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Neonatal Screening: Cost-utility Analysis for Galactosemia
Nahid Hatam1, Mehrdad Askarian2, Samad Shirvani3
1Dept. of Health Services Management, School of Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Insights
Neonatal screening for galactosemia is cost-effective, improving infant health and saving healthcare resources. This program offers significant financial benefits and enhances quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Medical Economics
- Public Health
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Galactosemia is a serious congenital metabolic disorder affecting newborns.
- Early screening is crucial for preventing severe health complications.
- Economic analysis is vital for optimizing healthcare resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cost-utility of a neonatal screening program for galactosemia.
- To analyze the economic impact of screening in Fars province, Iran.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing a decision tree model from a societal perspective.
- Involved 81,837 infants screened in 2010.
- Quality of life assessed using time trade-off; cost-effectiveness determined by Incremental Cost-effectiveness Ratio.
Main Results:
- Screening costs were significantly lower than costs without screening (43,519,911 vs. 130,011,168 Iranian Rails).
- An annual saving of 201,443,240.99 Iranian Rails ($19,641.00) per patient was observed.
- Screening demonstrated a positive economic impact.
Conclusions:
- The neonatal screening program for galactosemia improves quality of life and generates healthcare savings.
- Results support the implementation of screening policies to enhance public health outcomes.
- Screening is a valuable investment for the healthcare system.
Background:
Galactosemia is a congenital metabolic disorder that can damage the health of a newborn. Screening is an important step to prevent and treat this condition. Due to increasing health care costs and limited financial resources of health systems, the most suitable economic analysis tool should be applied. The aim of this study was to analyze the cost-utility of neonatal screening program for diagnosing galactosemia in Fars province, Iran.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study and cost-utility analysis in the cost of screening for galactosemia and its financial effects, decision tree model and society's viewpoint were used. The population of study was 81837 infants referred to Neonatal Screening Laboratory (Nader Kazemi Clinic) affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS), Iran, in 2010. Quality of life in two groups of patients was evaluated by using the time trade-off. The best intervention option was selected by using the Incremental Cost-effectiveness Ratio.
Results:
The estimated cost of diagnosed through screening and without screening were 43519911 and 130011168 Iranian Rails (4222.00 $ and 12615.00 $), respectively. Therefore, there was a saving of 201443240.99 Iranian Rails (19641.00 $), for each patient annually.
Conclusion:
The screening program can improve both the qualitative and quantitative lifestyle of people and increase savings in health care system. Policymakers could use the results to design new policies based on the necessity of screening.
