Cost-effectiveness analysis between primary and secondary preventive strategies for gastric cancer

Yi Chia Lee, Jaw Town Lin, Hui Min Wu, Tzeng Ying Liu, Ming Fang Yen, Han Mo Chiu, Hsiu Po Wang, Ming Shiang Wu, Tony Hsiu Hsi Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

77 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: The present study is done to assess the relative cost-effectiveness, optimal initial age, and interscreening interval between primary and secondary prevention strategies for gastric cancer. Methods: Base-case estimates, including variables of natural history, efficacy of intervention, and relevant cost, were derived from two preventive programs targeting a high-risk population. Cost-effectiveness was compared between chemoprevention with 13C urea breath testing followed by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and high-risk surveillance based on serum pepsinogen measurement and confirmed by endoscopy. The main outcome measure was cost per life-year gained with a 3% annual discount rate. Results: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for once-only chemoprevention at age 30 years versus no screening was U.S. $17,044 per life-year gained. Eradication of H. pylori at later age or with a periodic scheme yielded a less favorable result. Annual high-risk screening at age of 50 years versus no screening resulted in an ICER of U.S. $29,741 per life-year gained. The ICERs of surveillance did not substantially vary with different initial ages or interscreening intervals. Chemoprevention could be dominated by high-risk surveillance when the initial age was older than 44 years. Otherwise, chemoprevention was more cost-effective than high-risk surveillance, either at ceiling ratios of U.S. $15,762 or up to U.S. $50,000. The relative cost-effectiveness was most sensitive to the infection rate of H. pylori and proportion of early gastric cancer in all detectable cases. Conclusions: Early H. pylori eradication once in lifetime seems more cost-effective than surveillance strategy. However, the choice is still subject to the risk of infection, detectability of early gastric cancer, and timing of intervention.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)875-885
Number of pages11
JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention
Volume16
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2007
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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