[Cost evaluation of therapeutic management of patients with chronic hepatitis C]

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C Faure1, P Gasser, M C Douet

  • 1Service Pharmacie, Hôpital G et Laënnec, Nantes, France.

Therapie
|September 12, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C treatment costs are high, primarily due to hospitalizations and medications. Early diagnosis and standardized care are crucial for managing this public health issue.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Public Health
  • Health Economics

Context:

  • Hepatitis C is a significant public health concern in France.
  • Interferon alpha is a common treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
  • Economic evaluations are vital for understanding healthcare burdens.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate the comprehensive cost of care for 55 hepatitis C patients treated with interferon alpha.
  • To assess the socio-professional impact of hepatitis C treatment.
  • To identify disparities in clinical follow-up for chronic hepatitis C patients.

Summary:

  • The total cost of care amounted to 1,155,359 francs, with hospitalization (55%) and pharmaceutical costs (35.8%) being the largest components.
  • Blood testing accounted for 9.2% of the total cost.
  • Among 36 working patients, 10 altered their work activities due to treatment, with 4 returning to their original roles after cessation.

Impact:

  • The study highlights significant variations in clinical management for hepatitis C patients.
  • It emphasizes the need for systematic screening of transfused patients for early diagnosis.
  • Recommendations include standardizing blood tests, visualizing day-care treatments, and establishing a consensus for comprehensive patient care.

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