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Economic evaluation of web‐based guided self‐help cognitive behavioral therapy‐enhanced for binge‐eating disorder compared to a waiting list: A randomized controlled trial

International Journal of Eating Disorders, vol. 56, pp. 1772–1784

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim is to perform an economic evaluation alongside a randomized controlled trial comparing guided self-help cognitive behavioral therapy-enhanced (CBT-E) for binge-eating disorder (BED) to a waiting list control condition. METHODS: BED patients (N = 212) were randomly assigned to guided self-help CBT-E or the 3-month waiting list. Measurements took place at baseline and the end-of-treatment. The cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using the number of binge-eating episodes during the last 28 days as an outcome indicator according to the eating disorder examination. A cost-utility analysis was performed using the EuroQol-5D. RESULTS: The difference in societal costs over the 3 months of the intervention between both conditions was €679 (confidence interval [CI] 50-1330). The incremental costs associated with one incremental binge eating episode prevented in the guided self-help condition was approximately €18 (CI 1-41). From a societal perspective there was a 96% likelihood that guided self-help CBT-E led to a greater number of binge-eating episodes prevented, but at higher costs. Each additional quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained was associated with incremental costs of €34,000 (CI 2494-154,530). With a 95% likelihood guided self-help CBT-E led to greater QALY gain at higher costs compared to waiting for treatment. Based on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence willingness-to-pay threshold of €35,000 per QALY, guided self-help CBT-E can be considered cost-effective with a likelihood of 95% from a societal perspective. DISCUSSION: Guided self-help CBT-E is likely a cost-effective treatment for BED in the short-term (3-month course of treatment). Comparison to treatment-as-usual is recommended for future research, as it enables an economic evaluation with a longer time horizon. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Offering treatment remotely has several benefits for patients suffering from binge-eating disorders. Guided self-help CBT-E is an efficacious and likely cost-effective treatment, reducing binge eating and improving quality-of-life, albeit at higher societal costs.

Authors 8

  1. Leiden University

    Affiliation as printed

    Novarum Center for Eating Disorders & Obesity Amstelveen The Netherlands

    Section Clinical Psychology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands

    Novarum Center for Eating Disorders & Obesity Amstelveen The Netherlands

    Section Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

  2. Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam · Trimbos Institute · Arkin · Amsterdam University Medical Centers · University of Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychiatry Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands

    Research Department Arkin Mental Health Institute Amsterdam The Netherlands

    Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction Utrecht The Netherlands

    Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Research Department, Arkin Mental Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands

  3. Affiliation as printed

    Novarum Center for Eating Disorders & Obesity Amstelveen The Netherlands

    Novarum Center for Eating Disorders & Obesity Amstelveen The Netherlands

  4. Affiliation as printed

    Novarum Center for Eating Disorders & Obesity Amstelveen The Netherlands

    Novarum Center for Eating Disorders & Obesity Amstelveen The Netherlands

  5. Arkin

    Affiliation as printed

    Research Department Arkin Mental Health Institute Amsterdam The Netherlands

    Research Department, Arkin Mental Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  6. Leiden University Medical Center · GGZ Rivierduinen

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychiatry Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands

    GGZ Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula Leiden The Netherlands

    Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

    GGZ Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula, Leiden, The Netherlands

  7. Arkin

    Affiliation as printed

    Research Department Arkin Mental Health Institute Amsterdam The Netherlands

    Research Department, Arkin Mental Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  8. Leiden University · Arkin

    Affiliation as printed

    Research Department Arkin Mental Health Institute Amsterdam The Netherlands

    Section Clinical Psychology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands

    Research Department, Arkin Mental Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Section Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

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References 56