Costs of treatment, follow-up, and complications of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have addressed the indirect costs of chronic hepatitis B and C, and none has assessed the real costs of these conditions, including indirect costs caused by loss of work, in Turkey. AIMS: This study therefore analysed the costs of treatment, follow-up, and complications of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections to the community. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study analysed patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C treated at Pamukkale University Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Clinic, Denizli, Turkey between June 2009 and June 2010. Costs of antiviral treatment and follow-up were calculated from patients' medical records, and indirect costs were analysed from questionnaires completed by patients. RESULTS: Data were analysed for 284 patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Indirect, hospital, treatment and total expenses were significantly higher for patients with chronic hepatitis B than for inactive hepatitis B virus carriers and patients with chronic hepatitis C. Hospital and total expenses of patients with complications were significantly higher than for patients with chronic hepatitis C. Hospital and total expenses were significantly higher for patients with than for individuals without cirrhosis. Indirect, hospital, treatment and total costs of patients were significantly higher for patients receiving combination therapy than monotherapy. CONCLUSION: Reducing the costs to society of chronic hepatitis requires the development of protection and screening programs.