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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 May;46(4):302-7.
doi: 10.1002/eat.22087. Epub 2013 Jan 28.

A cost effectiveness analysis of stepped care treatment for bulimia nervosa

Scott J Crow  1 , W Stewart Agras, Katherine A Halmi, Christopher G Fairburn, James E Mitchell, John A Nyman
Affiliations
Free PMC article
Randomized Controlled Trial

A cost effectiveness analysis of stepped care treatment for bulimia nervosa

Scott J Crow et al. Int J Eat Disord. 2013 May.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Background: The cost effectiveness of various treatment strategies for bulimia nervosa (BN) is unknown.

Aims: To examine the cost effectiveness of stepped care treatment for BN.

Method: Randomized trial conducted at four clinical centers with intensive measurement of direct medical costs and repeated measurement of subject quality of life and family/significant other time involvement. Two hundred ninety-three women who met DSM-IV criteria for BN received stepped care treatment or cognitive behavioral therapy. Cost effectiveness ratios were compared.

Results: The cost per abstinent subject was $12,146 for stepped care, and $20,317 for cognitive behavioral therapy. Quality of life ratings improved significantly with treatment, and family/significant other time burden diminished substantially.

Discussion: In this trial, stepped care for BN appeared cost effective in comparison to cognitive behavioral therapy. Treatment was associated with improved quality of life and diminished time costs of illness.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Cost effectiveness ratios for stepped care vs. CBT - bootstrapping results.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Time cost to family or significant other. [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which is available at wileyonlinelibrary.com.]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Koran LM, Agras WS, Rossiter EM, Arnow B, Schneider JA, Telch CF, et al. Comparing the cost effectiveness of psychiatric treatments: Bulimia nervosa. Psychiatry Res. 1995;58:13–21. - PubMed

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