The cost-effectiveness of ivermectin vs. albendazole in the presumptive treatment of strongyloidiasis in immigrants to the United States

Epidemiol Infect. 2004 Dec;132(6):1055-63. doi: 10.1017/s0950268804003000.

Abstract

The presumptive treatment of parasitosis among immigrants with albendazole has been shown to save both money and lives, primarily via a reduction in the burden of Strongyloides stercoralis. Ivermectin is more effective than albendazole, but is also more expensive. This coupled with confusion surrounding the cost-effectiveness of guiding therapy based on eosinophil counts has led to disparate practices. We used the newly arrived year 2000 immigrant population as a hypothetical cohort in a decision analysis model to examine the cost-effectiveness of various interventions to reduce parasitosis among immigrants. When the prevalence of S. stercoralis is greater than 2%, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of all presumptive treatment strategies were similar. Ivermectin is associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 1700 dollars per QALY gained for treatment with 12 mg ivermectin relative to 5 days of albendazole when the prevalence is 10%. Any presumptive treatment strategy is cost-effective when compared with most common medical interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albendazole / economics*
  • Albendazole / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / economics*
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use*
  • Antinematodal Agents / economics*
  • Antinematodal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Decision Making
  • Emigration and Immigration*
  • Health Care Costs / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Ivermectin / economics*
  • Ivermectin / therapeutic use*
  • Prevalence
  • Strongyloides stercoralis / pathogenicity
  • Strongyloidiasis / drug therapy*
  • Strongyloidiasis / economics
  • Strongyloidiasis / epidemiology
  • Strongyloidiasis / prevention & control
  • United States

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Antinematodal Agents
  • Ivermectin
  • Albendazole