The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease Attributable to Modifiable Risk Factors and Cost-effectiveness Analysis of IraPEN Program in the General Population of Iran

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) contribute to over 30% of deaths worldwide and more than 40% in Iran in 2019. Establishing a cost-effective program to control cardiovascular diseases is essential for any country. This study aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the primary prevention program (IraPEN) for cardiovascular diseases in Iran. Methods: This methodological cost-effectiveness study was performed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the IraPEN program by modifying cardiovascular disease risk factors in the IraPEN program. We calculated the economic burden of CVDs risk factors from 2016 to 2018 in 4 pilot cities in Iran. We observed 160,833 individuals for 2 years to measure the economic burden of cardiovascular diseases. To estimate the variation of the 1-year risk of cardiovascular illnesses, and according to the study's goal of estimating the 1-year risk of cardiovascular disease, only 36,631 people remained in the study who compiled the program's instruction for 1 year. Propensity scores were used to consider the effect of those excluded from the study. The 10-year risk of CVDs was estimated by the laboratory tests and information registered in the population’s electronic records. To evaluate the effect of the IraPEN program in reducing the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, major CVD risk factors were studied by the World Health Organization formula (whocvdrisk) and cardiovascular diseases risk scoring. We used the 10-year risk for CVDs to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis in terms of cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) saved. Results: According to estimates of the 1-year relative risk reduction in cardiovascular disease, the results showed that relative risk reductions for men and women were 0.74 and 0.65, respectively. Hence, about 174,088 annual acute CVDs events reduction would be expected; this decrease is predicted for men (93,034) more than women (81,054) for the total population of Iran. The total cost of treatment for people with cardiovascular diseases was 165 USD for coronary heart disease or stroke per individual. All risk factors were further reduced in women than men, except for smoking. DALYs averted was 1057.66 for samples who were in the study for a year (36631 samples). The total cost per averted DALY was 47.16. Conclusion: Estimating the costs associated with disease prevention programs is more important in developing countries. The most cost-effective strategies have been preventive therapies that target high-risk individuals. PEN risk reduction programs for primary prevention such as Ira-pen are highly cost-effective and efficient in low- and middle-income countries.