Although more demand for screening for dementia is envisaged, the cost-effectiveness of opportunistic population screening for dementia at a nationwide level has never been directly investigated. Since 2010, Korea has implemented "the National Dementia Early Detection Program" (NDEDP) for the aged. This study aims to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the NDEDP of Korea and to explore the requirements for enhancing its cost-effectiveness. A Markov model was developed to simulate the disease progression of dementia patients. Data sources for the model parameters included the NDEDP database for cohort characteristics and other national representative data. The model's estimates of the expected costs and Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) for each strategy were used to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of screening compared to no screening, and sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of key variables on the cost-effectiveness. Screening showed that the cost per QALY gained ranged from $24,150 to $35,661 depending on the age group. The probability of screening being cost-effective was highest in the group over 75 years old in a wide range of willingness to pay (WTP). The implementation of an opportunistic screening program for dementia can be cost-effective depending on disease severity, treatment effect, costs by disease stage, ages of the participants, and the societal WTP. Above all things, improving access to more effective therapies in slowing the course of the disease is essential since the main benefit of earlier diagnosis for dementia is starting early treatment and subsequent savings. Although it is too early to conclude the cost-effectiveness of opportunistic population screening for dementia, this current study may be a meaningful step toward generating practical evidence for implementing an effective and efficient dementia screening program.
Keywords: Cost-effectiveness; dementia; early diagnosis; opportunistic population screening.