Comparing the Cost-Effectiveness of the Carbon-Urea Breath Test and Histology for the Detection of Helicobacter pylori.

Authors

  • Fawzia Peer Assistant Director: Radiographer; Nuclear Medicine), Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban.

Keywords:

Radiography education, research, H pylori infection

Abstract

Approximately 4000 patients are diagnosed annually with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection at King Edward VIII Hospital, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The current method employed for the detection of H pylori is the histological analysis of a biopsy specimen taken at endoscopy. Recently, in South Africa, health budgets devolved from central to provincial governments making each institution responsible for its own budget. This required some changes in strategy in order to find a more cost-effective means of diagnosis without compromising service delivery. This study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the Carbon-14 Urea Breath Test (14C-UBT) with histology for the detection of H pylori in terms of cost-effectiveness. Fifty-two patients, aged between 18-80 years, clinically diagnosed with gastritis and referred for endoscopy were studied. Each patient was assessed by endoscopy with biopsy for histology and a 14C-UBT. The sensitivity and specificity of the 14C-UBT were determined so as to ensure reliability of the 14C-UBT when compared to histology for the detection of H pylori. The sensitivity of the 14C-UBT was calculated to be 82% and the specificity 70%. The provincial public sector cost of the 14C-UBT was calculated to be R135,42 and of the histology inclusive of a biopsy taken on endoscopy was R308,33. The findings of this study clearly indicate that the 14C-UBT provide a more cost-effective option as compared to histology for the detection of H pylori infection.

Author Biography

Fawzia Peer, Assistant Director: Radiographer; Nuclear Medicine), Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban.

ND Rad (D); ND: Rad (NM); M Tech: Rad (DIT University) ND: Human Resource Management (UKZN).

Downloads

Published

2007-01-29

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 2 (2005)

Section

Opinion article

License

Copyright on all published material belongs to the Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA).

I hereby understand and declare that:

  • All proprietary rights other than copyright are reserved to the authors, as well as the right to reproduce original figures and tables from this item in their future works, provided full credit is given to the original publication The South African Radiographer ISSN 0258 0241.
  • In consideration of the reviewing and editing done by the editors of The South African Radiographer of the above named manuscript, the author/s hereby transfer, assign, or otherwise convey all copyright ownership world-wide, in all languages, to the Society of Radiographers of South Africa in the event that this manuscript is accepted for publication.
  • If the manuscript has been commissioned by another person or organisation, or if it has been written as part of the duties of an employee, that full authorization has been given by the representative of the commissioning organisation or employer to be published in the The South African Radiographer.