Cost-effectiveness of Screening Colonoscopy in Iranian High Risk Population

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer among men and the second among women in Iran. First-Degree Relatives (FDRs) of patients with CRC are known to be at higher risk of CRC. The aim of this study was to identify the most cost-effective strategy for CRC screening in Iranian high risk individuals.

A Markov model was developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of six colonoscopy screening strategies for individuals at increased risk of CRC because of positive history of the disease in at least one first-degree relative in their family. Our strategies included five-yearly or ten-yearly colonoscopy starting from the age of 40 or 50 and colonoscopy once at 50 or 55 years. Data were extracted from the published literature, Globocan 2012 database, and national cancer registry reports. The Markov model contained 11 mutually exclusive health states. Time horizon of model was life time and cycle duration was 1 year. Outcomes included life year gains, Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) and costs. The TreeAge Pro software was used for data modeling.

All six screening strategies increased the life expectancy and QALY and were costlier than no screening. The incremental cost per QALY gained for CRC screening varied from $489 for one colonoscopy screening per lifetime at 55 years to $3,135 for colonoscopy screening every five years starting at the age of 40, compared with no screening. When strategies were compared with the next best strategy, dominated strategies were removed from analysis, one colonoscopy screening per lifetime at 55 years old; or every ten years starting at the age 40; or every five years starting at age 40 remained with incremental cost effective ratios of $489, $2,505, and $26,080 per QALY gained, respectively.

CRC colonoscopy screening in high-risk individuals is cost-effective in Iran. Colonoscopy screening every 10 years starting at the age of 40 was the most cost-effective strategy.