Valuing the intangible costs of cirrhosis of the liver: a two-step procedure

The human costs of cirrhosis of the liver are valued in monetary units using a two-step procedure. In the first step, the standard gamble method is applied in order to assess a health quality index for the disease. The quality index is then converted into francs. The human costs represent the loss in the quality of life due to cirrhosis of the liver and its health implications. The cost estimate is based on two surveys - a contingent valuation and a standard gamble - carried out among a sample of the Swiss population.