Cost-effectiveness of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Depressed Older People
Author Information
Author(s): Amanda J Holman, Marc A Serfaty, Baptiste E Leurent, Michael B King
Primary Institution: University College Medical School, London, UK
Hypothesis
Is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) more cost-effective than talking control and treatment as usual for depressed older people in primary care?
Conclusion
CBT is more costly than treatment as usual but is also more clinically effective, making it a likely cost-effective option for treating depression in older adults.
Supporting Evidence
- CBT led to a significant reduction in BDI-II scores compared to treatment as usual.
- The cost per additional point reduction in BDI-II score was £120 for CBT.
- There was a 90% probability that CBT would be considered cost-effective if the threshold was £270 per point reduction.
Takeaway
This study shows that talking to a therapist can help older people feel less sad, but it costs more money than just regular doctor visits.
Methodology
A randomized controlled trial comparing CBT, a talking control, and treatment as usual in a primary care setting.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-reported data and the exclusion of certain health service costs.
Limitations
The study may not account for all indirect costs and the generalizability of results may be limited due to the specific population studied.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily older adults, with a majority being female (79.4%) and white (75.5%), aged around 74 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.018
Confidence Interval
95% CI: £56 - £787
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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