Background: In the United States, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
is most prevalent among adults born from 1945 through 1965, and
approximately 50% to 75% of infected adults are unaware of their
infection.
Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of birth-cohort
screening.
Design: Cost-effectiveness simulation.
Data Sources: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,
U.S. Census, Medicare reimbursement schedule, and published
sources.
Target Population: Adults born from 1945 through 1965 with 1 or
more visits to a primary care provider annually.
Time Horizon: Lifetime.
Perspective: Societal, health care.
Intervention: One-time antibody test of 1945–1965 birth cohort.
Outcome Measures: Numbers of cases that were identified and
treated and that achieved a sustained viral response; liver disease
and death from HCV; medical and productivity costs; qualityadjusted
life-years (QALYs); incremental cost-effectiveness ratio
(ICER).