Prenatal screening for cystic fibrosis: an economic analysis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-shortening genetically transmitted disease in Denmark with a birth prevalence of 1 in 4700, resulting in 12-15 new cases of cystic fibroses annually. The aim of this study is to disclose the societal resource implications of introducing a population wide prenatal screening programme for cystic fibrosis in Denmark. The present analysis is limited to the monetary consequences of introducing a screening programme, where costs of screening are compared to the potential benefits measured in cost savings involved if births of CF patients are avoided. Screening costs in a Danish setting were estimated at DKK 2 771 262 ( pound sterlings 231 438) per aborted affected fetus in the first screening round, stabilising at DKK 1 864 594 ( pound sterlings 155 383) per aborted affected fetus at subsequent screening rounds. Comparing this figure with the estimated benefits of avoiding a CF case (DKK 2.1-4.4 million; pound sterlings 175 000-366 667) suggests that introducing a screening programme for cystic fibrosis will be net cost saving irrespective of the perspective of the analysis, assumptions on replacement children and method of estimating long-term production gains/losses.