Cost-Effectiveness and Clinical Impact of Antiviral Strategies of HBeAg-Positive and -Negative Chronic Hepatitis B

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is associated with high burden and healthcare costs. Virologic response achieved with an-tivirals is associated with progression avoidance. This study aimed to estimate the efficiency and clinical impact of antiviral strategies in CHB patients. Material and methods: A Markov model estimated lifetime complications and direct costs in both, HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative cohorts. Strategy 1 (71% of treated population) and strategy 2 (100%), both based on pegylat-ed interferon (peg-IFN) followed by oral tenofovir or entecavir, were compared to no treatment. Progression was based on HBV-DNA levels. Rescue therapy with oral antivirals was applied for peg-IFN failure. Disease costs (=C, 2014) and utilities were obtained from literature. Results: Compared to natural history, strategy 1 increased QALY (3.98 in HBeAg-positive, 2.16 in -negative cohort). With strategy 2, survival was up to 5.60 (HBeAg-positive) and 3.05 QALY (in HBeAg-negative). The model predicted avoidance of 128 and 86 carcinomas in HBeAg-positive and -negative patients with strategy 1, and up to 181 and 121 in HBeAg-positive and -negative for strategy 2. Total cost increased up to =C102,841 (strategy 1) and =C105,408 (strategy 2) in HBeAg-positive, and =C85,858 and =C93,754 in HBeAg-negative. A =C1,581/QALY gained ratio was estimated versus the natural history for both strategies. In conclusion, increasing antiviral coverage would be efficient, reducing complications