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Cost-effectiveness of nutritional counseling for obese patients and patients at risk of ischemic heart disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2005

Jens Olsen ,
Ingrid Willaing ,
Steen Ladelund ,
Torben Jørgensen ,
Jens Gundgaard  and
Jan Sørensen
Jens Olsen
Affiliation:
University of Southern Denmark
Ingrid Willaing
Affiliation:
Glostrup University Hospital
Steen Ladelund
Affiliation:
Glostrup University Hospital
Torben Jørgensen
Affiliation:
Glostrup University Hospital
Jens Gundgaard
Affiliation:
University of Southern Denmark
Jan Sørensen
Affiliation:
University of Southern Denmark
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Abstract

Objectives: Obesity and dyslipidemia are risk factors for ischemic heart disease, and prevention and treatment in primary care can reduce these risks. The objective of this cost-effectiveness analysis was to compare the costs and effects (in terms of life years gained) of providing nutritional counseling by a general practitioner (GP) or a dietician.

Methods: A total of 60 GPs, who accepted to participate, were randomized either to give nutritional counseling or to refer patients to a dietician for counseling. The life years gained was estimated using a Cox regression model. Costs were estimated on the basis of registered use of time (dieticians) or agreed salaries (GPs).

Results: The effect of nutritional counseling comparing GPs and dieticians is greatest when counseling is performed by a GP—0.0919 years versus 0.0274 years. These effects appear to be moderate, but they are significant. It is also proven that the GP group was the most cost-effective—the cost of gaining 1 extra life year was estimated to be 8,213 DKK compared with the dietician group, for which the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated to be 59,987 DKK.

Conclusions: The effects were moderate, but other studies of other patient groups and interventions report effects within the same magnitude. The GP group was the most cost-effective, but it must be concluded that both counseling strategies were relatively cost-effective. Even though the cost of gaining an extra life year was estimated to be 59,987 DKK in the dietician group, this might be an acceptable price.

Keywords

Nutritional counselingCost-effectivenessGPDietician
Type
GENERAL ESSAYS
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 21 , Issue 2 , April 2005 , pp. 194 - 202
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press

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