Assessment of Direct Costs of Human Papillomavirus Related Diseases in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: To collect data on the direct medical costs including costs of diagnosis and management of human papillomavirus (HPV)- related diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

METHODS: This is a two-phase descriptive study involving primary data collection. The first phase consisted of a comprehensive literature review, followed by a second phase where expert interviews were conducted. The study took place from August 2023 to October 2023. A total of 12 key opinion leaders took part in the study. Among them, there were two payers, one medical oncologist, one clinical pharmacist, one infectious disease specialist, and seven oncologists.

RESULTS: The costs per episode of care were estimated in Saudi Arabian Riyals (SAR) for the following HPV-related diseases: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (3,169.7), cervical cancer (75,963.0, 89,852.9 and 96,145.9 for local, regional and distant stages, respectively), vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (1,737.0), vaginal cancer (46,318.9, 45,776.1 and 68,726.7 for local, regional and distant stages, respectively), vulvar cancer (53,438.6, 84,597.9 and 76,515.8 for local, regional and distant stages, respectively), penile cancer (92,034.7, 49,225.9 and 48,758.2 for local, regional and distant stages, respectively), anal cancer (36,786.9, 38,487.7 and 90,598.2 for local, regional and distant stages, respectively), head and neck cancer (50,749.5, 92,708.8 and 59,722.2 for local, regional and distant stages, respectively), genital warts (9,252.3) and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (12,566.6).

CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study providing average costs of HPV-related diseases in KSA and Gulf cooperation council (GCC) region. This cost data will allow policymakers to assess comprehensive burden of HPV-related diseases in KSA, including cost of HPV-related diseases in males, and inform health economic assessment and cost-effectiveness modelling of HPV vaccination programs.