Long-term cost-effectiveness of weight management in primary care

Counterweight Project Team, et al. (2010) Long-term cost-effectiveness of weight management in primary care. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 64(6), pp. 775-783. (doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2010.02349.x)

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Abstract

Background: As obesity prevalence and health-care costs increase, Health Care providers must prevent and manage obesity cost-effectively. Methods: Using the 2006 NICE obesity health economic model, a primary care weight management programme (Counterweight) was analysed, evaluating costs and outcomes associated with weight gain for three obesity-related conditions (type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, colon cancer). Sensitivity analyses examined different scenarios of weight loss and background (untreated) weight gain. Results: Mean weight changes in Counterweight attenders was )3 kg and )2.3 kg at 12 and 24 months, both 4 kg below the expected 1 kg ⁄ year background weight gain. Counterweight delivery cost was £59.83 per patient entered. Even assuming dropouts ⁄ non-attenders at 12 months (55%) lost no weight and gained at the background rate, Counterweight was ‘dominant’ (cost-saving) under ‘base-case scenario’, where 12-month achieved weight loss was entirely regained over the next 2 years, returning to the expected background weight gain of 1 kg ⁄ year. Quality-adjusted Life-Year cost was £2017 where background weight gain was limited to 0.5 kg ⁄ year, and £2651 at 0.3 kg ⁄ year. Under a ‘best-case scenario’, where weights of 12-month-attenders were assumed thereafter to rise at the background rate, 4 kg below non-intervention trajectory (very close to the observed weight change), Counterweight remained ‘dominant’ with background weight gains 1 kg, 0.5 kg or 0.3 kg ⁄ year. Conclusion: Weight management for obesity in primary care is highly cost-effective even considering only three clinical consequences. Reduced healthcare resources use could offset the total cost of providing the Counterweight Programme, as well as bringing multiple health and Quality of Life benefits.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Morrison, Dr David and Lean, Professor Michael and Sloan, Mr Billy
Authors: Counterweight Project Team, , Trueman, P., Haynes, S. M., Lyons, G. F., McCombie, E. L., McQuigg, M. S. A., Mongia, S., Noble, P. A., Quinn, M. F., Ross, H. M., Thompson, F., Broom, J. I., Laws, R. A., Reckless, J. P. D., Kumar, S., Lean, M. E. J., Frost, G. S., Finer, N., Haslam, D. W., Morrison, D., and Sloan, B.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Centre for Population and Health Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Clinical Specialities
Journal Name:International Journal of Clinical Practice
Journal Abbr.:Int J Clin Pract
Publisher:Blackwell Publishing
ISSN:1368-5031
Published Online:26 March 2010

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