title: Cost-effectiveness of introducing a third-generation test for HBsAg in Danish blood donors.
abstract: Owing to the low incidence of hepatitis B in Denmark, screening of blood donors for HBsAg has mostly been done by immunoelectroosmophoresis (IEOP). The purpose of the present study was to carry out a cost-effectiveness analysis prior to the introduction of a third-generation test for HBsAg in Danish blood donors. The analysis was performed on data from a subsequent screening of 48 750 blood units by radioimmunoassay (RIA) 3 weeks after donation. The RIA-pos., IEOP-neg. blood donors identified in the study were evaluated by a follow-up examination, and the recipients of RIA-pos., IEOP-neg. blood units were monitored for up to 9 months as to the development of acute hepatitis B. The study shows that the estimated cost for each prevented case of transfusion-associated hepatitis B in Denmark is US$ 1100 when screening donors not previously tested by a third-generation technique, and US$ 240 000 when screening donors tested before by this technique.
mesh_terms: D001782:Blood Donors; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D003718:Denmark; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens