Oxygen desaturation during sleep in hepatopulmonary syndrome.

UNLABELLED: Sleep alters respiratory mechanics and gas exchange, which can adversely affect arterial oxygenation. Whether sleep affects oxygenation in hepatopulmonary syndrome is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess oxygen desaturation during sleep in hepatopulmonary syndrome. Twenty adults with cirrhosis including 10 controls and 10 patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome underwent home pulse-oximetry during sleep. Subjects at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea were excluded through the Berlin questionnaire. Subjects who spent more than 10% of total sleep time with arterial oxygen saturation < 90% were classified as sleep-time oxygen desaturators. Sleep-time desaturation was correlated with clinical variables. The results showed that 7 of 10 hepatopulmonary syndrome subjects and none of the 10 controls had sleep-time oxygen desaturation. The median percentage of total sleep time with arterial oxygen saturation < 90% was significantly higher in hepatopulmonary syndrome subjects than in controls (medians 25% versus 0%, P = 0.005). Hepatopulmonary syndrome subjects had significantly lower wake-time arterial oxygen saturation level (median, 97% versus 95%; P = 0.003) and mean sleep-time arterial oxygen saturation level (median, 96% versus 91%; P = 0.0008) than did the controls. Sleep-time desaturation directly correlated with alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (P = 0.0007) and inversely correlated with wake-time arterial oxygen tension (P = 0.0007) and oxygen saturation (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Oxygen desaturation occurred during sleep in 70% of hepatopulmonary syndrome subjects, the degree of which correlated with the severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome. Marked hypoxemia during sleep may occur in hepatopulmonary syndrome patients who, according to wake-time oxygen values, have only mild to moderate hypoxemia.

Assessment of the PHQ-9 as a screening tool for depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We examined the test characteristics of the PHQ-9, a new screening tool that has been validated in the general population but not amongst patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: The PHQ-9, CES-D and BDI-II questionnaires were administered to 129 consecutive patients with chronic HCV attending a specialty clinic between August 2005 and April 2006. RESULTS: Approximately 52% of participants reported symptoms suggesting depression. Prevalence of depression was 62% using the BDI-II, 75% per the PHQ-9 and 72% per the CES-D. We observed a strong correlation between the BDI-II, CES-D and PHQ-9 in patients on and off interferon. Scores on the three questionnaires were only moderately associated with symptoms reported by the patients. There was moderate agreement between the CES-D and BDI-II and slight agreement between both these questionnaires and the PHQ-9. Scores on the PHQ-9 correlated strongly with scores on the CES-D and BDI-II and moderately with patients' symptoms.

Utility of pulse oximetry screening for hepatopulmonary syndrome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatopulmonary syndrome is characterized by oxygenation abnormalities caused by intrapulmonary vasodilatation in the setting of liver disease and/or portal hypertension. This syndrome occurs in approximately 15%-30% of cirrhotic patients and influences mortality and transplant candidacy. However, no specific screening guidelines are established. We evaluated pulse oximetry with contrast echocardiography in detecting hepatopulmonary syndrome in a cohort of patients undergoing evaluation for liver transplantation. METHODS: One hundred twenty-seven consecutive patients referred for liver transplantation evaluation were prospectively enrolled and underwent pulse oximetry, contrast echocardiography, and arterial blood gas measurements on room air. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-one (32%) patients were found to have hepatopulmonary syndrome. There were no significant differences in demographic or clinical features compared with patients without hepatopulmonary syndrome, with the exception of pulse oximetry and oxygenation abnormalities. With a threshold value of <96%, pulse oximetry had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 88%, respectively, for detecting patients with a partial pressure of oxygen <60 mm Hg. Receiver operator characteristic analysis revealed that a pulse oximetry value of < or =94% detected all patients with a partial pressure of oxygen <60 mm Hg with an increased specificity of 93%. In addition, higher pulse oximetry thresholds reliably identified HPS patients with less severe hypoxemia, albeit with lower specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Pulse oximetry is a simple, low cost, and widely available technique that reliably predicts the presence and severity of hypoxemia in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome. Institution of pulse oximetry screening might enhance detection and improve management of hepatopulmonary syndrome in cirrhosis.

Risk of aspiration pneumonia in suspected variceal hemorrhage: the value of prophylactic endotracheal intubation prior to endoscopy.

Variceal hemorrhage (VH) is a lethal complication of portal hypertension. Aspiration occurring during endoscopic intervention for acute VH is a concern; however, few data exist regarding the efficacy of prophylactic intubation to prevent aspiration pneumonia. We reviewed all endoscopic procedures for acute VH from January 1995 to December 2002; only patients with the absence of hepatic encephalopathy greater than stage II and normal chest x-ray at admission were included. The use of prophylactic intubation, post-procedure chest x-ray, and mortality were recorded. Sixty-two patients (69 bleeding episodes) were identified. Elective intubation was performed in 42 patients (47 episodes); pulmonary infiltrates developed in 7 of 42 (17%), with an overall mortality rate of 9 of 42 (21%). Twenty patients (22 episodes) were not intubated. None developed pulmonary infiltrates, and the overall mortality rate was 1 in 20 (5%). We conclude that in patients with suspected variceal bleeding, elective intubation is associated with a substantial risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Cost-effectiveness of screening for hepatopulmonary syndrome in liver transplant candidates.

The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is present in 15-20% of patients with cirrhosis undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) evaluation. Both preoperative and post-OLT mortality is increased in HPS patients particularly when hypoxemia is severe. Screening for HPS could enhance detection of OLT candidates with sufficient hypoxemia to merit higher priority for transplant and thereby decrease mortality. However, the cost-effectiveness of such an approach has not been assessed. Our objective was to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis from a third-party payer's perspective of screening for HPS in liver OLT candidates. The costs and outcomes of 3 different strategies were compared: (1) no screening, (2) screening patients with a validated dyspnea questionnaire, and (3) screening all patients with pulse oximetry. Arterial blood gas analyses and contrast echocardiography were performed in patients with dyspnea or a pulse oximetry (SpO(2)) < or =97% to define the presence of HPS. A Markov model was constructed simulating the natural history of cirrhosis in a cohort of patients 50 years old over a time horizon of their remaining life expectancy. Transition probabilities were obtained from published data available through Medline and U.S. vital statistics. Costs represented Medicare reimbursement data at our institution. Costs and health effects were discounted at a 3% annual rate. No screening was associated with a total cost of 291,898 dollars and a life expectancy of 11.131 years. Screening with pulse oximetry was associated with a cost of 299,719 dollars and a life expectancy of 12.27 years. Screening patients with the dyspnea-fatigue index was associated with a cost and life expectancy of 300,278 dollars and 12.28 years, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of screening with pulse oximetry (compared to no screening) was 6,867 dollars per life year gained, whereas that of the dyspnea-fatigue index (compared to pulse oximetry) was 55,900 dollars per life year gained. The cost-effectiveness of screening depended on the prevalence and severity of HPS, and the choice of screening strategy was dependent on the sensitivity of the screening modality. In conclusion, screening for HPS, especially with pulse oximetry, is a cost-effective strategy that improves survival in transplant candidates predominantly by targeting the transplant to the subgroup of patients most likely to benefit. The utility of screening depends on the prevalence and severity of HPS in the target population.

Economical and clinical outcomes of alternative treatment strategies in the management of common bile duct stones in the elderly: wait and see or surgery?

BACKGROUND: Common bile duct stones (CBDS) are especially prevalent in the elderly population. Although the standard of care for stone removal is endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with sphincterotomy (ERC-S), the clinician's decision to refer a patient for cholecystectomy after ERC-S depends on several factors including potential for future biliary symptoms and complications, morbidity and mortality related to cholecystectomy, and costs associated with referral for cholecystectomy versus conservative approach. Using decision analysis, we explored the economic implications of cholecystectomy versus expectant management following ERC-S in elderly patients with CBDS. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A decision tree was constructed with DATA 3.5 (Williamstown, MA) to estimate the costs and outcomes associated with two treatment strategies following ERC-S for CBDS in patients age 60 yr and older: (1) elective cholecystectomy, and (2) expectant management. Probabilities for potential complications and outcomes were derived from the medical literature and cost reflected Medicare reimbursement rates at our institution. The time horizon of the analysis was 2 yr. RESULTS: Elective cholecystectomy was associated with total costs of 5,259 dollars with 94.3% of the cohort alive (1.886 life-years) at 2 yr, whereas expectant management was associated with total costs of 1,173 dollars with 94.7% of the cohort alive (1.894 life-years). The results were sensitive to the probability of recurrent biliary symptoms in patients treated conservatively. Compared to elective cholecystectomy, expectant management became less effective and more expensive at a yearly probability of recurrent symptoms greater than 40% and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients aged 60 and older, expectant management after ERC-S for CBDS is a reasonable approach, but the economic attractiveness of this strategy is highly dependent on the probability of recurrent symptoms.

Expandable metal biliary stents before pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer: a Monte-Carlo decision analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Endoscopic placement of plastic or self-expandable metal biliary stents (SEMS) relieves obstructive jaundice from pancreatic cancer. Short-length, distally placed SEMS do not preclude subsequent pancreaticoduodenectomy. We sought to determine whether SEMS placement in patients whose surgical status is uncertain is cost-effective for management of obstructive jaundice. METHODS: A Markov model was constructed to evaluate costs and outcomes associated with endoscopic biliary stenting for obstructive jaundice. Strategies evaluated were: (1) initial plastic stent with plastic stents for subsequent occlusions in nonsurgical candidates after staging (plastic followed-up by [f/u] plastic), (2) initial plastic with subsequent SEMS (plastic f/u metal), (3) initial short-length SEMS with subsequent plastic (metal f/u plastic), and (4) initial short-length SEMS with subsequent expandable metal stent (metal f/u metal). Published stent occlusion rates, ERCP complication rates and outcomes, cholangitis rates and outcomes, pancreatic cancer mortality rates, and Whipple complication rates were used. Costs were based on 2004 Medicare standard allowable charges and were accrued until all patients reached an absorbing health state (death or pancreaticoduodenectomy) or 24 cycles (24 mo) ended. RESULTS: Average costs per patient from Monte Carlo simulation were: (1) metal f/u metal, $19,935; (2) plastic f/u metal, 20,157 dollars; (3) metal f/u plastic, 20,871 dollars; and (4) plastic f/u plastic, 20,878 dollars. For initial plastic stents to be preferred over short-length metal stents, 70% or more of pancreatic cancers would need to be potentially resectable by pancreaticoduodenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing ERCP before definitive cancer staging, short-length SEMS is the preferred initial cost-minimizing strategy.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome.

The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is an important and often under-recognized vascular complication of cirrhosis and portal hypertension characterized by pulmonary vascular dilatation, which results in hypoxemia. This syndrome is identified in as many as 20% of patients who are evaluated for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), and it has recently been found to increase mortality in affected patients, particularly when hypoxemia is severe. Currently, OLT is the only therapy established to reverse intrapulmonary vasodilatation, although postoperative mortality is increased in patients with severe hypoxemia. No randomized controlled trials of pharmacologic therapies have been undertaken, but supplemental oxygen improves oxygenation. Data derived from case reports, small studies, and experimental models suggest that pharmacologic therapies may be effective. In cirrhotic patients with HPS, particularly those with moderate hypoxemia (PaO2 < 60 mmHg), OLT should be considered prior to the development of severe deoxygenation. Supplemental oxygen should be given to patients with a PaO2 < 60 mmHg or those with exercise oxygen desaturation. For those patients with mild hypoxemia or those who are not OLT candidates, a trial of pharmacologic treatment may be considered.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome.

The hepatopulmonary syndrome is an increasingly important vascular complication of cirrhosis where microvascular dilatation impairs arterial oxygenation in the setting of liver disease. This syndrome is identified in as many as 20% of patients evaluated for liver transplantation and results in increased mortality. No clearly effective medical therapies are available, and liver transplantation is the only established treatment. Pathophysiologic insights obtained from experimental models may lead to the development of novel and effective medical treatments.

Carboxyhemoglobin levels in cirrhotic patients with and without hepatopulmonary syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Heme oxygenase (HO) catalyzes hemoglobin into bilirubin, iron, and carbon monoxide (CO), a known vasodilator. HO expression and CO production as measured by blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels increase in experimental hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and contribute to vasodilatation. Whether CO contributes to HPS in humans is unknown. Our aim was to assess if arterial COHb levels are increased in cirrhotic patients with HPS relative to those without HPS. METHODS: We collected data prospectively in stable nonsmoking outpatients with cirrhosis. Demographic and clinical data and room-air arterial blood gases were collected and analyzed. HPS was diagnosed using established criteria. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients were studied. HPS was present in 27 (17%) patients. Mean age was 52 +/- 9 years, 54% were men, and hepatitis C and/or alcohol were the most common causes (53%). Fourteen percent were Child-Pugh class A, 53% were Child-Pugh class B, and 33% were Child-Pugh class C. Demographic and clinical features were similar between HPS and non-HPS patients except for the Child-Pugh score, which was lower in patients with HPS. Arterial Pa o 2 levels were lower and the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was higher in patients with HPS ( P < .001). COHb levels were increased in HPS relative to non-HPS ( P < .001) and correlated with Pa o 2 ( P < .001) and Aa po 2 ( P < .001) levels. CONCLUSIONS: COHb levels are increased in cirrhotic patients with HPS and correlate with gas exchange abnormalities. These results are consistent with findings in experimental HPS and suggest that CO may contribute to human HPS.

Effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt on pulmonary gas exchange in patients with portal hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome.

AIM: To assess the impact of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on pulmonary gas exchange and to evaluate the use of TIPS for the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome ( HPS ). METHODS: Seven patients, three of them with advanced HPS, in whom detailed pulmonary function tests were performed before and after TIPS placement at the University of Alabama Hospital and at the Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, were considered. RESULTS: TIPS patency was confirmed by hemodynamic evaluation. No changes in arterial blood gases were observed in the overall subset of patients. Transient arterial oxygenation improvement was observed in only one HPS patient, early after TIPS, but this was not sustained 4 mo later. CONCLUSION: TIPS neither improved nor worsened pulmonary gas exchange in patients with portal hypertension. This data does not support the use of TIPS as a specific treatment for HPS. However, it does reinforce the view that TIPS can be safely performed for the treatment of other complications of portal hypertension in patients with HPS.

Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A infection is typically transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Symptomatic infection is highly dependent on the age of the patient and usually follows a self-limited course. Once diagnosed, clinical and biochemical follow-up in the outpatient setting is generally appropriate. Treatment aims are to achieve symptomatic relief and to maintain adequate hydration and caloric intake. In patients with more severe disease, hospitalization may be needed to accomplish aggressive symptomatic therapy and close monitoring of liver function tests and mental status. Prompt evaluation for liver transplantation is appropriate in the rare case where fulminant liver failure develops. Given the absence of specific therapy for hepatitis A virus infection, the most important health care intervention is prevention of infection and/or transmission, which can be accomplished with the safe and effective use of immune globulin and commercially available vaccines.

A cost-minimization analysis of alternative strategies in diagnosing pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Several modalities currently exist for tissue confirmation of suspected pancreatic cancer prior to therapy. Since there is a paucity of cost-minimization studies comparing these different biopsy modalities, we analyzed costs and examined effectiveness of four alternative strategies for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. METHODS: A decision analysis model of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer was constructed. We analyzed costs, failure rate, testing characteristics, and complication rates of four commonly employed diagnostic modalities: 1) computerized tomography or ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (CT/US-FNA), 2) endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with brushings (ERCP-B), 3) Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA), and 4) laparoscopic surgical biopsy. If the first attempt with a particular modality failed, a different modality was employed to identify the most preferable secondary biopsy strategy. RESULTS: This analysis identifies EUS-FNA as the preferred initial modality for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Resultant expected costs and strategies in decreasing optimality include: 1) EUS-FNA (1,405 dollars), 2) ERCP-B (1,432 dollars), 3) CT/US-FNA (3,682 dollars), and 4) surgery (17,711 dollars). If a patient presents with obstructive jaundice, decision analysis modeling resulted in a total expected costs of 1,970 dollars if ERCP-B is successful at the time of biliary stent placement. Additional analyses to identify the preferred follow-up modality after a failed alternative method showed that EUS-FNA is the preferred secondary modality if any of the other three modalities failed first, in both the setting of and absence of obstructive jaundice. One- and two-way sensitivity analysis of the variables shows unchanged results over an acceptable range. CONCLUSIONS: This cost-minimization study illustrates that EUS-FNA is the best initial and the preferred secondary alternative method for the diagnosis of suspected pancreatic cancer. In addition to local expertise and availability, costs and diagnostic yield should be considered when choosing an optimal diagnostic strategy.

Re-examination of the cost-effectiveness of surgical versus medical therapy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: the value of long-term data collection.

OBJECTIVES: For patients with reflux esophagitis, long-term therapeutic options include proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and/or antireflux surgery. An earlier cost-effectiveness analysis concluded that at 5 yr, medical therapy was less expensive but similarly effective to fundoplication, but the results were sensitive to estimates on quality of life and long-term medication usage, which were derived from "expert opinion." Recently, data from randomized controlled trials addressing these variables have become available. We have incorporated these new data into a revised Markov model to examine the cost-effectiveness of surgical versus medical therapy in patients with severe reflux esophagitis. METHODS: A Markov simulation model was constructed using specialized software (DATA PRO 4.0, Williamstown, MA). Total expected costs and quality-adjusted life-years were calculated for long-term medical therapy and for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Probabilities were obtained from the medical literature using Medline. Procedural and hospitalization costs used were the average Medicare reimbursements at our institution. Medication costs were the average wholesale price. The analysis was extended over a 10-yr time horizon at a discount rate of 3%. RESULTS: The discounted analysis shows that medical therapy is associated with total costs of 8,798 dollars and 4.59 quality-adjusted life-years, whereas the surgical strategy is more expensive (10,475 dollars) and less effective (4.55 quality-adjusted life-years). The results were robust to most one-way sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors is the preferred strategy for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and severe esophagitis. Our study highlights the importance of using primary, patient-derived data rather than expert opinion.

Influence of hepatic encephalopathy on health-related quality of life in patients with cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is associated with decrements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), but the specific effects of encephalopathy, especially subclinical, on quality of life are incompletely understood. Therefore, the aim of our study was to define the effects of encephalopathy on specific domains of HRQOL in a sample of patients with advanced liver disease. The sample consisted of 160 patients with cirrhosis presenting for liver transplantation evaluation. Health-related quality of life was measured with the Short Form-36 questionnaire. Clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were collected. The presence and degree of encephalopathy was ascertained clinically and by the use of the Reitan trail test. HRQOL scores were compared according to liver disease severity and to the presence and degree of encephalopathy. In addition, scores were compared to US population norms. Data were obtained from 148 patients. Compared to the US general population, the physical and mental component summary scores were lower in patients with cirrhosis. Among patients with cirrhosis, there were no significant differences in the physical and mental component summary scores according to age, gender, ethnicity, and etiology (hepatocellular versus/cholestatic and HCV versus non-HCV). Increasing severity of liver disease (based on the Child-Pugh score), a history of hospitalizations, and a history of ascites were associated with decreased physical component summary scores but not mental component summary scores. Patients with encephalopathy (overt and subclinical) had decreased physical and mental component summary scores compared to patients without encephalopathy. Compared to patients without encephalopathy, those with subclinical encephalopathy had a lower mental component summary score. In conclusion, cirrhosis is associated with a decreased HRQOL, especially at advanced stages. Increased severity of liver disease is associated with decreased physical aspects of quality of life. Overt hepatic encephalopathy negatively affects both physical and mental aspects of quality of life, whereas subclinical encephalopathy affects mainly the mental aspects, independently of liver disease severity.

Cost implications of administering intravenous proton pump inhibitors to all patients presenting to the emergency department with peptic ulcer bleeding.

OBJECTIVES: Administering proton pump inhibitors (PPI) intravenously (iv) after endoscopic treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers reduces the incidence of rebleeding, the need for operative procedures, and hospitalizations. We assessed the cost implications of iv PPI initiated in all patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with signs of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding. METHODS: From a third-party payer perspective with a time horizon of 60 days, we built a decision analytic model comparing standard endoscopic therapy to a strategy in which all patients presenting to the ED with UGI bleeding would start iv PPI before endoscopy. After endoscopy, only those with peptic ulcers would be kept on iv PPI added to standard therapy. Probabilities of health events were extracted from published literature. Resource utilization profiles and costs (iv PPI, hospital stay for medical and operative procedures, and professional fees) were based on Medicare reimbursement data from a large hospital in Alabama. All costs were expressed in 2000 US dollars. Uncertainty was investigated through one-way sensitivity analyses and probabilistic analyses using Monte Carlo simulations. RESULTS: In a hypothetical group of 1000 individuals, routine use of iv PPI prevented 40 rebleeds, 9 surgical procedures, and 223 hospital days, and led to incremental savings of dollars 920 per subject. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses indicated that the strategy of using iv PPI was likely to be dominant even when accounting for uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS: Based on available evidence, routine administration of iv PPI to all persons presenting with UGI bleeding represents good value for money and merits consideration as standard hospital policy.

The critically ill liver patient: the variceal bleeder.

Esophageal varices develop in patients with cirrhosis once portal pressure, measured by hepatic venous pressure gradient, and exceeds 10 mm Hg. At a portal pressure of 12 mm Hg, variceal bleeding may develop that is associated with a mortality of 30% to 50% per episode. In addition to an elevated portal pressure, other risk factors for the development of variceal hemorrhage include: variceal size, endoscopic features on the variceal wall (i.e., red wales), and Child-Pugh class. In patients with suspected variceal hemorrhage, the treatment of the acute episode includes intravascular volume expansion, hemostasis through the use of pharmacological agents and endoscopy, and the prevention and treatment of potential complications associated with variceal hemorrhage such as aspiration pneumonia, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatic encephalopathy. Given a high rate of rebleeding, long-term prevention through secondary prophylaxis should be instituted in all patients who have survived an episode of variceal bleeding. Current prophylactic options include: non-selective beta-blockers alone (first line) or in combination with long-acting nitrates (isosorbide mononitrate) and/or endoscopic variceal obliteration achieved through sclerotherapy or preferably, band ligation.

Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis: a cost-utility analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is advocated in cirrhotic patients to optimize early detection and treatment. However, the cost-effectiveness is not well defined. Our objective was to perform a cost-utility analysis from a third-party payer's perspective of no screening, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentration measurement alone, abdominal ultrasound (US) and AFP, abdominal three-phase CT and AFP, and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and AFP. METHODS: A Markov model was constructed simulating the natural history of hepatitis C-related cirrhosis in a cohort of patients age 50 yr over a time horizon of their remaining life expectancy. Transition probabilities were obtained from published data and U.S. vital statistics. Costs represented Medicare reimbursement data. Costs and health effects were discounted at a 3% annual rate. RESULTS: Screening with ultrasonography and AFP concentration measurement was associated with an incremental cost-utility ratio of 26,689 US dollars per quality-adjusted life year, whereas screening with abdominal three-phase CT and AFP concentration measurement was associated with an incremental cost-utility ratio of 25,232 US dollars per quality-adjusted life year compared with no screening. Compared with three-phase CT and AFP, magnetic resonance and AFP imaging costs 118,000 US dollars per quality-adjusted life year. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the results are most sensitive to the annual incidence of HCC, proportion of tumors amenable to treatment, and to transplant candidacy, whereas the choice of screening strategy is most sensitive to the test characteristics and cost. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for HCC with CT is a cost-effective strategy in transplant-eligible patients with cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection, comparable with other commonly accepted screening interventions such as mammography and colonoscopy.

Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma: why, when, how?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major public health concern in many areas of the world, and its incidence is increasing in the United States and other countries. Screening for HCC in patients with cirrhosis has been advocated to identify those with small lesions who would benefit from transplantation or surgical resection. Despite these recommendations, several issues regarding screening remain controversial. No randomized, controlled trials have confirmed that surveillance for HCC reduces disease-specific mortality. In addition, the most appropriate screening test and optimal screening interval have not yet been defined. Clearly, these unresolved questions have a major impact on the cost-effectiveness of a screening program either at the population or the clinic level. A few studies, however, have suggested that screening may be cost-effective because a minor survival benefit could result in a cost that is acceptable to decision makers.

Hepatitis A and considerations regarding the cost-effectiveness of vaccination programs.

Hepatitis A vaccines have demonstrated a high degree of immunogenicity and an excellent safety profile. Immunization of certain populations and patient subgroups is recommended according to specific epidemiological and clinical factors, such as a greater likelihood of acquisition of infection or concerns regarding the risk of development of fulminant hepatitis and death. Therefore, the economic implications of routine and/or targeted vaccination programs in the general population and high-risk individuals have been examined. In this manuscript, the available data from the literature regarding the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis vaccination programs in healthy individuals and in those with chronic liver disease are reviewed.