ABSTRACT
Background: Cervical cancer rates in North Africa have risen in the last 10 years, suggesting that this region might benefit from cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination programs. To assess the potential benefits of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination in North African countries, country-specific data on the prevalence and burden of HPV-related conditions are needed. Objectives: To describe the patterns and estimate the costs of management of cervical cancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and genital warts in Algeria. Methods: This was a descriptive analysis of questionnaire data obtained from a panel of 15 oncologists, gynecologists, and dermatologists (n=5 each). Data on diagnostic and treatment patterns, recurrence, and healthcare resource use (HCRU) were obtained. The costs (in Algerian dinars) associated with diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence were estimated. Results: Diagnosis of CIN was obtained by cytology tests or lesion biopsies; for cervical cancer, lesion biopsies, MRI, and CT scans were the most common diagnostic tests. For CIN, 70% of gynecologists and/or oncologists regularly or always used conization as a treatment. Treatments used regularly or always for cervical cancer included chemotherapy (80%), hysterectomy (70%), and radiation (70%). Annual HCRU per institution included 20 outpatient visits and 15 hospitalizations for CIN, and 50 outpatient visits and 11 hospitalizations for cervical cancer. For genital warts, diagnostic tests performed regularly or always included assays for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis; cervical cytology; and colposcopy. Cryotherapy was the universal first-line treatment. Median per-patient costs associated with diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence were 6750, 19â¯750, and 77â¯750, respectively, for CIN; 53â¯750, 650â¯000, and 431â¯250, respectively, for cervical cancer; and 16â¯075, 15â¯500, and 9250, respectively, for genital warts. Discussion: These results give an estimate of the HCRU and cost of cervical cancer, CIN, and genital warts and highlight the need to assess more precisely the epidemiology of these diseases in Algeria. Conclusions: This study investigated the management of patients with cervical cancer, CIN, or genital warts in Algeria and provided the first estimates of diagnosis and treatment patterns, HCRU, and costs associated with these conditions. These resource use and cost estimates highlight the need to develop prevention strategies for HPV-related pathologies.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV), primarily genotypes 6 and 11, cause the majority of cases of anogenital warts (AGW). Although benign, AGW are associated with a substantial economic and psychosocial burden. Several vaccines have been developed to prevent HPV. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and healthcare resource utilization of AGW in Morocco, as well as the associated costs of treatment from the public healthcare perspective. METHODS: This was a descriptive analysis of questionnaire data obtained via a Delphi panel. The panel consisted of 9 physicians practicing in public hospitals in Morocco (4 dermatologists and 5 obstetricians/gynecologists). The questionnaire collected data on physician and practice characteristics, diagnostic tests and procedures, treatments, and follow-up (including recurrence) of patients with AGW. Questionnaire items on which ≥ 70% of respondents agreed were considered as having consensus. Costs associated with diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up were calculated in Moroccan dirham (MAD) and converted to euros () based on official national price lists for public hospitals and the HCRU estimates from the questionnaire. RESULTS: The physician-estimated prevalence of AGW in Morocco was 1.6%-2.6% in women and 2.0%-5.3% in men. A mean (median) of 6.4 (4) patients per month per physician sought medical attention for AGW. Simple observation was the most common diagnostic method for AGW in both men and women, and excision was the most prescribed therapy (75%), requiring a mean of 2 visits. Recurrence occurred in approximately 27% of patients. The cost per case of managing AGW, including recurrence, was estimated at 2182-2872 MAD (207-272) for women and 2170-2450 MAD (206-233) for men. The total annual cost of medical consultations for AGW in Morocco ranged from 3,271,877 MAD to 4,253,703 MAD (310,828-404,102). CONCLUSIONS: Expert consensus indicates that AGW represent a significant burden to the Moroccan public healthcare system. These data can inform policy makers regarding this vaccine-preventable disease.
ABSTRACT
This systematic literature review was conducted to better understand the epidemiology and burden of varicella across the Middle East, gain insight into the evidence to support using universal varicella vaccination (UVV), and identify potential data gaps. Both epidemiology and economic data on the burden of varicella were limited and varied significantly. Most of the data focussed on varicella burden in the absence of a UVV program. In the absence of UVV, varicella incidence is increasing across this region with varicella infection associated with substantial morbidity. Although limited, data on the impact of vaccination at a population level indicated UVV programs reduce varicella incidence and hospitalizations, in line with global experience. Further research and action are needed to better understand varicella epidemiology in the Middle East, increase awareness and understanding in the region, and provide local data to support national public-health decisions regarding the implementation of UVV programs.
