Cost-effectiveness of newborn screening for cystic fibrosis determined with real-life data

C.P.B. van der Ploeg*, M.E. van den Akker-van Marle, A.M.M. Vernooij-van Langen, L.H. Elvers, J.J.P. Gille, P.H. Verkerk, J.E. Dankert-Roelse, E. Dompeling, the CHOPIN study group

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Previous cost-effectiveness studies using data from the literature showed that newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (NBSCF) is a good economic option with positive health effects and longer survival.We used primary data to compare cost-effectiveness of four screening strategies for NBSCF, i.e. immunoreactive trypsinogen-testing followed by pancreatitis-associated protein-testing (IRT-PAP), IRT-DNA, IRT-DNA-sequencing, and IRT-PAP-DNA-sequencing, each compared to no-screening. A previously developed decision analysis model for NBSCF was fed with model parameters mainly based on a study evaluating two novel screening strategies among 145,499 newborns in The Netherlands.The four screening strategies had cost-effectiveness ratios varying from ?23,600 to ?29,200 per life-year gained. IRT-PAP had the most favourable cost-effectiveness ratio. Additional life-years can be gained by IRT-DNA but against higher costs. When treatment costs reduce with 5% due to early diagnosis, screening will lead to financial savings.NBSCF is as an economically justifiable public health initiative. Of the four strategies tested IRT-PAP is the most economic and this finding should be included in any decision making model, when considering implementation of newborn screening for CF. European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)194-202
JournalJournal of Cystic Fibrosis
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2015

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