Sexually Transmitted Diseases | 2021
The Estimated Lifetime Medical Cost of Diseases Attributable to Human Papillomavirus Infections Acquired in 2018.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION\nWe estimated the lifetime medical costs of diagnosed cases of diseases attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV) infections acquired in 2018.\n\n\nMETHODS\nWe adapted an existing mathematical model of HPV transmission and associated diseases to estimate the lifetime number of diagnosed cases of disease (genital warts; cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; and cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers) attributable to HPV infections that were acquired in 2018. For each of these outcomes, we multiplied the estimated number of cases by the estimated lifetime medical cost per case obtained from previous studies. We estimated the costs of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in a separate calculation. Future costs were discounted at 3% annually.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe estimated discounted lifetime medical cost of diseases attributable to HPV infections acquired in 2018 among people aged 15-59 years was $774 million (in 2019 U.S. dollars), of which about half was accounted for by infections in those aged 15-24 years. HPV infections in women accounted for about 90% of the lifetime number of diagnosed cases of disease and 70% of the lifetime cost attributable to HPV infections acquired in 2018 among ages 15-59 years.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nWe estimated the lifetime medical costs of diseases attributable to HPV infections acquired in 2018 to be $774 million. This estimate is lower than previous estimates and likely represents the impact of HPV vaccination. The lifetime cost of disease attributable to incident HPV infections is expected to decrease further over time as HPV vaccination coverage increases.