Explore the latest research on the cost-effectiveness of digital technologies and family-observed Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) for managing Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Ethiopia, India, and Uganda. This study’s findings could revolutionize the approach to MDR-TB treatment, making it more affordable and accessible in regions with high prevalence.
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Cost of digital technologies and family-observed DOT for a shorter MDR-TB regimen: a modelling study in Ethiopia, India and Uganda.
Rosu et al., BMC Health Serv Res 2023
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10295-z
The study presents a decision-tree model to explore the costs of potential alternatives to directly observed treatment (DOT) for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The alternatives include video observed treatment (VOT), 99DOTS, and family-observed DOT. The model was based on data from the STREAM Stage 2 clinical trial and market prices for digital DOT strategies. The results suggest that the standard-of-care DOT is the most expensive from a societal perspective in Ethiopia, India, and Uganda. VOT is the second most expensive due to high health-system costs. However, all three alternatives could reduce patients’ direct and indirect costs by over 90% compared to the standard of care. The study highlights the potential of alternative DOT approaches to significantly reduce patient costs.
Key Findings:
- The standard-of-care DOT is the most expensive treatment strategy in Ethiopia, India, and Uganda.
- VOT, 99DOTS, and family-observed DOT could reduce patients’ costs by over 90% compared to the standard of care.
- Health system costs are higher for VOT and lower for 99DOTS and family-observed therapy.