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- Title
Cost-effectiveness of Spa treatment for fibromyalgia: general health improvement is not for free.
- Authors
T. R. Zijlstra; L. M. A. Braakman-Jansen; E. Taal; J. J. Rasker; M. A. F. J. van de Laar
- Abstract
Objectives. To estimate the cost-effectiveness of an adjuvant treatment course of spa treatment compared with usual care only in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FM). Methods. 134 patients with FM, selected from a rheumatology outpatient department and from members of the Dutch FM patient association were randomly assigned to a 2½ week spa treatment course in Tunisia or to usual care only. Results are expressed as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for a 6-month as well as a 12-month time horizon. Utilities were derived form the Short Form 6D (SF-6D) scores and the visual analogue scale (VAS) rating general health. Costs were reported from societal perspective. Mean incremental cost per patient and the incremental cost utility ratio (ICER) were calculated; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using double-sided bootstrapping. Results. The data of 128 (55 spa and 73 controls) of the 134 patients (96%) could be used for analysis. Improvement in general health was found in the spa group until 6 months of follow-up by both the SF-6D (AUC 0.32 vs 0.30, P vs 0.19, P Conclusions. The temporary improvement in quality of life due to an adjuvant treatment course of spa therapy for patients with FM is associated with limited incremental costs per patient.
- Subjects
IMMUNOLOGICAL adjuvants; FASCIITIS; FIBROMYALGIA; JOINT diseases
- Publication
Rheumatology, 2007, Vol 46, Issue 9, p1454
- ISSN
1462-0324
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/rheumatology/kem157