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Cost-Effectiveness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Screening in Women Older Than 30 Years in the United States
- Jane J. Kim, PhD;
- Jesse Ortendahl, BS; and
- Sue J. Goldie, MD, MPH
Abstract
Background: Women older than 30 years are the main beneficiaries of improved cervical cancer screening with human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing. The role of vaccination against HPV types 16 and 18, which is recommended routinely for preadolescent girls, is unclear in this age group.
Objective: To assess the health and economic outcomes of HPV vaccination in older U.S. women.
Design: Cost-effectiveness analysis with an empirically calibrated model.
Data Sources: Published literature.
Target Population: U.S. women aged 35 to 45 years.
Time Horizon: Lifetime.
Perspective: Societal.
Intervention: HPV vaccination added to screening strategies that differ by test (cytology or HPV DNA testing), frequency, and start age versus screening alone.
Outcome Measures: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (2006 U.S. dollars per quality-adjusted life-year [QALY] gained).
Results of Base-Case Analysis: In the context of annual or biennial screening, HPV vaccination of women aged 35 to 45 years ranged from $116 950 to $272 350 per QALY for cytology with HPV DNA testing for triage of equivocal results and from $193 690 to $381 590 per QALY for combined cytology and HPV DNA testing, depending on age and screening frequency.
Results of Sensitivity Analysis: The probability of HPV vaccination being cost-effective for women aged 35 to 45 years was 0% with annual or biennial screening and less than 5% with triennial screening, at thresholds considered good value for money.
Limitation: The natural history of the disease and the efficacy of the vaccine in older women are uncertain.
Conclusion: Given currently available information, the effectiveness of HPV vaccination for women older than 30 years who are screened seems to be small. Compared with current screening that uses sensitive HPV DNA testing, HPV vaccination is associated with less attractive cost-effectiveness ratios in this population than those for other, well-accepted interventions in the United States.
Primary Funding Source: National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Cancer Society.
Article and Author Information
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Acknowledgment: The authors thank the cervical cancer prevention team at the Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard School of Public Health, for their contributions.
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Grant Support: By the National Cancer Institute (R01 CA93435), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Cancer Society, and also the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (30505) for related work in developing countries.
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Potential Conflicts of Interest: None disclosed.
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Reproducible Research Statement: Study protocol: Available from Dr. Kim (jkim{at}hsph.harvard.edu). Statistical code and data set: Not available.
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Requests for Single Reprints: Jane J. Kim, PhD, Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Center for Health Decision Science, 718 Huntington Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02115; e-mail, jkim{at}hsph.harvard.edu.
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Current Author Addresses: Drs. Kim and Goldie and Mr. Ortendahl: Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Center for Health Decision Science, 718 Huntington Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02115.
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Author Contributions: Conception and design: J.J. Kim, J. Ortendahl, S.J. Goldie.
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Analysis and interpretation of the data: J.J. Kim, J. Ortendahl, S.J. Goldie.
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Drafting of the article: J.J. Kim.
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Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: J.J. Kim, J. Ortendahl, S.J. Goldie.
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Final approval of the article: J.J. Kim, J. Ortendahl, S.J. Goldie.
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Statistical expertise: J.J. Kim, J. Ortendahl.
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Obtaining of funding: S.J. Goldie.
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Administrative, technical, or logistic support: J. Ortendahl, S.J. Goldie.
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Collection and assembly of data: J.J. Kim, J. Ortendahl.
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