Abstract
Background We have reported the advantageous clinical outcome of adding cognitive therapy to medication in the prevention of relapse of bipolar disorder. Aims This 30-month study compares the cost-effectiveness of cognitive therapy with standard care. Method We randomly allocated 103 individuals with bipolar I disorder to standard treatment and cognitive therapy plus standard treatment. Service use and costs were measured at 3-month intervals and cost-effectiveness was assessed using the net-benefit approach. Results The group receiving cognitive therapy had significantly better clinical outcomes. The extra costs were offset by reduced service use elsewhere. The probability of cognitive therapy being cost-effective was high and robust to different therapy prices. Conclusions Combination of cognitive therapy and mood stabilisers was superior to mood stabilisers alone in terms of clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness for those with frequent relapses of bipolar disorder
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 500 - 506 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | British Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 186 |
| Issue number | JUNE |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2005 |
