Real-world economic burden of hepatitis C and impact of direct-acting antivirals in France: A nationwide claims data analysis

Background and AimsThe economic impact of managing patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the economic burden of chronic HCV infection from a national health insurance perspective and the impact of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) using nationwide real-world data.MethodsPatients with chronic HCV infection were identified from the French Health Insurance Claims Databases (SNDS) and matched for age and sex to the general population. Health resource utilization and reimbursements were summarized according to healthcare expenditure items from 2012 to 2021. The economic burden attributable to chronic HCV infection was evaluated over a 10-year period. Finally, the impact of DAAs was estimated using economic data derived from the SNDS.ResultsA total of 145 187 patients with chronic HCV infection were identified. Among the patients eligible for DAA therapy, 81.5% had received DAA by the end of 2021. Over a 10-year period, managing patients with chronic HCV infection resulted in an additional cost of euro9.71 billion (95% confidence interval [CI]: euro9.66-euro9.78 billion) or euro9191 (95% CI: euro9134-euro9252) per patient per year compared to the general population. After DAA therapy, patients with chronic HCV infection had a higher economic burden than the general population, with an additional cost of euro5781 (95% CI: euro5540-euro6028) per patient at the fifth-year post-DAA therapy.ConclusionsA significant economic burden persists among patients with HCV infection after DAA treatment. The high proportion of patients not treated with DAA therapy supports reinforcing policies for universal access.