Cost‐effectiveness of a collaborative dementia care management—Results of a cluster‐randomized controlled trial

摘要

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine the cost‐effectiveness of collaborative dementia care management (DCM). Methods The cost‐effectiveness analysis was based on the data of 444 patients of a cluster‐randomized, controlled trial, conceptualized to evaluate a collaborative DCM that aimed to optimize treatment and care in dementia. Health‐care resource use, costs, quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost per QALY gained were measured over a 24‐month time horizon. Results DCM increased QALYs (+0.05) and decreased costs (?569€) due to a lower hospitalization and a delayed institutionalization (7 months) compared with usual care. The probability of DCM being cost‐effective was 88% at willingness‐to‐pay thresholds of 40,000€ per QALY gained and higher in patients living alone compared to those not living alone (96% vs. 26%). Discussion DCM is likely to be a cost‐effective strategy in treating dementia and thus beneficial for public health‐care payers and patients, especially for those living alone.