Table 3.

Cost-Effectiveness of Primary Care Programs for Depressed Patients Beginning a New Treatment Episode Compared with Usual Care

StudyUnique Characteristics of SampleDepression-Specific QALY MeasureCost MeasureAnnual Costs* $Outcome†d/yDuration of Analysis Months
* Costs based on year 2000 dollars.
† Depression-free or impairment-free days per year attributable to program.
‡ Hargreaves WA, Hunkeler EM, Meresman J, Fireman B, Kirsch A. Cost-effectiveness of nurse telecare in primary care treatment of depression. 2003, personal communication.
QALY = quality-adjusted life -years
Katon et al2Beginning antidepressant treatmentSCL derivation of depression-free daysOutpatient costs
 Program costs not included46715.86
Katon et al4Beginning antidepressant treatmentSCL derivation of depression-free daysOutpatient costs
 Program costs not included57513.46
Lave et al33Medication (M)Hamilton and Beck derivation of depression-free daysProgram and training costs; inpatient and outpatient costs; patient time and transportation1,701 (M)58.012
Therapy (T)1,994 (T)49.0
Simon et al10Beginning antidepressant treatmentSCL derivation of depression-free daysOutpatient costs
 Program costs not included14912.66
Simon et al34High utilizersHamilton derivation of depression-free daysProgram costs; outpatient costs
 Program costs; inpatient and outpatient costs
 Program costs; inpatient and outpatient costs; patient time1,008
 1,974
 2,47547.412
Hargreaves et al‡Beginning antidepressant treatmentHamilton derivation of depression-free daysProgram costs; inpatient and outpatient costs30712.36
Current studyDirect report of depression impairment-free daysProgram costs; outpatient costs; patient time and transportation35029.724