scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness of brief structured interventions to discontinue long-term benzodiazepine use: an economic analysis alongside a randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Dominic Trépel ◽  
Shehzad Ali ◽  
Simon Gilbody ◽  
Alfonso Leiva ◽  
Dean Mcmillan ◽  
...  

Background: In Spain, long-term use of benzodiazepine is prevalent in 7% of the population; however, this longer-term use lacks clinical benefits, costs €90million per year and side-effects further add extra cost through adverse health outcomes. This study aims to estimate the cost-effectiveness of primary care services stepped dose reduction of long-term benzodiazepines using either Structured Interview with Follow-up (SIF) or Without Follow-up (SIW), compared to Treatment as Usual (TAU). Design: Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted alongside randomised control utilizing data from three arm cluster randomized trial. Setting: Primary care. Participants: 75 general practitioners were randomised to one of the three arms (TAU, SIW, SIF). Measurements: Cost and Cost per Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) Results: Compared to usual care, providing SIW per participant costs an additional €117.94 and adding patient follow-up, €218.4. As a result of intervention, participants showed a gain of, on average, for SIW 0.0144 QALY (95% CI -0.0137 to 0.0425) and for SIF 0.0340 QALYs (0.0069 to 0.0612). The Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio was €8190.28/QALY (SIW) and €6423.53/QALY (SIF). At the Spanish reimbursement threshold (€45,000 per QALY) the chance interventions are cost effective is 79.8% for SIW and 97.7% for SIF. Conclusions: Brief structured interventions to discontinue long-term benzodiazepine use represent value for money, particularly with scheduled follow-up appointments, and would represent a cost-effective investment by the Spanish healthcare to reduce prevalence of long-term use.

Author(s):  
Anne Loohuis ◽  
Henk van der Worp ◽  
Nienke Wessels ◽  
Janny Dekker ◽  
Marijke Slieker-ten Hove ◽  
...  

Objective: Long-term cost-effectiveness of app-based treatment for female stress, urgency, or mixed urinary incontinence (UI) compared to care-as-usual in primary care. Design: A pragmatic, randomised controlled, superiority trial. Setting: Primary care in the Netherlands from 2015 to 2018, follow-up at 12 months. Population: Women with ≥2 UI-episodes per week, access to mobile apps, wanting treatment. 262 women randomised equally to app or care-as-usual; 89 (68%) and 83 (63%) attended follow-up. Methods: The standalone app included conservative management for UI with motivation aids (e.g., reminders). Care-as-usual delivered according to the Dutch GP guideline for UI. Main outcome measures: Effectiveness assessed by the change in symptom severity score (ICIQ-UI-SF) and the change in quality of life (ICIQ-LUTS-QoL, EQ-5D-5L) on superiority with linear regression on an intention-to-treat basis. Cost-effectiveness and -utility from a societal perspective, based on Incontinence Impact Adjusted Life Years (IIALYs) and Quality Adjusted Life years (QALYs). Results: Clinically relevant improvement of UI severity for both app (-2.17 ± 2.81) and care-as-usual (-3.43 ± 3.6), with a non-significant mean difference of 0.903 (-0.66 to 1.871). Costs were lower for app-based treatment with \euro-161 (95%CI: -180 to -151) per year. Cost-effectiveness showed small mean differences in effect for IIALY (0.04) and QALY (-0.03) and thus larger ICER (-3,696) and ICUR (\euro6,379). Conclusion: App-based treatment is a viable alternative to care-as-usual for UI in primary care in terms of long-term cost-effectiveness. Funding: Dutch Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw: 837001508), sub-funding P.W. Boer Foundation Dutch Trial Register identifier: Trial NL4948 (www.trialregister.nl/trial/4948).


BMC Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphne M. Stol ◽  
Eelco A. B. Over ◽  
Ilse F. Badenbroek ◽  
Monika Hollander ◽  
Mark M. J. Nielen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) are the major cause of death worldwide and are associated with a lower quality of life and high healthcare costs. To prevent a further rise in CMD and related healthcare costs, early detection and adequate management of individuals at risk could be an effective preventive strategy. The objective of this study was to determine long-term cost-effectiveness of stepwise CMD risk assessment followed by individualized treatment if indicated compared to care as usual. A computer-based simulation model was used to project long-term health benefits and cost-effectiveness, assuming the prevention program was implemented in Dutch primary care. Methods A randomized controlled trial in a primary care setting in which 1934 participants aged 45–70 years without recorded CMD or CMD risk factors participated. The intervention group was invited for stepwise CMD risk assessment through a risk score (step 1), additional risk assessment at the practice in case of increased risk (step 2) and individualized follow-up treatment if indicated (step 3). The control group was not invited for risk assessment, but completed a health questionnaire. Results of the effectiveness analysis on systolic blood pressure (− 2.26 mmHg; 95% CI − 4.01: − 0.51) and total cholesterol (− 0.15 mmol/l; 95% CI − 0.23: − 0.07) were used in this analysis. Outcome measures were the costs and benefits after 1-year follow-up and long-term (60 years) cost-effectiveness of stepwise CMD risk assessment compared to no assessment. A computer-based simulation model was used that included data on disability weights associated with age and disease outcomes related to CMD. Analyses were performed taking a healthcare perspective. Results After 1 year, the average costs in the intervention group were 260 Euro higher than in the control group and differences were mainly driven by healthcare costs. No meaningful change was found in EQ 5D-based quality of life between the intervention and control groups after 1-year follow-up (− 0.0154; 95% CI − 0.029: 0.004). After 60 years, cumulative costs of the intervention were 41.4 million Euro and 135 quality-adjusted life years (QALY) were gained. Despite improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol, the intervention was not cost-effective (ICER of 306,000 Euro/QALY after 60 years). Scenario analyses did not allow for a change in conclusions with regard to cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Conclusions Implementation of this primary care-based CMD prevention program is not cost-effective in the long term. Implementation of this program in primary care cannot be recommended. Trial registration Dutch Trial Register NTR4277, registered on 26 November 2013


2014 ◽  
Vol 204 (6) ◽  
pp. 471-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caterina Vicens ◽  
Ferran Bejarano ◽  
Ermengol Sempere ◽  
Catalina Mateu ◽  
Francisca Fiol ◽  
...  

BackgroundBenzodiazepines are extensively used in primary care, but their long-term use is associated with adverse health outcomes and dependence.AimsTo analyse the efficacy of two structured interventions in primary care to enable patients to discontinue long-term benzodiazepine use.MethodA multicentre three-arm cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted, with randomisation at general practitioner level (trial registration ISRCTN13024375). A total of 532 patients taking benzodiazepines for at least 6 months participated. After all patients were included, general practitioners were randomly allocated (1:1:1) to usual care, a structured intervention with follow-up visits (SIF) or a structured intervention with written instructions (SIW). The primary end-point was the last month self-declared benzodiazepine discontinuation confirmed by prescription claims at 12 months.ResultsAt 12 months, 76 of 168 (45%) patients in the SIW group and 86 of 191 (45%) in the SIF group had discontinued benzodiazepine use compared with 26 of 173 (15%) in the control group. After adjusting by cluster, the relative risks for benzodiazepine discontinuation were 3.01 (95% CI 2.03–4.46, P<0.0001) in the SIW and 3.00 (95% CI 2.04–4.40, P<0.0001) in the SIF group. The most frequently reported withdrawal symptoms were insomnia, anxiety and irritability.ConclusionsBoth interventions led to significant reductions in long-term benzodiazepine use in patients without severe comorbidity. A structured intervention with a written individualised stepped-dose reduction is less time-consuming and as effective in primary care as a more complex intervention involving follow-up visits.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Warren ◽  
Bradley H. Curtis ◽  
Nan Jia ◽  
R. Wendell Evans

Objectives: Long-term follow-up of the Caries Management System (CMS) protocol demonstrated that regular monitoring and noninvasive management of dental caries is effective in reducing the number of caries-related events over a 7-year period. This analysis complements the authors’ original economic evaluation of the CMS by re-evaluating the per-protocol cost-effectiveness of the CMS approach.Methods: An individual patient-simulation Markov model was developed previously, based on 3-year randomized-controlled trial (RCT) data, to simulate the incidence and progression of dental caries, and resultant interventions, and to evaluate the lifetime cost-effectiveness of the CMS versus standard dental care from the Australian private dental practitioner perspective (in which the baseline age distribution was similar to that of the Australian population). The 4-year posttrial follow-up data are used to re-evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of the CMS in a more real-life setting.Results: The reduction in caries risk was maintained among those practices within which the CMS protocols were adhered to. The per-protocol model appears to be reasonably accurate at predicting the risk of restorative events in the posttrial follow-up period. The per-protocol lifetime cost per restorative event avoided is AUD1,980 (USD1,409; 1 AUD = 0.71 USD).Conclusions: The current analysis confirms that the CMS approach is both effective, when the protocols are adhered to appropriately, and cost-effective compared with standard care in the Australian private practice setting.


2004 ◽  
Vol 185 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul McCrone ◽  
Martin Knapp ◽  
Judith Proudfoot ◽  
Clash Ryden ◽  
Kate Cavanagh ◽  
...  

BackgroundCognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective for treating anxiety and depression in primary care, but there is a shortage of therapists. Computer-delivered treatment may be a viable alternative.AimsTo assess the cost-effectiveness of computer-delivered CBT.MethodA sample of people with depression or anxiety were randomised to usual care (n= 128) or computer-delivered CBT (n= 146). Costs were available for 123 and 138 participants, respectively. Costs and depression scores were combined using the net benefit approach.ResultsService costs were £40 (90% CI-£28 to £148) higher over 8 months for computer-delivered CBT. Lost-employment costs were £407 (90% CI £196 to £586) less for this group. Valuing a 1-unit improvement on the Beck Depression Inventory at £40, there is an 81% chance that computer-delivered CBT is cost-effective, and it revealed a highly competitive cost per quality-adjusted life year.ConclusionsComputer-delivered CBT has a high probability of being cost-effective, even if a modest value is placed on unit improvements in depression.


2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 849-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
HENK JAN CONRADI ◽  
PETER de JONGE ◽  
HERMAN KLUITER ◽  
ANNET SMIT ◽  
KLAAS van der MEER ◽  
...  

Background. The long-term outcome of major depression is often unfavorable, and because most cases of depression are managed by general practitioners (GPs), this places stress on the need to improve treatment in primary care. This study evaluated the long-term effects of enhancing the GP's usual care (UC) with three experimental interventions.Method. A randomized controlled trial was conducted from 1998 to 2003. The main inclusion criterion was receiving GP treatment for a depressive episode. We compared: (1) UC (n=72) with UC enhanced with: (2) a psycho-educational prevention (PEP) program (n=112); (3) psychiatrist-enhanced PEP (n=37); and (4) brief cognitive behavioral therapy followed by PEP (CBT-enhanced PEP) (n=44). We assessed depression status quarterly during a 3-year follow-up.Results. Pooled across groups, depressive disorder-free and symptom-free times during follow-up were 83% and 17% respectively. Almost 64% of the patients had a relapse or recurrence, the median time to recurrence was 96 weeks, and the mean Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score over 12 follow-up assessments was 9·6. Unexpectedly, PEP patients had no better outcomes than UC patients. However, psychiatrist-enhanced PEP and CBT-enhanced PEP patients reported lower BDI severity during follow-up than UC patients [mean difference 2·07 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1·13–3·00) and 1·62 (95% CI 0·70–2·55) respectively] and PEP patients [2·37 (95% CI 1·35–3·39) and 1·93 (95% CI 0·92–2·94) respectively].Conclusions. The PEP program had no extra benefit compared to UC and may even worsen outcome in severely depressed patients. Enhancing treatment of depression in primary care with psychiatric consultation or brief CBT seems to improve the long-term outcome, but findings need replication as the interventions were combined with the ineffective PEP program.


2009 ◽  
Vol 195 (4) ◽  
pp. 308-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Helmut König ◽  
Anja Born ◽  
Dirk Heider ◽  
Herbert Matschinger ◽  
Sven Heinrich ◽  
...  

BackgroundIndividuals with anxiety disorders often do not receive an accurate diagnosis or adequate treatment in primary care.AimsTo analyse the cost-effectiveness of an optimised care model for people with anxiety disorders in primary care.MethodIn a cluster randomised controlled trial, 46 primary care practices with 389 individuals positively screened with anxiety were randomised to intervention (23 practices, 201 participants) or usual care (23 practices, 188 participants). Physicians in the intervention group received training on diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders combined with the offer of a psychiatric consultation–liaison service for 6 months. Anxiety, depression, quality of life, service utilisation and costs were assessed at baseline, 6-month and 9-month follow-up.ResultsResultsNo significant differences were observed between intervention and control group on the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory and EQ–5D during follow-up. Total costs were higher in the intervention group (€4911 v. €3453, P = 0.09). The probability of an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio <€50 000 per quality-adjusted life year was below 10%.ConclusionsThe optimised care model did not prove to be cost-effective.


2013 ◽  
Vol 202 (6) ◽  
pp. 441-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Gensichen ◽  
Juliana J. Petersen ◽  
Michael Von Korff ◽  
Dirk Heider ◽  
Steffen Baron ◽  
...  

BackgroundCase management undertaken by healthcare assistants in small primary care practices is effective in improving depression symptoms and adherence in patients with major depression.AimsTo evaluate the cost-effectiveness of depression case management by healthcare assistants in small primary care practices.MethodCost-effectiveness analysis on the basis of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (2005-2008): practice-based healthcare assistants in 74 practices provided case management to 562 patients with major depression over 1 year. Our primary outcome was the incremental costeffectiveness ratio (ICER) calculated as the ratio of differences in mean costs and mean number of qualityadjusted life-years (QALYs). Our secondary outcome was the mean depression-free days (DFDs) between the intervention and control group at 24-month follow-up. The study was registered at the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Registry: ISRCTN66386086.ResultsIntervention v. control group: no significant difference in QALYs; significantly more DFDs (mean: 373 v. 311, P<0.01); no significant difference in mean direct healthcare costs (€4495 v. €3506, P = 0.16); considerably lower mean indirect costs (€5228 v. €7539, P = 0.06), resulting in lower total costs (€9723 v. €11 045, P = 0.41). The point estimate for the cost-utility ratio was €38 429 per QALY gained if only direct costs were considered, and ‘dominance’ of the intervention if total costs were considered. Yet, regardless of decision makers' willingness to pay per QALY, the probability of the intervention being cost-effective was never above 90%.ConclusionsIn small primary care practices, 1 year of case management did not increase the number of QALYs but it did increase the number of DFDs. The intervention was likely to be cost-effective.


2010 ◽  
Vol 196 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petronella van't Veer-Tazelaar ◽  
Filip Smit ◽  
Hein van Hout ◽  
Patricia van Oppen ◽  
Henriette van der Horst ◽  
...  

BackgroundThere is an urgent need for the development of cost-effective preventive strategies to reduce the onset of mental disorders.AimsTo establish the cost-effectiveness of a stepped care preventive intervention for depression and anxiety disorders in older people at high risk of these conditions, compared with routine primary care.MethodAn economic evaluation was conducted alongside a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN26474556). Consenting individuals presenting with subthreshold levels of depressive or anxiety symptoms were randomly assigned to a preventive stepped care programme (n = 86) or to routine primary care (n = 84).ResultsThe intervention was successful in halving the incidence rate of depression and anxiety at €563 (£412) per recipient and €4367 (£3196) per disorder-free year gained, compared with routine primary care. The latter would represent good value for money if the willingness to pay for a disorder-free year is at least €5000.ConclusionsThe prevention programme generated depression- and anxiety-free survival years in the older population at affordable cost.


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