The first study to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening among pregnant women in the US in the era of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment demonstrates that it would be “highly” cost effective, even in states with low HCV prevalence. The investigators called for the currently disparate guidelines to recommend implementation across the board.
“Extensive sensitivity analyses indicate that screening is likely cost-effective for all states, even states with lower prevalences and whose insurers restrict treatment to those with more advanced liver disease,” Natasha Martin, DPhil, Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Healthy, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, told MD Magazine®.
Martin and colleagues pointed out that there is disagreement about HCV screening in pregnancy between US clinical guidelines, even though HCV infection has doubled among pregnant women in the US from 2009-2014. In addition, they noted, despite the high rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) attained with DAA treatment, which is equated to cure, “the majority of these women remain undiagnosed and unlinked to care.”
“Universal screening for HCV among pregnant women in the US is cost effective and should be recommended nationally,” the investigators urged.
Screening the approximately 5.04 million women pregnant in the US in 2018 would result in detection and treatment of approximately 33,000 women, based on current fibrosis restrictions, they noted.
“For many women, pregnancy is one of the few times in contact with the health system and covered by health insurance,” Martin commented, “and therefore could provide a critical window of opportunity to reach this population.”
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