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The current economic burden of cirrhosis

Guy W Neff1, Christopher W Duncan, Eugene R Schiff

  • 1Dr. Neff is Chief of Hepatology at Tampa General Medical Group in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Duncan is affiliated with Highline Gastroenterology in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Schiff is a Professor of Medicine and Director of the Schiff Liver Institute and the Center for Liver Diseases at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida.

Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|February 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Cirrhosis poses a global economic challenge. While cost-effective prevention exists for Hepatitis B virus (HBV), treatments for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcoholic liver disease vary in economic benefit, with liver transplantation being the only cure.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Health Economics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cirrhosis represents a significant global health and economic burden.
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and alcoholic liver disease are primary causes of cirrhosis.
  • Cost-effective preventive strategies are limited, primarily available for HBV infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cost-effectiveness of strategies for preventing and treating major causes of cirrhosis.
  • To assess the economic impact of quality of life on the overall cost burden of cirrhosis.
  • To explore potential cost reductions in liver transplantation through better disability prediction.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent publications on cirrhosis management and costs.
  • Analysis of cost-effectiveness of preventive and treatment strategies for HBV and HCV.
  • Evaluation of economic implications of alcoholic liver disease management and liver transplantation outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Cost-effective prevention is available for HBV infection, while treatment algorithms for HBV and HCV infections offer economic advantages depending on the regimen.
  • Effective treatment for alcoholic liver disease remains elusive, with alcohol abstinence as the primary strategy.
  • Liver transplantation, though the only cure, incurs substantial costs, with potential savings through improved post-transplant disability prediction.

Conclusions:

  • Economic strategies for cirrhosis prevention and treatment are varied, with significant gaps in managing alcoholic liver disease.
  • Improving quality of life and predicting post-transplant outcomes can mitigate the substantial economic burden of cirrhosis and its treatments.
  • Further research into cost-effective interventions across all major causes of cirrhosis is warranted.

Keywords:
Cirrhosiscosteconomic burdenhepatitis B virushepatitis C virusquality-adjusted life years

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