Related Experiment Videos
Health economic analysis of the neonatal screening program in Japan
1Suzuka University of Medical Science and Technology.
Insights
Japan
Area of Science:
- Medical Screening
- Public Health
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- A nationwide mass screening system for neonatal metabolic diseases, including phenylketonuria (PKU), was established in Japan in 1977.
- Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a congenital metabolic disease that can lead to mental retardation if untreated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficiency of Japan's mass screening system for neonatal metabolic diseases.
- To conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the phenylketonuria (PKU) screening program as a representative case.
Main Methods:
- A cost-benefit analysis comparing the costs of detection and treatment with the benefits of preventing mental retardation associated with PKU.
- Discounting costs and benefits at an annual rate of 7%.
Main Results:
- With an assumed PKU incidence of 1/80,500 and 1.2 million infants screened, the net benefits were $283,000.
- The cost-benefit ratio for the PKU screening program was calculated to be 1:2.5.
- Sensitivity analysis indicated that cost-benefit ratios exceeded one even with varying PKU incidence rates.
Conclusions:
- The mass screening program for phenylketonuria (PKU) in Japan demonstrates a favorable cost-benefit ratio.
- The findings support the economic efficiency of nationwide neonatal screening for metabolic diseases like PKU.
- Early detection and treatment of PKU through mass screening are cost-effective in preventing severe health consequences.
Abstract:
In Japan, a nationwide mass screening system for neonatal metabolic diseases was established in 1977. This system consisted of screening programs for five main congenital metabolic diseases, including phenylketonuria (PKU). To evaluate the efficiency of the mass screening system, a cost-benefit analysis of the screening program for PKU (as a typical case in Japan) was carried out. The costs of the detection and the treatment program were compared with the projected benefit (avoided costs) that results from prevention of the mental retardation associated with the disorders due to PKU. Costs and benefits were discounted at an annual rate of 7%. Assuming that the incidence of PKU was 1/80,500 and the total number of infants screened was 1.2 million, net benefits for the screening program were $283,000, and the cost-benefit ratio was 1:2.5. The sensitivity analysis for the incidence of PKU showed that the cost-benefit ratios exceeded one.