Costs and Resource Use Among Patients with Cervical Cancer, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, and Genital Warts in Algeria

Background: Cervical cancer rates in North Africa have risen in the last 10 years, suggesting that this region might benefit from cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination programs. To assess the potential benefits of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination in North African countries, country-specific data on the prevalence and burden of HPV-related conditions are needed. Objectives: To describe the patterns and estimate the costs of management of cervical cancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and genital warts in Algeria. Methods: This was a descriptive analysis of questionnaire data obtained from a panel of 15 oncologists, gynecologists, and dermatologists (n=5 each). Data on diagnostic and treatment patterns, recurrence, and healthcare resource use (HCRU) were obtained. The costs (in Algerian dinars) associated with diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence were estimated. Results: Diagnosis of CIN was obtained by cytology tests or lesion biopsies; for cervical cancer, lesion biopsies, MRI, and CT scans were the most common diagnostic tests. For CIN, 70% of gynecologists and/or oncologists regularly or always used conization as a treatment. Treatments used regularly or always for cervical cancer included chemotherapy (80%), hysterectomy (70%), and radiation (70%). Annual HCRU per institution included 20 outpatient visits and 15 hospitalizations for CIN, and 50 outpatient visits and 11 hospitalizations for cervical cancer. For genital warts, diagnostic tests performed regularly or always included assays for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis; cervical cytology; and colposcopy. Cryotherapy was the universal first-line treatment. Median per-patient costs associated with diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence were 6750, 19 750, and 77 750, respectively, for CIN; 53 750, 650 000, and 431 250, respectively, for cervical cancer; and 16 075, 15 500, and 9250, respectively, for genital warts. Discussion: These results give an estimate of the HCRU and cost of cervical cancer, CIN, and genital warts and highlight the need to assess more precisely the epidemiology of these diseases in Algeria. Conclusions: This study investigated the management of patients with cervical cancer, CIN, or genital warts in Algeria and provided the first estimates of diagnosis and treatment patterns, HCRU, and costs associated with these conditions. These resource use and cost estimates highlight the need to develop prevention strategies for HPV-related pathologies.

Healthcare resource utilization and costs associated with anogenital warts in Morocco

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV), primarily genotypes 6 and 11, cause the majority of cases of anogenital warts (AGW). Although benign, AGW are associated with a substantial economic and psychosocial burden. Several vaccines have been developed to prevent HPV. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and healthcare resource utilization of AGW in Morocco, as well as the associated costs of treatment from the public healthcare perspective.

Methods

This was a descriptive analysis of questionnaire data obtained via a Delphi panel. The panel consisted of 9 physicians practicing in public hospitals in Morocco (4 dermatologists and 5 obstetricians/gynecologists). The questionnaire collected data on physician and practice characteristics, diagnostic tests and procedures, treatments, and follow-up (including recurrence) of patients with AGW. Questionnaire items on which ≥ 70% of respondents agreed were considered as having consensus. Costs associated with diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up were calculated in Moroccan dirham (MAD) and converted to euros (€) based on official national price lists for public hospitals and the HCRU estimates from the questionnaire.

Results

The physician-estimated prevalence of AGW in Morocco was 1.6%-2.6% in women and 2.0%-5.3% in men. A mean (median) of 6.4 (4) patients per month per physician sought medical attention for AGW. Simple observation was the most common diagnostic method for AGW in both men and women, and excision was the most prescribed therapy (75%), requiring a mean of 2 visits. Recurrence occurred in approximately 27% of patients. The cost per case of managing AGW, including recurrence, was estimated at 2182–2872 MAD (€207–272) for women and 2170–2450 MAD (€206–233) for men. The total annual cost of medical consultations for AGW in Morocco ranged from 3,271,877 MAD to 4,253,703 MAD (€310,828–404,102).

Conclusions

Expert consensus indicates that AGW represent a significant burden to the Moroccan public healthcare system. These data can inform policy makers regarding this vaccine-preventable disease.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13027-021-00403-1.

Assessing the use of antibiotics and the burden of varicella in Belgium using a retrospective GP database analysis

Background

Varicella is a highly contagious infection that typically occurs in childhood. While most cases have a generally benign outcome, infection results in a considerable healthcare burden and serious complications may occur.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to characterize the burden of varicella in a real-world primary care setting in Belgium, including the rate of varicella-related complications, medication management and general practitioner (GP) visits.

Methods

The study was a retrospective observational study using data from a longitudinal patient database in a primary care setting in Belgium. Patients with a GP visit and a varicella diagnosis between January 2016 and June 2019 were eligible and data one month prior and three months after the diagnosis were included. Outcomes included varicella-related complications, antibiotic use, antiviral use, and GP follow-up visits. Antibiotic use could be specified by class of antibiotic and linked to a diagnosis. Complications were identified based on concomitant diagnosis with varicella during the study period.

Results

3,847 patients with diagnosis of varicella were included, with a mean age of 8.4 years and a comparable distribution of gender. 12.6% of patients with varicella had a concomitant diagnosis of a varicella-related complication. During the follow-up period, 27.3% of patients with varicella were prescribed antibiotics, either systemic (19.8%) and/or topical (10.3%). The highest rate of antibiotic prescriptions was observed in patients with complications (63.5%) and in patients younger than 1 year (41.8%). Nevertheless, 5.3% of the patients were prescribed antibiotics without a concomitant diagnosis of another infection. The most commonly prescribed systemic antibiotics were amoxicillin alone or combined with beta-lactamase inhibitor, and thiamphenicol. Fusidic acid and tobramycin were the most prescribed topical antibiotics. Antivirals were prescribed for 2.7% of the study population. 4.7% of the patients needed a follow-up visit with their GP.

Conclusions

This study reports a substantial burden of varicella in a primary care setting in Belgium, with high rates of complications and antibiotic use.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06848-4.

Immunization funding across 28 European countries

INTRODUCTION

Disease prevention and improving vaccination coverage in Europe are key elements contributing to resilient health systems and ensuring better health outcomes for all. The aim of this study was to describe the immunization funding landscape across all European Union 28 countries (EU28).

AREAS COVERED

Data collected in a targeted literature review supported descriptive analysis on the different indicators that were looked at: vaccines included in the EU28 national immunization programs (NIP), national immunization funding, immunization funding per capita (2015-2019) and percentage of health-care budget allocated to immunization.

EXPERT OPINION

Immunization funding represents a small proportion of total healthcare spend in Europe (median 0.3%). In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, demographic changes, and the potential introduction of new vaccines; the need for adequate financing of immunization programs will be important, to establish resilient immunization systems and provide sustainable protection of the population against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Health and Economic Burden of Skin Melanoma in Croatia - Cost-of-illness Study

Melanoma incidence is increasing, especially in the younger population. The aim of this study was to investigate the cost of this disease in the Croatian population and to identify costs through types of care and types of costs. The secondary goal was to estimate the prevalence of certain types of melanoma (as well as staging distribution) and to connect each stage and its prevalence in Croatia to related costs. A cost-of-illness analysis was performed, mainly including direct costs (monitoring, drugs, primary health care services, hospitalizations, and diagnostics). The calculations were based on data collected from Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center in Zagreb and from Cancer Registry Data. The number of patients with melanoma was calculated using the Markov model for melanoma staging and 5-year survival. The estimated total prevalence of melanoma in 2011 in Croatia was 2,180. The total cost of melanoma was estimated to 1,063,488 EUR, with 46% used for hospitalization and chemotherapy, 10% for dermatoscopy, and the remaining 17% being monitoring costs. The average cost per patient was estimated to range between 98 and 4,333 EUR depending on the stage of the disease. The cost of melanoma in the adult population in Croatia in a one-year timeframe accounted for as much as 0.04% of the total Croatian national health care budget for 2011. Study findings indicate the need for a clear strategy to achieve regular screening in order to detect the disease at an early stage.