health
Hepatitis C screening by age would save thousands of lives
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 14, 2011
Screening adults ages 46 to 66 for the hepatitis C virus would save an estimated 82,300 lives, compared with current practices, says an Annals of Internal Medicine study published online Nov. 4.
About 4.1 million Americans have HCV, but only 25% to 50% of those chronically infected know they have the virus, the study said (link). Over time, HCV can cause inflammation and permanent liver damage. It is common among people born between 1945 and 1965. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends screening by risk factors, such as intravenous drug use or hemodialysis.
Researchers analyzed 2001-06 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. They found that screening by age would identify 808,580 more chronic HCV cases and cost $15,700 for each quality-adjusted life year gained.
"The [birth-cohort screening] strategy is at least as cost-effective as many routinely administered preventive practices such as breast cancer screening or colorectal screening," said David Rein, PhD, lead study author and principal research scientist for the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/11/14/hlbf1114.htm.
