Cost Analysis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment in Central Taiwan

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.20160322.32(6).001

Zong-Cheng Pan¹, Chiung-Wen Chang², Shao-Hui Tsai², Wan-Zhen Lin³,Siou-Jin Jheng⁴, Pei-fang Lai², Min-Cheng Lin², Ching-Fen Ko^2,5,Yi-Hsien Cho⁶, Chelsea Zhu⁷, Sung-Hsi Wei^1,2＊

2016 Vol.32 NO.6

Correspondence Author： Sung-Hsi Wei^1.2＊

Abstract：

Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is pivotal for tuberculosis control. The standard regimen for LTBI treatment is daily 300 mg Isoniazid for 9 months (9H). A new regimen using weekly 900mg Isoniazid and 900mg Rifapentine (3HR) for 3 months has been demonstrated to be effective in LTBI treatment. Cost analysis on 9H and 3HR treatment strategy remains none in Taiwan. Cost of LTBI treatment in an urban area, Taichung City, and a rural area, Nantou County, between 2011 and 2013 was obtained and analyzed. Medical cost, direct observation preventive therapy cost, and socioeconomic cost were estimated. The cost of LTBI treatment in Taichung City is NTD 28,773.9 and NTD 12,282.9 for 9H and 3HR regimens, respectively. The cost of LTBI treatment in Nantou County is NTD 31,679.1 and NTD 12,195.9 for 9H and 3HR regimens, respectively. The cost saving effect of 3HR was higher in Nantou County than that in Taichung City. LTBI treatment using 3HR regimen was cost saving both in urban and rural settings in Taiwan, compared with that using 9H regimen. The cost saving effect of 3HR regimen was more significant in rural than that in urban areas.