The economic burden of chronic hepatitis C in Russia

Objective. To define all types of monetary costs that are associated with the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and imposed on society. Materials and methods. The epidemiological burden of CHC, which was subsequently transferring into economic burden, was determined during this investigation. The cost-of-illness study was a methodological basis for measuring the economic burden. Results. In 2013, the epidemiological burden of CHC in Russia was determined by the following main indicators. There were 497,300 registered patients with CHC. The duration of a sick leave for virus hepatitides was 4.9 days longer than that for all causes. The able-bodied-aged disabled persons due to CHC and its outcomes were estimated to be 651 people. At this age, there were 5103 deceased cases related to CHC and its outcomes, which was higher than those due to a number of other diseases in this cohort. The economic burden of HCH and its poor outcomes was 29 billion rubles. The pattern of the burden showed a preponderance of indirect costs, the proportion of which constituted slightly more than half. Conclusion. CHC imposes a substantial epidemiological and economic burden on society. Estimation of the economic burden of CHC will provide a well-reasoned basis to decide whether there is a need for the early treatment of this disease.

chronic hepatitis C, economic burden, direct costs, indirect costs