Comparison of Costs and Health Outcomes of mPOCT NEAR Technology to PCR and LFD for Influenza Detection in the United Arab Emirates

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Objectives Influenza shares many symptoms with other respiratory diseases, making clinical diagnosis challenging. This study evaluated the clinical and economic outcomes of influenza testing using a rapid molecular point-of-care platform based on isothermal nicking enzyme amplification reaction (mPOCT NEAR), compared with laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and lateral flow diagnostic (LFD) antigen testing, from the UAE private healthcare payer perspective. Methods A one-year health economic model was developed. Two high-risk populations were assessed: older adults and children under 5 years. Outcomes included antimicrobial use, otitis media cases, ICU admissions, mechanical ventilation, and prevention of secondary transmissions. Direct medical and complication costs were included. Two antimicrobial scenarios were modelled: antimicrobial use—derived from literature (scenario 1), and antiviral-only treatment for test-positive patients (scenario 2). Results Across both scenarios, mPOCT NEAR reduced total healthcare costs and improved clinical outcomes compared with PCR — lower antibiotic use, fewer otitis media cases and ICU admissions, and reduced mechanical ventilation and secondary transmissions. Compared with LFD testing, mPOCT NEAR reduced secondary transmissions by 57% in scenario 1 and demonstrated broader clinical benefits in scenario 2. Overall cost savings were observed versus comparators. Conclusions mPOCT NEAR is cost-saving and clinically advantageous, supporting efficient resource allocation in UAE private healthcare settings.