Cost-effectiveness of a stepped care program to prevent depression among primary care patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and/or coronary heart disease and subthreshold depression in comparison with usual care

S E M Van Dijk,M W Van Tulder,A D Pols,M C Adriaanse,J E Bosmans,H W J Van Marwijk

doi:10.1186/s12888-021-03367-z

Abstract

BackgroundPatients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and/or coronary heart disease (CHD) are at high risk to develop major depression. Preventing incident major depression may be an important tool in reducing the personal and societal burden of depression. The aim of the current study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a stepped care program to prevent major depression (Step-Dep) in diabetes mellitus type 2 and/or coronary heart disease patients with subthreshold depression in comparison with usual care.MethodsAn economic evaluation with 12 months follow-up was conducted alongside a pragmatic cluster-randomized controlled trial from a societal perspective. Participants received care as usual (n = 140) or Step-Dep (n = 96) which consisted of four sequential treatment steps: watchful waiting, guided self-help, problem solving treatment and referral to a general practitioner. Primary outcomes were quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and cumulative incidence of major depression. Costs were measured every 3 months. Missing data was imputed using multiple imputation. Uncertainty around cost-effectiveness outcomes was estimated using bootstrapping and presented in cost-effectiveness planes and acceptability curves.ResultsThere were no significant differences in QALYs or depression incidence between treatment groups. Secondary care costs (mean difference €1644, 95% CI €344; €3370) and informal care costs (mean difference €1930, 95% CI €528; €4089) were significantly higher in the Step-Dep group than in the usual care group. The difference in total societal costs (€1001, 95% CI €-3975; €6409) was not statistically significant. The probability of the Step-Dep intervention being cost-effective was low, with a maximum of 0.41 at a ceiling ratio of €30,000 per QALY gained and 0.32 at a ceiling ratio of €0 per prevented case of major depression.ConclusionsThe Step-Dep intervention is not cost-effective compared to usual care in a population of patients with DM2/CHD and subthreshold depression. Therefore, widespread implementation cannot be recommended.Trial registrationThe trial was registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR3715).

Highlights

Patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and/or coronary heart disease (CHD) are at high risk to develop major depression
The Step-Dep intervention is not cost-effective compared to usual care in a population of patients with DM2/CHD and subthreshold depression
Major depression is even more common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and/or coronary heart disease (CHD) with 12 month incidence rates ranging between 10 and 20% [7, 8]. This combination of disorders leads to a substantial additional health challenge, as it is associated with a higher burden of disease resulting in reduced quality of life [9,10,11], adverse health outcomes [9,10,11,12], higher productivity losses [13,14,15] and higher health care use [16,17,18] compared to only having depression or DM2 and/or CHD [9,10,11,12, 16, 19]

Summary

Introduction

Patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and/or coronary heart disease (CHD) are at high risk to develop major depression. Major depression is even more common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and/or coronary heart disease (CHD) with 12 month incidence rates ranging between 10 and 20% [7, 8] This combination of disorders leads to a substantial additional health challenge, as it is associated with a higher burden of disease resulting in reduced quality of life [9,10,11], adverse health outcomes [9,10,11,12], higher productivity losses [13,14,15] and higher health care use [16,17,18] compared to only having depression or DM2 and/or CHD [9,10,11,12, 16, 19]. Considering the higher prevalence and chronicity of depression in patients with DM2 and/or CHD compared to the general population, prevention in this patient group could greatly reduce the personal and economical burden [22]

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