Medical and Economic Burden of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients at Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital
Chuenrutai Yeekian MNS***, Nopavut Geratikornsupak MD*, Pongsak Chumpongthong MD*, Sirinat Tongsiri MD**, Jittima Dhitavat MD***, Benjaluck Phonrat MSc***, Punnee Pitisuttithum MBBS, DTM&H***
Affiliation : * Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Chonburi, Thailand ** Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand *** Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To study and to compare the medical and economic burden among chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.
Material and Method: A prospective observational study was conducted among 129 adult CHB patients. The medical
burden was assessed by using the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) at initial
day, the six and 12-month follow-up. The economic burden was assessed in term of total cost per case per year.
Results : At one-year follow-up, the mean age of 129 patients was 41.6 (SD = 11.8) years. For medical burden at over time,
CHB with antiviral drugs (ARV) for hepatitis B infection had a significant decreased in percentage of anxiety, and increased
the mean (SD) CLDQ score. The mean total costs per case per year of CHB without ARV (52 cases), CHB with antiviral
drugs (50 cases), and CHB with cirrhosis/hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with ARV (27 cases) were significantly different
(p<0.001) with USD 615.9 (SD = 688.0), 1,777.4 (SD = 1,220.4), and 2,651.3 (SD = 3,885.0), respectively.
Conclusion : CHB causes a great economic burden in Thailand. Early antiviral drugs treatment prevents complication in
CHB patients.
Keywords : Chronic hepatitis B, Economic burden, Medical burden
