Micro-Costing Analysis of the Economic Burden of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis and Its Comorbidities in Saudi Arabia
Author(s)
Saleh Alqahtani, MD1, Sultan Mohammed Mubarki, PhD2, Yasser Albarakah, Ph3, Mohamed Ahmed, MSc.4, LAILA ABU-ESBA, BSc, MSc, PharmD5, Hana Abdullah Alabdulkarim, BSc, MSc, PhD6, Faisal Abaalkhail, MD7, Mai F. Alsaqaaby, BSc, MSc8, Aditi Aggarwal, Sr., BSc, MSc9, Ashwini Abhishek Bongale, MSc.10, Jomol Jose, BA, MSc11, Prashee Peer, BSc, MSc12.
1Liver, Digestive, and Lifestyle Health Research Section, and Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2King fahd armed foces hospital, jizan, Saudi Arabia, 3Gazan Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 4King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 5NGHA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 6NGH, RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 7Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 8Pharmacoeconomics Specialist, IQVIA Solutions, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 9Indian Institute Of Business Management And Studies (IIBMS), Gurgaon, India, 10IQVIA, Haliyal, India, 11IQVIA, Kottayam, India, 12IQVIA, Gurugram, India.
1Liver, Digestive, and Lifestyle Health Research Section, and Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2King fahd armed foces hospital, jizan, Saudi Arabia, 3Gazan Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 4King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 5NGHA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 6NGH, RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 7Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 8Pharmacoeconomics Specialist, IQVIA Solutions, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 9Indian Institute Of Business Management And Studies (IIBMS), Gurgaon, India, 10IQVIA, Haliyal, India, 11IQVIA, Kottayam, India, 12IQVIA, Gurugram, India.
OBJECTIVES: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) represents a growing public health and economic burden globally and in Saudi Arabia. This is exacerbated by the limited availability of approved treatments and inadequate public health policies to curb its incidence. This study aimed to estimate the direct healthcare costs associated with MASH and its
METHODS: A targeted literature review and a cross-sectional survey of clinical experts (October-December 2024) were conducted to identify healthcare resource utilization and cost inputs. The survey included endocrinologists, hepatologists, cardiologists, oncologists, and diabetologists with 10-15 years of experience. Clinical expert input was used to validate resource use assumptions and supplement gaps in published data. Cost components included diagnostics, outpatient consultations, hospitalizations (including ER visits), pharmacotherapies, and procedures. Unit cost estimates were derived from Ministry of Health fee schedules and published local sources. Costs were analyzed using a micro-costing method and reported in US dollars (USD).
RESULTS: The average annual direct cost per patient increased with disease severity, ranging from USD 4,708.26 at fibrosis stage F0 to USD 104,627.97for hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver transplant costs were USD 75,288.69in the first year and USD 6,301.26annually thereafter. Among comorbidities, distant colon cancer 31,786.29, obesity (USD 19,066.05), and myocardial infarction (USD 15,930) were among the highest cost drivers. The analysis also captured the added economic burden of comorbidities frequently observed in patients with MASH, including diabetes, stroke, and malignancies.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides one of the first detailed micro-costing analyses specifically focused on MASH in Saudi Arabia, revealing a substantial and escalating economic burden, particularly in advanced disease stages and in the presence of comorbidities. These insights are critical for informing healthcare, resource allocation, and the development of targeted interventions to mitigate the growing impact of MASH in the region.
METHODS: A targeted literature review and a cross-sectional survey of clinical experts (October-December 2024) were conducted to identify healthcare resource utilization and cost inputs. The survey included endocrinologists, hepatologists, cardiologists, oncologists, and diabetologists with 10-15 years of experience. Clinical expert input was used to validate resource use assumptions and supplement gaps in published data. Cost components included diagnostics, outpatient consultations, hospitalizations (including ER visits), pharmacotherapies, and procedures. Unit cost estimates were derived from Ministry of Health fee schedules and published local sources. Costs were analyzed using a micro-costing method and reported in US dollars (USD).
RESULTS: The average annual direct cost per patient increased with disease severity, ranging from USD 4,708.26 at fibrosis stage F0 to USD 104,627.97for hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver transplant costs were USD 75,288.69in the first year and USD 6,301.26annually thereafter. Among comorbidities, distant colon cancer 31,786.29, obesity (USD 19,066.05), and myocardial infarction (USD 15,930) were among the highest cost drivers. The analysis also captured the added economic burden of comorbidities frequently observed in patients with MASH, including diabetes, stroke, and malignancies.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides one of the first detailed micro-costing analyses specifically focused on MASH in Saudi Arabia, revealing a substantial and escalating economic burden, particularly in advanced disease stages and in the presence of comorbidities. These insights are critical for informing healthcare, resource allocation, and the development of targeted interventions to mitigate the growing impact of MASH in the region.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE579
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Health Policy & Regulatory, Health Technology Assessment
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
Gastrointestinal Disorders