Prevention of human immunodeficiency virus-related opportunistic infections in France: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Abstract

A simulation model of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, which incorporated French data on the progression of HIV disease in the absence of antiretroviral therapy and on cost, was used to determine the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of different strategies for the prevention of opportunistic infections in French patients who receive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Compared with use of no prophylaxis, use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) increased per-person lifetime costs from €185,600 to €187,900 and quality-adjusted life expectancy from 112.2 to 113.7 months, for an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €18,700 per quality-adjusted life-year (€/QALY) gained. Compared with use of TMP-SMZ alone, use of TMP-SMZ plus azithromycin cost €23,900/QALY gained; adding fluconazole cost an additional €54,500/QALY gained. All strategies that included oral ganciclovir had cost-effectiveness ratios that exceeded €100,000/QALY gained. In the era of HAART, on the basis of French data, prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, toxoplasmic encephalitis, and Mycobacterium avium complex bacteremia is cost-effective. Prophylaxis against fungal and cytomegalovirus infections is less cost-effective than are other therapeutic options for HIV disease and should remain of lower priority.