-5749

ISSN (electronic): 1468-3288

Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gut.2005.064774

DOI: 10.1136/gut.2005.064774

PubMed id: 15994216

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