Cost‐effectiveness of the screening of blood donations for hepatitis E virus in the Netherlands

• DOI: 10.1111/trf.13978
• Publication Date: 2017-02-01T04:56:33Z
• Authors: Anneke S. de Vos; Mart P. Janssen; Hans L. Zaaijer; Boris M. Hogema
• Keywords: Blood donations; Hepatitis E Virus

BACKGROUND The incidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) has increased substantially in Europe recently, thereby threatening blood safety. A cost‐effectiveness analysis for HEV screening donations the Netherlands was performed. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS simulation model developed to mimic process donation, infections donor population, donation testing, and transmission transfusion recipients. variability viral loads among donors modeled using observed loads. number (incurable) chronic organ stem cell transplant patients costs avoided by implementing were estimated. RESULTS whole pools 24 would prevent 4.52 4.94 transfusion‐associated expected annually, at approximately €310,000 per prevented case. Per case not curable ribavirin prevention, are 10 times higher. Selective screening, if logistically feasible, could reduce 85%. Sensitivity analyses show that uncertainty transmissibility frequency clearing greatly impact estimated cost‐effectiveness. Of all nationwide one 700 is be due transfusion, while this 3.5. CONCLUSION Despite uncertainties our estimates, preventing appears excessively expensive compared other blood‐screening measures Netherlands. However, on disease burden may relatively small as only a minority cases transmitted transfusion.