title: Cost effectiveness of first-line oral antiviral therapies for chronic hepatitis B  : a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic hepatitis B is a common, progressive disease, particularly when viral replication is detected. Oral antivirals can suppress viral replication and prevent or delay the development of cirrhosis and liver-related complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to systematically review the quality of cost-effectiveness evidence on first-line treatment with entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir difumarate (TDF) for patients with chronic hepatitis B.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched electronic databases and retrieved articles published up to October 2011, in which the cost effectiveness of ETV or TDF was compared with that of other oral antivirals. The quality of the studies identified was assessed with a standard checklist for critical appraisal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We selected 16 original papers, all published in the last 5 years. There was a conflict of interest in 12 of the 16 studies due to sponsorship by the corresponding pharmaceutical companies. According to the validity assessment, ten studies were classified as high quality. Five studies performed a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing ETV with TDF; they concluded that TDF dominates ETV. The other 11 studies compared ETV or TDF with other strategies; all concluded that ETV and TDF are both cost-effective interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This systematic review shows that there is valid evidence suggesting that ETV and TDF are cost-effective interventions for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B in many health systems. In countries where both alternatives are available, it appears that TDF dominates ETV. These results could help decision makers and clinicians to understand economic issues regarding the available drugs for first-line treatment of hepatitis B.
authors: Servicio de Hepatologia, Hospital General Universitario Valle de Hebron, Paseo Valle de Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. mbuti@vhebron.net
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Buti
authors: Itziar
authors: I
authors: Oyagüez
authors: Virginia
authors: V
authors: Lozano
authors: Miguel A
authors: MA
authors: Casado
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017048:Health Care Costs; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D018803:Models, Economic; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D000068698:Tenofovir
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D063065:Organophosphonates; C413685:entecavir; D006147:Guanine; D000068698:Tenofovir; D000225:Adenine