Abstracts / Posters
Cost Effectiveness of a Family Practice Based Weight Management intervention: The Counterweight Programme
Obes Facts 2(Suppl 2): OS1.6: 47 (2009)
The Counterweight Project Team
Background: The Counterweight programme is an effective weight management programme delivered within UK family practice1. We have examined the cost effectiveness of the programme, to determine ‘value for money’ within a national healthcare system.
Method: We used an adapted simulation model, originally developed to provide input to the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline on obesity, using data on the cost of delivery of Counterweight and observed 12 month weight change outcomes from the pilot phase of the programme. Outcome data for completers (n= 642) and the intention to treat population is included (n= 1419).
Results: Total cost of delivery of Counterweight is estimated at approximately £60 per patient and includes all costs for the Counterweight project team, training costs, materials, all clinician time required to deliver the programme and cost of additional interventions such as pharmacotherpay. Analysis of data from programme completers (n= 642) shows that the programme results in cost savings over a patient life time when compared with no intervention (i.e. economically dominant). Sensitivity analyses suggests that in a scenario where12m weight loss is immediately regained, cost per QALY is estimated to be £57 (2% of the cost/QALY threshold NICE uses to ‘approve’ treatments). Intention to treat analysis (n= 1419) suggests a cost per QALY of £180 where weight loss is regained in the subsequent 2 years.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that the Counterweight Programme is a cost effective intervention to manage obesity.
Funding:
Current: Scottish Government and English Primary Care Trust funding
2005-2006: Unencumbered grant: Sanofi Aventis (England only)
2000-2005 Unencumbered grant: Roche Products Ltd
1. Counterweight Project Team. Evaluation of the Counterweight Programme for obesity management in primary care: a starting point for continuous improvement. 2008; 58: 548-554.