scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness of an early intervention service for people with psychosis

2010 ◽  
Vol 196 (5) ◽  
pp. 377-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul McCrone ◽  
Tom K. J. Craig ◽  
Paddy Power ◽  
Philippa A. Garety

BackgroundThere is concern that delaying treatment for psychosis may have a negative impact on its long-term course. A number of countries have developed early intervention teams but there is limited evidence regarding their cost-effectiveness.AimsTo compare the costs and cost-effectiveness of an early intervention service in London with standard care.MethodIndividuals in their first episode of psychosis (or those who had previously discontinued treatment) were recruited to the study. Clinical variables and costs were measured at baseline and then at 6- and 18-month follow-up. Information on quality of life and vocational outcomes were combined with costs to assess cost-effectiveness.ResultsA total of 144 people were randomised. Total mean costs were £11 685 in the early intervention group and £14 062 in the standard care group, with the difference not being significant (95% CI –£8128 to £3326). When costs were combined with improved vocational and quality of life outcomes it was shown that early intervention would have a very high likelihood of being cost-effective.ConclusionsEarly intervention did not increase costs and was highly likely to be cost-effective when compared with standard care.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narueporn Likhitweerawong ◽  
Nonglak Boonchooduang ◽  
Kulnipa Kittisakmontri ◽  
Weerasak Chonchaiya ◽  
Orawan Louthrenoo

Abstract Background A technology-based intervention, such as a mobile application, was a growing interest and potentially effective modality for treating obesity. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the OBEST, a new mobile/tablet-based application in reducing weight and encouraging healthy eating behaviors and quality of life in children with obesity. The application could assist healthcare professionals to treat children and adolescents with obesity. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the hospital and school settings in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Seventy-seven children and adolescents with obesity were randomized into two groups; one received standard care combined with the OBEST application, and the other received only standard care. The outcomes were changes in weight, healthy eating behaviors, and quality of life assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) from baseline to six-month follow-up between the two groups. Results The results showed that the intervention group reduced more body mass index (BMI) and had a higher number of participants engaging in healthy eating behaviors than the standard care group but did not reach a statistically significant level, except for less frequent consumption of fast food. The participants in the intervention group had 4.5 times higher odds of decreased engaging in fast-food consumption than the standard care group at 6 months follow-up (odds ratio, 4.5 [95% CI, 1.41 to 14.35]). There were no statistically significant changes in PedsQL scores over 6 months in between groups. Conclusions The current study was unable to detect a significant effect of the OBEST application as an adjunct tool to the standard treatment on reducing weight in obese children and adolescents. However, the mobile application might help to increase engaging in healthy eating behaviors. Further studies with a larger sample are needed to confirm our findings. Trial registration The trial was retrospectively registered at the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (trial registration number: TCTR20200604008, on June 4, 2020).


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moyra E. Mills ◽  
Liam J. Murray ◽  
Brian T. Johnston ◽  
Chris Cardwell ◽  
Michael Donnelly

Purpose To examine the effect of weekly completion of a patient-held quality-of-life (QOL) diary in routine oncology practice for palliative care patients. Patients and Methods In a pragmatic randomized controlled trial, 115 patients with inoperable lung cancer were randomly assigned to receive either standard care or a structured QOL diary (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and the related lung cancer module LC13) that they completed at home each week for 16 weeks. Patients were encouraged to share the QOL information with health professionals involved in their care. Changes in QOL over time (measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Lung questionnaire and the Palliative Care Quality of Life Index), discussion of patient problems, and satisfaction with communication and general care were assessed at baseline and at 2 and 4 months after baseline. Results Analysis of QOL indicated a small but consistent difference between patients in the diary group and the standard care group. The diary group had a poorer QOL in many domains. Two different QOL summary scores (total and overall QOL) indicated a statistically significant between-group difference. No effects were found in relation to satisfaction with care, communication, or the discussion of patient problems. Conclusion The regular completion of a QOL questionnaire without appropriate feedback to health care professionals and without the provision of appropriate support may have a negative impact on inoperable lung cancer patients. Further research should focus on identifying features such as feedback loops that are required for the successful and meaningful use of QOL questionnaires in routine patient care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-172
Author(s):  
Jatu Aviani ◽  
Suradi Suradi ◽  
Ana Rima

Backgrounds: Quadriceps muscle dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is caused by systemic or local inflammation, hypoxia, hypercapnia, corticosteroid use, nutritional depletion, anabolic/catabolic hormone imbalances, oxidative stress, genetic susceptibility, and decreased daily activity. Decreased quadriceps muscle strength reduces exercise capacity, physical activity, increases shortness of breath, and decreases quality of life. Exercise trainng of walking increases the quadriceps muscle strength and overcomes deconditioning. The purpose of this study was to analyze effect of pedometer-based exercise on quadriceps muscle strength, quality of life, benefits, and cost on patients with stable COPD. Methods: A clinical study with quasi-experimental pre-post test control group design using consecutive sampling was performed in patients with stable COPD at Dr. Moewardi Hospital from September to November 2018. Subjects were divided into intervention group which were given pedometer based walking exercise for six weeks and control group with standard rehabilitation. Quadriceps muscle strength, SGRQ score, LCADL score, and cost effectiveness were measured before and after exercise. Results: Twenty-seven of stable COPD patients were included in this study. The intervention groups showed increased quadriceps muscle strength (2,58+0,49), decreased SGRQ scores (23,39+6,60), decreased LCDAL scores (-5,69+2,18), and cost effectiveness compared to control group (P


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Bich-Thuy Truong ◽  
Elin Ngo ◽  
Hilde Ariansen ◽  
Ross T. Tsuyuki ◽  
Hedvig Nordeng

Abstract Background Maternal wellbeing and quality of life (QOL) are increasingly being recognized as important for healthy pregnancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a pharmacist consultation on pregnant women’s QOL focusing on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP), and patient satisfaction. Methods For this intervention study in 14 community pharmacies, women in early pregnancy were recruited and assigned to a pharmacist consultation (intervention) or standard care (control). The consultation aimed to address each woman’s concerns regarding medications and pregnancy-related ailments. Data were collected through online questionnaires at baseline (Q1) and during the second trimester (Q2). The intervention group completed an additional satisfaction questionnaire after the consultation was completed. The primary outcome was the impact of the intervention on the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) scores between the first and second trimesters. The impact of the intervention was assessed by linear regression, and secondary analyses were performed to assess effect modification by NVP. Results Of the 340 women enrolled in the study, we analyzed data for 245. Half (170/340) of the original participants were allocated to the intervention group, of whom 131 received the pharmacist consultation. Most women (75%, 78/96) reported that the consultation was useful to a large/very large extent. The consultation had no overall impact on QOLS scores between the first and the second trimesters compared with standard care (adjusted β: 0.7, 95% CI: -2.1, 3.4). The impact of the intervention on QOLS was greater amongst women with moderate/severe NVP (adjusted β: 3.6, 95% CI: -0.6, 7.7) compared to those with no/mild NVP (adjusted β: -1.4, 95% CI: -5.1, 2.2) (interaction term study group*NVP severity, p = 0.048). Conclusions The pregnant women highly appreciated the pharmacist consultation, but the intervention did not affect their QOL scores compared with standard care. Future studies should further explore the effect of a pharmacist consultation specifically for NVP and on other outcomes such as use of health care services and medication use in pregnancy. Trial registration Retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04182750, registration date: December 2, 2019).


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e023881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipa Sampaio ◽  
Marianne Bonnert ◽  
Ola Olén ◽  
Erik Hedman ◽  
Maria Lalouni ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo assess whether exposure-based internet-delivered cognitive–behavioural therapy (internet-CBT) is a cost-effective treatment for adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared with a waitlist control, from a societal perspective, based on data from a randomised trial.DesignWithin-trial cost-effectiveness analysis.SettingParticipants were recruited from the whole of Sweden via primary, secondary and tertiary care clinics reached through news media and advertising.ParticipantsAdolescents (aged 13–17) with a diagnosis of IBS.InterventionsParticipants were randomised to either an exposure-based internet-CBT, including 10 weekly modules for adolescents and five modules for parents, or a waitlist.Outcome measuresThe main health outcome was the quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) estimated by mapping Pediatric Quality-of-Life Inventory (PedsQL) scores onto EQ-5D-3L utilities. The secondary outcome was the point improvement on the PedsQL scale. Data on health outcomes and resource use were collected at baseline and 10 weeks post-treatment. Resource use was measured using the Trimbos and Institute of Medical Technology Assessment Cost Questionnaire for Psychiatry (TIC-P) . Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were calculated as the difference in average costs by the difference in average outcomes between groups.ResultsThe base-case results showed that internet-CBT costs were on average US$170.24 (95% CI 63.14 to 315.04) more per participant than the waitlist. Adolescents in the internet-CBT group showed small QALY gains (0.0031; 95% CI 0.0003 to 0.0061), and an average improvement of 5.647 points (95% CI 1.82 to 9.46) on the PedsQL compared with the waitlist. Internet-CBT yielded an ICER of $54 916/QALY gained and a probability of cost-effectiveness of 74% given the Swedish willingness-to-pay threshold. The ICER for the outcome PedsQL was US$85.29/point improvement.ConclusionsOffering internet-CBT to adolescents with IBS improves health-related quality of life and generates small QALY gains at a higher cost than a waitlist control. Internet-CBT is thus likely to be cost-effective given the strong efficacy evidence, small QALY gains and low cost.Trial registration numberNCT02306369; Results.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20573-e20573 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Bernardo ◽  
R. Palumbo ◽  
M. Frascaroli ◽  
A. Bernardo ◽  
A. Losurdo ◽  
...  

e20573 Background: Chemotherapy(CT)-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are common adverse effects in cancer patients. The control of CINV is a relevant objective for the patient's quality of life and also aims to optimize cancer treatment. 5-HT3- receptor antagonists (RAs) are commonly used to prevent CINV. Palonosetron, the only second generation 5-HT3-RA, has a significantly longer half-life and a higher binding activity than the first generation of 5-HT3RAs. Methods: To evaluate the activity, safety and farmacoeconomic profile of palonosetron compared to ondansetron as antiemetic prophylaxis for highly (HEC) or moderately (MEC) emetogenic chemotherapy, 235 consecutive chemo-naïve patients (pts) were assigned (1:1) to receive palonosetron 250 mcg i.v. plus dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. 30 min before CT on day 1 (Group A) or ondansetron 8 mg i.v. plus dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. on day 1, followed by 8 mg os twice daily over 3 days (Group B). Results: The 2 treatment groups were comparable with respect to tumour type (breast 52%, lung 20%, colorectal cancer 11%, ovarian 8%, head & neck 5%, other 4%) and emetogenic potential of CT (HEC in 78 pts, AC-based chemotherapy in 123, MEC in 35). FLIE questionnaires were completed on days 2–5. Complete response (CR) rate for the acute period was 82% in pts given HEC in group A versus 63.2% in group B, 93.4 % versus 80.6% in pts given AC and 100% versus 94.4% in pts given MEC. For the delayed period: 74.4% in group A versus 63.2% in group B for pts receiving HEC, 90.2% versus 71% in pts given AC and 94% versus 88.9% in pts given MEC. FLIE analysis showed a reduced impact of CINV on daily life in group A (p<0.05). The pharmacoeconomic evaluation showed favourable cost effectiveness profiles for palonosetron, with a saving of about 50% per cycle/per patient over ondansetron. A not significant reduced incidence of headache and constipation was observed in group A. Conclusions: Palonosetron was effective in preventing CINV following HEC, AC and MEC in both acute and delayed phases, as well as being cost effective. The CR rates were maintained throughout subsequent cycles of CT, with a significant positive impact on daily functioning and quality of life. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10193
Author(s):  
Rita Pilar Romero-Galisteo ◽  
Pablo Gálvez Ruiz ◽  
Angel Blanco Villaseñor ◽  
Maria Rodríguez-Bailón ◽  
Manuel González-Sánchez

Background Families are a fundamental aspect in the current perspective of Early Intervention, and knowing their opinion with quantitative and qualitative research is necessary for its improvement. The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality of the service perceived in Early Intervention Centers and its relationship with satisfaction and future intention, as well as to identify factors that are associated with the perception of users. Methods A measurement model of 50 items and an open question to gather qualitative information was used in a sample of 233 participants. A confirmatory factor analysis and a regression analysis were conducted. Regarding the qualitative data, the information was subjected to a thematic content analysis in order to delve into the perception of the participants. Results The model showed a satisfactory fit and the regression analysis indicated that treatment rooms (β =  − 0.28) and adaptation of activities (β = 0.27) have greater weight with respect to satisfaction, whereas for future intention, the factors of greater weight were adaptation of activities (β = 0.23) and location (β = 0.20). The qualitative analysis showed three themes: facilitators, barriers and suggestions for improvement. Within facilitators, the participants were satisfied with the Early Intervention professionals, and they made improvement suggestions for the detected barriers to improve the facilities and the follow-up of the child. Conclusions The study offers a wide perspective of the perception of the service with an active participation of families in the treatment within the Early Intervention service. This will allow professionals in Early Intervention, service providers and researchers to consider the families as intervention agents capable of providing their opinion and making decisions, and not only as passive elements.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (40) ◽  
pp. 1-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison McMillan ◽  
Daniel J Bratton ◽  
Rita Faria ◽  
Magda Laskawiec-Szkonter ◽  
Susan Griffin ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe therapeutic and economic benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) have been established in middle-aged people. In older people there is a lack of evidence.ObjectiveTo determine the clinical efficacy of CPAP in older people with OSAS and to establish its cost-effectiveness.DesignA randomised, parallel, investigator-blinded multicentre trial with within-trial and model-based cost-effectiveness analysis.MethodsTwo hundred and seventy-eight patients, aged ≥ 65 years with newly diagnosed OSAS [defined as oxygen desaturation index at ≥ 4% desaturation threshold level for > 7.5 events/hour and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score of ≥ 9] recruited from 14 hospital-based sleep services across the UK.InterventionsCPAP with best supportive care (BSC) or BSC alone. Autotitrating CPAP was initiated using standard clinical practice. BSC was structured advice on minimising sleepiness.Coprimary outcomesSubjective sleepiness at 3 months, as measured by the ESS (ESS mean score: months 3 and 4) and cost-effectiveness over 12 months, as measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) calculated using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) and health-care resource use, information on which was collected monthly from patient diaries.Secondary outcomesSubjective sleepiness at 12 months (ESS mean score: months 10, 11 and 12) and objective sleepiness, disease-specific and generic quality of life, mood, functionality, nocturia, mobility, accidents, cognitive function, cardiovascular risk factors and events at 3 and 12 months.ResultsTwo hundred and seventy-eight patients were randomised to CPAP (n = 140) or BSC (n = 138) over 27 months and 231 (83%) patients completed the trial. Baseline ESS score was similar in both groups [mean (standard deviation; SD) CPAP 11.5 (3.3), BSC 11.4 (4.2)]; groups were well balanced for other characteristics. The mean (SD) in ESS score at 3 months was –3.8 (0.4) in the CPAP group and –1.6 (0.3) in the BSC group. The adjusted treatment effect of CPAP compared with BSC was –2.1 points [95% confidence interval (CI) –3.0 to –1.3 points;p < 0.001]. At 12 months the effect was –2.0 points (95% CI –2.8 to –1.2 points;p < 0.001). The effect was greater in patients with increased CPAP use or higher baseline ESS score. The number of QALYs calculated using the EQ-5D was marginally (0.005) higher with CPAP than with BSC (95% CI –0.034 to 0.044). The average cost per patient was £1363 (95% CI £1121 to £1606) for those allocated to CPAP and £1389 (95% CI £1116 to £1662) for those allocated to BSC. On average, costs were lower in the CPAP group (mean –£35; 95% CI –£390 to £321). The probability that CPAP was cost-effective at thresholds conventionally used by the NHS (£20,000 per QALY gained) was 0.61. QALYs calculated using the Short Form questionnaire-6 Dimensions were 0.018 higher in the CPAP group (95% CI 0.003 to 0.034 QALYs) and the probability that CPAP was cost-effective was 0.96. CPAP decreased objective sleepiness (p = 0.02), increased mobility (p = 0.03) and reduced total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.05,p = 0.04, respectively) at 3 months but not at 12 months. In the BSC group, there was a fall in systolic blood pressure of 3.7 mmHg at 12 months, which was not seen in the CPAP group (p = 0.04). Mood, functionality, nocturia, accidents, cognitive function and cardiovascular events were unchanged. There were no medically significant harms attributable to CPAP.ConclusionIn older people with OSAS, CPAP reduces sleepiness and is marginally more cost-effective than BSC over 12 months. Further work is required in the identification of potential biomarkers of sleepiness and those patients at increased risk of cognitive impairment. Early detection of which could be used to inform the clinician when in the disease cycle treatment is needed to avert central nervous system sequelae and to assist patients decision-making regarding treatment and compliance. Treatment adherence is also a challenge in clinical trials generally, and adherence to CPAP therapy in particular is a recognised concern in both research studies and clinical practice. Suggested research priorities would include a focus on optimisation of CPAP delivery or support and embracing the technological advances currently available. Finally, the improvements in quality of life in trials do not appear to reflect the dramatic changes noted in clinical practice. There should be a greater focus on patient centred outcomes which would better capture the symptomatic improvement with CPAP treatment and translate these improvements into outcomes which could be used in health economic analysis.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN90464927.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full inHealth Technology Assessment; Vol. 19, No. 40. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.


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