Quantifying the Clinical, Economic and Quality of Life Impacts of the Decision to Treat and Treatment at Early Stages of Hepatitis C (HCV) Genotype-1 in Louisiana: a Cost-Effectiveness of Analysis
Dwana J. Green, MPH
It is estimated that 3 to 5 million individuals in the U.S. are chronically infected with HCV. More than 12,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. as a result of HCV-related liver disease. The cost of treatment for individuals with HCV genotype-1 is approximately $100,000. (Razavi, 2013) The high cost of treatment has led to fears that many who could benefit from treatment will not receive it considering many with HCV are uninsured or have Medicaid.
Of the 50,000 people in Louisiana projected to develop chronic HCV, 10,000 will progress to cirrhosis which has a 25% fatality rate. About 3,000 are candidates for a liver transplant which it estimated to cost $900 million. (Louisiana Office of Public Health — Infectious Disease Section, 2011)
This project evaluates the life expectancy, cost and cost-effectiveness of treating HCV. A decision tree and Markov model will simulate progression through the various states of health involved in progressive HCV disease, including death.
