Cost-Effectiveness of Genetic Testing for Allopurinol Sensitivity in Gout Patients

Screening was cost-effective in black and Asian patients, but not in whites or Hispanics.

The urate-lowering therapy allopurinol is associated with rare but potentially fatal cutaneous reactions — Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). SJS/TEN usually occurs during the first few months after starting allopurinol and is associated with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*5801 allele. In the U.S., HLA-B*5801 prevalence is low (<1%) in whites and Hispanics and higher in blacks (3.8%) and Asians (7.4%). American College of Rheumatology guidelines recommend HLA-B*5801 testing in patients of Korean, Thai, and Han Chinese descent, but make no recommendations about testing in other ethnic groups (Arthritis Care Res [Hoboken] 2012; 64:1431).

In this U.S. study, researchers evaluated the cost-effectiveness of …

Reviewing Author

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

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Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Cost-Effectiveness of Genetic Testing for Allopurinol Sensitivity in Gout Patients

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Reviewing Author