Primary prophylaxis of disseminated histoplasmosis in HIV patients in French Guiana: arguments for cost effectiveness

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013 Dec;89(6):1195-8. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0082. Epub 2013 Oct 14.

Abstract

Histoplasmosis is the first cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related deaths in French Guiana. Cohort data were used to determine whether primary prophylaxis with 100 mg itraconazole for patients with CD4 counts < 150/mm(3) was cost-effective with different scenarios. For a scenario where 12% of patients died, 60% were aware of their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and adherence was only 50%, primary prophylaxis would prevent 1 death and 9 cases of histoplasmosis for a cost of 36,792 Euros per averted death, 1,533 per life-year saved, 4,415 Euros per averted case, when only counting the costs of itraconazole prophylaxis. Taking into account the total costs of hospitalization showed that primary prophylaxis would allow a savings of 185,178 Euros per year. Even in a scenario of low adherence, primary prophylaxis would be cost-effective in French Guiana, and presumably in the rest of the Guianas and the Amazon.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / complications
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / economics
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / mortality
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / prevention & control*
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / economics*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Female
  • French Guiana / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / economics
  • HIV Infections / mortality
  • Histoplasmosis / complications
  • Histoplasmosis / economics
  • Histoplasmosis / mortality
  • Histoplasmosis / prevention & control*
  • Hospitalization / economics
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Incidence
  • Itraconazole / administration & dosage
  • Itraconazole / economics*
  • Male

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole