Risk stratification for treating people at ultra-high risk for psychosis: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Olajumoke M. Ologundudu, Lena Palaniyappan, Lauren E. Cipriano, Ben F.M. Wijnen, Kelly K. Anderson, Shehzad Ali*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

People who are at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis receive clinical care with the aim to prevent first-episode psychosis (FEP), regardless of the risk of conversion to psychosis. An economic model from the Canadian health system perspective was developed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of treating all with UHR compared to risk stratification over a 15-year time horizon, based on conversion probability, expected quality-of-life and costs. The analysis used a decision tree followed by a Markov model. Health states included: Not UHR, UHR with <20 % risk of conversion to FEP (based on the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study risk calculator), UHR with =20 % risk, FEP, Remission, Post-FEP, and Death. The analysis found that: risk stratification (i.e., only treating those with =20 % risk) had lower costs ($1398) and quality-adjusted life-years (0.055 QALYs) per person compared to treating all. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for ‘treat all’ was $25,448/QALY, and suggests treating all may be cost-effective. The model was sensitive to changes to the probability of conversion.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)225-233
Number of pages9
JournalSchizophrenia Research
Volume261
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2023

Keywords

  • Cost-benefit analysis
  • Costs and cost analysis
  • Health care costs
  • Prodromal symptoms
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Quality-adjusted life years
  • Schizophrenia

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