Healthcare resource utilisation pattern and costs associated with herpes simplex virus diagnosis and management: a systematic review

ObjectivesLittle is known about the economic burden of herpes simplex virus (HSV) across countries. This article aims to summarise existing evidence on estimates of costs and healthcare resource utilisation associated with genital and neonatal HSV infection.DesignSystematic literature review.Data sourcesSeven databases were searched from inception to 31 August 2020. A focused search was performed to supplement the results.Eligibility criteriaStudies which reported either healthcare resource utilisation or costs associated with HSV-related healthcare, including screening, diagnosis and treatment of genital HSV infection and neonatal herpes prevention and treatment.Data extraction and synthesisTwo independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the Larg and Moss’s checklist. All data were summarised narratively.ResultsOut of 11 443 articles, 38 were included. Most studies (35/38, 94.6%) were conducted in high-income countries, primarily the United States, and were more often related to the prevention or management of neonatal herpes (n=21) than HSV genital ulcer disease (n=17). Most analyses were conducted before 2010. There was substantial heterogeneity in the reporting of HSV-related healthcare resource utilisation, with 74%–93% individuals who sought care for HSV, 11.6%–68.4% individuals who received care, while neonates with herpes required a median of 6–34 hospitalisation days. The costs reported were similarly heterogeneous, with wide variation in methodology, assumptions and outcome measures between studies. Cost for screening ranged from US$7–100, treatment ranged from US$0.53–35 for an episodic therapy, US$240–2580 yearly for suppressive therapy, while hospitalisation for neonatal care ranged from US$5321–32 683.ConclusionsA paucity of evidence exists on healthcare resource utilisation and costs associated with HSV infection, especially among low-income and middle-income countries. Future research is needed on costs and healthcare utilisation patterns to improve overall understanding of the global economic burden of HSV.