First-line antiretroviral therapy after single-dose nevirapine exposure in South Africa: A cost-effectiveness analysis of the OCTANE trial

Andrea L. Ciaranello, Shahin Lockman, Kenneth A. Freedberg, Michael Hughes, Jennifer Chu, Judith Currier, Robin Wood, Charles B. Holmes, Sandy Pillay, Francesca Conradie, James McIntyre, Elena Losina, Rochelle P. Walensky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The OCTANE trial reports superior outcomes of lopinavir/ritonavir vs. nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) among women previously exposed to single-dose nevirapine to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. However, lopinavir/ritonavir is 12 times costlier than nevirapine. Methods: We used a computer model, with OCTANE and local data, to simulate HIV-infected, single-dose nevirapine-exposed women in South Africa. Outcomes of three alternative ART sequences were projected: no ART (for comparison), first-line nevirapine, and first-line lopinavir/ritonavir. OCTANE data included mean age (31 years) and CD4 cell count (135/μl); median time since single-dose nevirapine (17 months); and 24-week viral suppression efficacy for first-line ART (nevirapine: 85%, lopinavir/ritonavir: 97%). Outcomes included life expectancy, per-person costs (2008 US$), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Results: With no ART, projected life expectancy was 1.6 years and per-person cost was $2980. First-line nevirapine increased life expectancy (15.2 years) and cost ($13 990; cost-effectiveness ratio: $810/year of life saved versus no ART). First-line lopinavir/ritonavir further increased life expectancy to 16.3 years and cost to $15 630 (cost-effectiveness ratio: $1520/year of life saved versus first-line nevirapine). First-line lopinavir/ritonavir cost-effectiveness was sensitive to prevalence of nevirapine-resistant virus at ART initiation, time from single-dose nevirapine exposure to ART initiation (6-12, 12-24, or >24 months), second-line ART efficacies, and outcomes after 24 weeks on ART. Conclusions: First-line lopinavir/ritonavir-based ART is very cost-effective in single-dose nevirapine-exposed, South African women similar to OCTANE participants. Lopinavir/ritonavir should be initiated in women with known nevirapine resistance or single-dose nevirapine exposure less than 12 months prior, or in whom such information is unknown.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)479-492
Number of pages14
JournalAIDS
Volume25
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 20 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • HIV
  • antiretroviral therapy
  • cost-effectiveness
  • mother-to-child transmission
  • single-dose nevirapine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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