Projected cost-effectiveness of repeat high-risk human papillomavirus testing using self-collected vaginal samples in the Swedish cervical cancer screening program

• Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is not currently used in primary cervical cancer screening in Sweden, and corresponding cost-effectiveness is unclear. Objective From a societal perspective, to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of high-risk (HR)-HPV testing using self-collected vaginal samples. Design A cost-effectiveness analysis. Setting The Swedish organized cervical cancer screening program. Methods We constructed a model to simulate the natural history of cervical cancer using Swedish data on cervical cancer risk. For the base-case analysis we evaluated two screening strategies with different screening intervals: (i) cytology screening throughout the woman's lifetime (i.e. conventional cytology strategy) and (ii) conventional cytology screening until age 35years, followed by HR-HPV testing using self-collected vaginal samples in women aged 35years (i.e. combination strategy). Sensitivity analyses were performed, varying model parameters over a significant range of values to identify cost-effective screening strategies. Main outcome measures Average lifetime cost, discounted and undiscounted life-years gained, reduction in cervical cancer risk, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios with and without the cost of added life-years. Results Depending on screening interval, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for the combination strategy ranged from Euro43000 to Euro180000 per life-years gained without the cost of added life-years, and from Euro74000 to Euro206000 with costs of added life-years included. Conclusion The combination strategy with a 5-year screening interval is potentially cost-effective compared with no screening, and with current screening practice when using a threshold value of Euro80000 per life-years gained.

Nyckelord

Cervical cancer

cost-effectiveness

human papillomavirus (HPV)

screening

self-sampling

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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