@article{Athanasakis2021-cu,
title = {A 10-year economic analysis of HIV management in Greece:
evidence of efficient resource allocation},
author = {Kostas Athanasakis and Vasiliki Naoum and Panagiota Naoum and Nikos Nomikos and Dorina Theodoratou and John Kyriopoulos},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-12-01},
journal = {Curr Med Res Opin},
volume = {38},
number = {2},
pages = {265--271},
address = {England},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence has
substantially increased over the years, leading to increased
direct medical costs. The aim of the present study was to assess
the long-term cost of HIV care in Greece incurred over the last
decade. METHODS: In order to assess the long-term cost of HIV
care, a cost analysis was undertaken for three discrete time
points (which reflect major changes in the HIV treatment
paradigm), incorporating the evolution of the cost of
pharmaceuticals, hospitalization, primary care visits and
diagnostic tests. The cost per life year gained (LYG) was also
estimated. RESULTS: Total cost of HIV care increased by 57% over
the last decade (€53.7 million in 2010 vs €84.5 million in 2019),
which can be mainly attributed to a 107% (5084 in 2010 vs.
10,523 in 2019) increase observed in the number of people living
with HIV (PLWH) under care. As a result, the cost per person on
treatment has decreased by 24.0% (€10,567 in 2010 vs €8032 in
2019). Lifetime cost was lower and life expectancy higher in 2019
compared to 2010, leading to a - €711 cost per LYG, suggesting
that the current treatment paradigm produces better health
outcomes at a lower cost compared to a decade ago, implying that
resources are used in a more efficient way. CONCLUSION: The paper
presents some evidence towards the direction that HIV management
in Greece can be considered efficient in both clinical and
financial terms, as it offers measurable clinical outcomes at
well-controlled, almost inelastic spending.},
keywords = {HIV; HIV care; HIV cost; cost analysis; disease management; efficiency},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
OBJECTIVE: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence has
substantially increased over the years, leading to increased
direct medical costs. The aim of the present study was to assess
the long-term cost of HIV care in Greece incurred over the last
decade. METHODS: In order to assess the long-term cost of HIV
care, a cost analysis was undertaken for three discrete time
points (which reflect major changes in the HIV treatment
paradigm), incorporating the evolution of the cost of
pharmaceuticals, hospitalization, primary care visits and
diagnostic tests. The cost per life year gained (LYG) was also
estimated. RESULTS: Total cost of HIV care increased by 57% over
the last decade (€53.7 million in 2010 vs €84.5 million in 2019),
which can be mainly attributed to a 107% (5084 in 2010 vs.
10,523 in 2019) increase observed in the number of people living
with HIV (PLWH) under care. As a result, the cost per person on
treatment has decreased by 24.0% (€10,567 in 2010 vs €8032 in
2019). Lifetime cost was lower and life expectancy higher in 2019
compared to 2010, leading to a - €711 cost per LYG, suggesting
that the current treatment paradigm produces better health
outcomes at a lower cost compared to a decade ago, implying that
resources are used in a more efficient way. CONCLUSION: The paper
presents some evidence towards the direction that HIV management
in Greece can be considered efficient in both clinical and
financial terms, as it offers measurable clinical outcomes at
well-controlled, almost inelastic spending.