The direct costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with echinococcosis are substantial in Austria, according to a study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

The study estimated the costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of echinococcosis in Austria using data for 45 patients from a clinical registry maintained at a national reference centre for echinococcosis at the Medical University of Vienna for the period 2012 to 2014. Data from a reference laboratory for echinococcosis and data from the national disease reporting system were also included. A model was developed to evaluate national direct costs associated with echinococcosis.

The total national direct costs were estimated at €486 598 per year per patient with cystic echinococcosis (CE) and €683 824 per year per patient with alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Median costs per patient with AE from diagnosis until the end of a 10-year follow-up period were €30 832 for those with inoperable disease and €62 777 for those with operable disease. For patients with CE, median costs per patient from diagnosis until the end of a 10-year follow-up period were €16 253 for those with active cyst stages and €1786 for those with inactive cyst stages. Hospitalisations and albendazole treatment were the main cost drivers for both CE and AE. The study also showed that the direct costs in the first year after diagnosis were substantially higher than those in later years of follow-up.