A cost effectiveness analysis of stepped care treatment for bulimia nervosa1. Issue 4 (28th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crow, Scott J.; Agras, W. Stewart; Halmi., Katherine A.; Fairburn, Christopher G.; Mitchell, James E.; Nyman, John A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of eating disorders. Volume 46:Issue 4(2013:May)
• Page Start: 302
• Page End: 307
• Publication Date: 2013-01-28
• Subjects: Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Ingestion disorders -- Periodicals; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.22087
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-3478

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1-1" sec-type="section"> <title>Background:</title> <p>The cost effectiveness of various treatment strategies for bulimia nervosa (BN) is unknown.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-2" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims:</title> <p>To examine the cost effectiveness of stepped care treatment for BN.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-3" sec-type="section"> <title>Method:</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-4" sec-type="section"> <title>Results:</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-5" sec-type="section"> <title>Discussion:</title> <p>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. © 2013 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013)</p> </sec> </abstract>