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ABSTRACT: Background
The Surveillance and Treatment of Prisoners With Hepatitis C (SToP-C) study demonstrated that scaling up of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment reduced hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of scaling up HCV treatment in statewide prison services incorporating long-term outcomes across custodial and community settings.Methods
A dynamic model of incarceration and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) in New South Wales, Australia, was extended to include former PWID and those with long-term HCV progression. Using Australian costing data, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of scaling up HCV treatment in prisons by 44% (as achieved by the SToP-C study) for 10 years (2021-2030) before reducing to baseline levels, compared to a status quo scenario. The mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was estimated by comparing the differences in costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) between the scale-up and status quo scenarios over 40 years (2021-2060) discounted at 5% per annum. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.Results
Scaling up HCV treatment in the statewide prison service is projected to be cost-effective with a mean ICER of A$12 968/QALY gained. The base-case scenario gains 275 QALYs over 40 years at a net incremental cost of A$3.6 million. Excluding DAA pharmaceutical costs, the mean ICER is reduced to A$6 054/QALY. At the willingness-to-pay threshold of A$50 000/QALY, 100% of simulations are cost-effective at various discount rates, time horizons, and changes of treatment levels in prison and community.Conclusions
Scaling up HCV testing and treatment in prisons is highly cost-effective and should be considered a priority in the national elimination strategy.Clinical trials registration
NCT02064049.
SUBMITTER: Shih STF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10854215 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Shih Sophy T F STF Stone Jack J Martin Natasha K NK Hajarizadeh Behzad B Cunningham Evan B EB Kwon Jisoo A JA McGrath Colette C Grant Luke L Grebely Jason J Dore Gregory J GJ Lloyd Andrew R AR Vickerman Peter P Chambers Georgina M GM
Open forum infectious diseases 20231218 2
<h4>Background</h4>The Surveillance and Treatment of Prisoners With Hepatitis C (SToP-C) study demonstrated that scaling up of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment reduced hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of scaling up HCV treatment in statewide prison services incorporating long-term outcomes across custodial and community settings.<h4>Methods</h4>A dynamic model of incarceration and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) in New South W ...[more]