Cost-effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy screening: the current guideline versus no screening and reduced regimens

Objective Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) effectively treats autoimmune diseases but prolonged use may lead to retinopathy and subsequent vision loss. Guidelines suggest annual follow-up after 5 years for low-risk and 1 year for high-risk patients. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of current screening guidelines and a reduced regimen in the Netherlands from a societal perspective. Methods A Markov model assessed costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for current and reduced screening regimens. The model included 359 HCQ-treated patients from Radboud University Medical Center. Cost-effectiveness was examined in the general population and patients using 6.0 mg/kg HCQ per day for several reduced regimens. Results Compared to no screening, the current screening guideline saves costs (i.e., €210 per patient), while gaining QALYs (i.e., 0.79 QALY per patient) over a lifetime in the Netherlands. However, in patients receiving 6.0 mg/kg per day, initiating annual screening with an SD-OCT after 5 years was more cost-effective than the current guideline. Conclusions Screening for HCQ retinopathy is cost-effective, but delayed initiation and a reduced frequency, using solely an SD-OCT, are more cost-effective. We recommend screening with an SD-OCT and a biennial regimen after 10 years for low-risk patients, an annual regimen after 5 years for intermediate- and high-risk patients.