Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is a leading cause of cervical cancer. The National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) implemented HR-HPV primary screening to detect HR-HPV infections in the Netherlands in 2017. The choice of HR-HPV test (mRNA or DNA) used in screening programmes can impact resource use and costs, follow-up testing and referral for colposcopy.
A decision tree model was adapted from a previously published model in England to represent the current cervical screening flowchart in the Netherlands. The model estimates the impact on costs, the number of colposcopies, HR-HPV and cytology tests of using an mRNA assay compared to a DNA assay for a cohort aged 30 to 65 years. Results found adopting an mRNA HR-HPV test instead of a DNA test as part of the NCSP in the Netherlands, gave an estimated €1.8M in total cost savings annually. The results from the model are comparable to results for other countries including England, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, and France.
Dombrowski C, Weston G, Adams E. Evaluating the benefits and costs of using an mRNA versus DNA HR-HPV assay in the National Cervical Screening Programme in the Netherlands. Poster presented at: EUROGIN International Multidisciplinary HPV Congress; 2021 May 30 – June 1; Virtual