Abstract | INTRODUCTION: With recognition that resources are limited, health care payers and policy makers have increasingly turned toward economic analyses to determine whether particular therapies are an efficient use of economic resources. Both chronic hepatitis B and C infections can progress to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma over time. Interferon treatment has been shown to eradicate viremia, but only does so in a proportion of treated patients. It has potential side effects, has no proven long-term benefit on complications and is relatively expensive. OBJECTIVE: METHODS: Computer cohort Markov model simulation to project the lifelong impact of the loss of hepatitis B or C viremia resulting from interferon on cirrhosis, life expectancy, and costs. The natural history of hepatitis B and C was based on published studies. Efficacy estimates for the loss of viremia were based on meta-analysis of published data. Using a societal perspective, economic estimates were based on cost of care data for patients with hepatitis and from estimates regarding the frequency of health resource utilization provided by expert panels. RESULTS: CONCLUSION:
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Authors | J B Wong |
Journal | Acta gastro-enterologica Belgica
(Acta Gastroenterol Belg)
1998 Apr-Jun
Vol. 61
Issue 2
Pg. 238-42
ISSN: 1784-3227 [Print] Belgium |
PMID | 9658620
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
- Recombinant Proteins
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Cohort Studies
- Computer Simulation
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Decision Support Techniques
- Female
- Hepatitis B, Chronic
(drug therapy, economics)
- Hepatitis C, Chronic
(drug therapy, economics)
- Humans
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
(therapeutic use)
- Life Expectancy
- Male
- Markov Chains
- Recombinant Proteins
- Survival Rate
- Treatment Outcome
- United States
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