Evaluating a population-based screening programme for early detection of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in primary care in Germany: a cost assessment study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Structured Early detection of Asymptomatic Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis (SEAL) is a population-based screening programme using non-invasive tests for the early detection of liver fibrosis. This study evaluates the cost implications if the SEAL programme were to be implemented in routine care in Germany.

Design

This study models cost differences with and without the SEAL screening programme. We regress costs of care on patient characteristics (age, comorbidities, sex, liver diseases, liver cancer and liver fibrosis and cirrhosis (LCI) stage) using statutory health insurance (SHI) data from routine care patients with LCI (n=4177). Based on these results, we predict per-patient costs for the patients newly diagnosed with LCI by SEAL (n=45). Costs with and without scr

SUBMITTER: Ortner J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12458766 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature