Tehran University of Medical Sciences Health Technology Assessment in Action 2645-3835 8 1 2024 02 06 212 212 Marita Mohamadshahi Iran’s National Institute for Health Research, Tehran, Iran Nafiseh Hosseini Yekta Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine. Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Traditional Medicine & Matria Medica Research Center, School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahshid Chaichi-Raghimi Chaichi-Raghimi Persian Medicine Office, Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran Mohammadreza Mobinizadeh Iran’s National Institute for Health Research, Tehran, Iran Zeinab Fakoorfard Iran’s National Institute for Health Research, Tehran, Iran Parisa Aboee Iran’s National Institute for Health Research, Tehran, Iran Alireza Olyaeemanesh Iran’s National Institute for Health Research, Tehran, Iran Zahra Gharib-Naseri Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2023 11 08 2024 01 15 Background: In the context of Persian traditional medicine, there are several therapeutic strategies for managing diseases, ranging from lifestyle changes to herbal remedies. Objectives: Given the application of Persian traditional medicine in the management of chronic diseases, the burden of chronic illnesses, and the public’s recourse to traditional medicine specialists, this study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of traditional medicine dietary regimens for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease from the perspective of the payer. Methods: In this study, we investigated the cost-effectiveness of providing nutrition counseling for lifestyle modification (changes in the aforementioned Setteh-e-Zarurieah) by a traditional medicine specialist compared to receiving counseling from a nutritionist for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease from the payer’s perspective. The outcomes measured were changes in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes, body mass index (BMI), and the grade of fatty liver. Cost and effectiveness data were entered into Excel software, and the ICER ratio was calculated. Results: The results indicated that the dietary regimen prescribed by Persian traditional medicine when compared to the nutritionist’s recommended diet, resulted in a lower decrease in AST and ALT enzymes but led to a greater decrease in BMI (mean change = 0.42) and a significant change in the grade of fatty liver (OR = 9.75). Since the costs of tests, ultrasounds, and visits were equal in both groups, the cost difference was zero. In the first scenario, where traditional medicine is considered an alternative therapy and liver enzymes are the primary focus, providing nutritional counseling services by Persian traditional medicine may not be cost effective. However, if we consider the grade of fatty liver and BMI as the primary variables, providing nutritional counseling services by Persian traditional medicine may be cost-effective. Conclusions: Based on the available evidence, the treatment of fatty liver using Persian traditional medicine can be considered an effective and cost-effective complementary (or alternative) intervention. Considering the long-term costs imposed by the health system and insurance organizations, it is predicted that adding visits to Persian traditional medicine specialists may reduce overall healthcare system costs. https://htainaction.tums.ac.ir/index.php/hta/article/view/212 https://htainaction.tums.ac.ir/index.php/hta/article/download/212/144