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Cost‐effectiveness of cognitive therapy as an early intervention for post‐traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents: a trial based evaluation and model
Author(s) -
Shearer James,
Papanikolaou Nestor,
MeiserStedman Richard,
McKin Anna,
Dalgleish Tim,
Smith Patrick,
Dixon Clare,
Byford Sarah
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/jcpp.12851
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , cognitive therapy , population , economic evaluation , psychology , cognition , intervention (counseling) , traumatic stress , clinical psychology , psychiatry , quality of life (healthcare) , cost effectiveness , quality adjusted life year , medicine , psychotherapist , risk analysis (engineering) , surgery , environmental health , pathology
Background Untreated post‐traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) in children and adolescents is associated with a considerable economic burden on the health system, families and society. Recent research has demonstrated the potential efficacy of cognitive therapy as an early intervention for PTSD in children and adolescents. Children who experienced a single traumatic event in the previous two to six months and were randomized to cognitive therapy for PTSD ( CT ‐ PTSD ) were significantly more likely to be PTSD ‐free compared to those randomized to usual care represented by waitlist control. The current study evaluated the economic impact of improvements in the treatment of PTSD in children and adolescents. Methods A cost‐effectiveness analysis was conducted from the national health service/personal social services perspective with outcomes expressed as quality‐adjusted life years ( QALY s). Patient level costs and outcomes were collected during the 11 week clinical trial and extrapolated to a three year time horizon using economic modelling methods. Uncertainty was estimated using probabilistic sensitivity analysis and assumptions were tested using one way sensitivity analysis. Results The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio at 3 years was £2,205 per QALY with a 60%–69% probability of CT ‐ PTSD being cost‐effective compared to usual care at the UK £20,000 to £30,000 per QALY decision threshold. Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence for the cost‐effectiveness of cognitive therapy in this treatment population. Larger pragmatic trials with longer follow‐up are indicated.