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Analysis of health-related quality of life and costs based on a randomised clinical trial of escitalopram for relapse prevention in patients with generalised social anxiety disorder

BACKGROUND: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is associated with substantial reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Escitalopram has proven efficacy in the short-term treatment of SAD and prevention of relapse. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the clinical effects of treatment translated i...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: François, C, Montgomery, S A, Despiegel, N, Aballéa, S, Roïz, J, Auquier, P
Formato: Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2008
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2704928/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18759783
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-1241.2008.01879.x
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is associated with substantial reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Escitalopram has proven efficacy in the short-term treatment of SAD and prevention of relapse. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the clinical effects of treatment translated into HRQoL benefits and to investigate costs of SAD treatment. METHODS: Data on HRQoL and resource utilisation were collected in a previously published clinical trial of escitalopram in relapse prevention. Among 517 patients, 371 responded to 12 weeks of open-label treatment with escitalopram and were randomised to escitalopram or placebo for 24 weeks. HRQoL was assessed using the short form (SF)-36 instrument and SF-6D utilities (preference-based index scores for overall HRQoL) were calculated. Costs were calculated for responders over the acute phase and for non-relapsed patients over the continuation phase, applying UK unit costs. RESULTS: Health-related quality of life was significantly improved after the acute phase when compared with baseline. The SF-6D utility increased by 0.047 in responders (p < 0.0001) and 0.021 in non-responders (p = 0.0005). Healthcare costs were non-significantly lower in acute phase than during prestudy phase (p = 0.0587 from NHS perspective), as were productivity costs (p = 0.1440). HRQoL at last visit was lower in relapsed than non-relapsed patients. The difference in utility was −0.026 (p = 0.0007). Healthcare and productivity costs were non-significantly lower in the escitalopram group than in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Both effective acute treatment of SAD and prevention of relapse with escitalopram are associated with significant HRQoL benefits. Despite some limitations, the cost analysis suggests that savings in physician-visits and inpatient care may offset drug acquisition costs.