Cost-Effectiveness of Dolutegravir as a First-Line Treatment Option in the HIV-1-Infected Treatment-Naive Patients in Russia

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of dolutegravir + abacavir/lamivudine (DTG + ABC/3TC) compared with raltegravir + abacavir/lamivudine (RAL + ABC/3TC) and ritonavir-boosted darunavir + abacavir/lamivudine (DRV/r + ABC/3TC) in HIV-1-infected treatment-naive patients in Russia.

Methods: A dynamic Markov model was developed with five response states and six CD4⁺-based health states. Efficacy estimated as probability of viral suppression (HIV RNA <50 copies/ml) at 48 weeks was obtained from a published network meta-analysis. Baseline cohort characteristics and health state utilities were informed using DTG phase 3 clinical trials. Health care resource use was obtained from literature and costed using published unit costs. Costs (presented in Russian rubles) included antiretroviral drug costs; HIV management costs such as routine care; costs of treating cardiovascular conditions, opportunistic infections, and drug-related adverse effects; and mortality costs. A patient lifetime analysis was conducted using the societal perspective. Outcomes were quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), life-years, incremental cost per QALY ratio, and incremental cost per responder.

Results: The viral suppression rate among patients receiving DTG + ABC/3TC was 71.7% compared with 65.2% for RAL + ABC/3TC and 59.6% for DRV/r + ABC/3TC. The mean duration of response per patient was 116.6 months for DTG + ABC/3TC, 108.6 months for RAL + ABC/3TC, and 98.9 months for DRV/r + ABC/3TC. Total discounted costs for treatment over patient lifetime were RUB 2.89, 5.32, and 4.38 million for DTG + ABC/3TC, RAL + ABC/3TC, and DRV/r + ABC/3TC, respectively. Lifetime discounted QALYs were 12.73 for patients on DTG + ABC/3TC and 12.72 each for patients on RAL + ABC/3TC and DRV/r + ABC/3TC. DTG + ABC/3TC thus dominated the other two alternatives.

Conclusions: With lower costs, higher response rates, and comparable QALYs, DTG + ABC/3TC can be considered as a cost-effective alternative.

Keywords: HIV; Russia; cost effectiveness; dolutegravir; economic analyses.