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Table 1 Study characteristics and results

From: Is it worth investing in mental health promotion and prevention of mental illness? A systematic review of the evidence from economic evaluations

Source

Evaluation type

Country

Intervention

Source effectiveness data

Type of data

Time horizon

Results*

Programmes to prevent depression/sucide

Smit et al. (2006) [38]

CEA

Nether-lands

Minimal contact-therapy for primary prevention of depression

Pragmatic RCT

Primary data

1 yr

80% probability of cost-effectiveness if WTP per case avoided is below US$ 23,000

Petrou et al. (2006) [39]

CEA

UK

Home visiting therapist f. primary prevention of post-natal depression

Pragmatic RCT

Primary data

18 months

70% probability of cost-effectiveness if WTP per depressive month avoided is below US$ 1,800

Lynch et al. (2006) [46]

CEA

USA

CBT for high at risk teens for depression

RCT

Secondary data

1 yr

US$ -14 to US$ 24 per DFD; US$ -12,200 to US$ 3,400 per QALY

Valenstein et al. (2001) [47]

CUA

USA

Various types of Screening for depression

Secondary literat./not specified; Meta-analysis of RCTs

Simulation/modelling

Life-time

Cost utility ratios unfavourable; 1-time screening compared to no screening lowest ICUR(on average US$ 47,000 per QALY)

Sari et al. (2007) [49]

CBA

USA

General education and peer support to prevent suicide in high-school

Secondary literature/not specified

Simulation/modelling

1 yr

Net benefit: US$ 21 million and US$ 32 million respectively; ratio: US$ 2.36:1 and US$ 4.3:1

Zaloshnja et al. (2003) [44]

CUA/CBA

USA

Lay people training for crisis-support

Prospective observational trial

Secondary data

10 yrs

Benefit-cost ratio: 47:1; ICUR: US$ 460 per QALY

Appleby et al. (2000) [42]

CEA

UK

Education for health professionals to assess and manage suicidal patients

Prospective observational trial

Primary data

1 yr

US$ 6,200 per LYG; US$ 183,000 per suicide prevented

Byford et al. (1999) [41]

CCA

UK

Social work intervention for adolescents with risk for self-harm

Pragmatic RCT

Primary data

5 months

Intervention not more effective and not more costly

Rutz et al. (1992) [45]

CBA

Sweden

Educational programme for GPs to detect depression

Prospective observational trial

Secondary data

Life-time

Net benefit: US$ 37 million

Programmes that address overall risk factors for mental disorders

Wiggins et al. (2004) [40]

CCA

UK

Post-natal support for young mothers in deprived city areas

Pragmatic RCT

Primary data

18 months

Interventions not more effective and not cost saving

McAuley et al. (2004) [43]

CEA, CCA

UK

Home start support for young families

Prospective observational trial

Primary data

11 months

Intervention not more effective and more costly

Schweinhart (2005) [48]

CBA

USA

Early child development programme (ECD)

Pragmatic RCT

Simulation/modelling

40 yrs

US $ 19.81 return per invested US$

Lynch (2004) [36]

CBA

USA

ECD

Several pragmatic RCTs

Simulation/modelling

45 yrs

After 17 yrs: budget benefits outweigh costs; benefit-cost ratios: US$ 4.01 to 9.27 per $ invested

Aos et al. (2004) [37]

CBA

USA

Several type of childhood and adolescent support programmes

Systematic review of RCTs

Simulation/modelling

Life-time

From net-benefit of US$ 33,100 to net costs of US$ 52,000 depending on programme

  1. CBA: Cost benefit analysis; CCA: cost-consequence analysis; CEA: Cost effectiveness analysis; CUA: Cost utility analysis; DFD: depression free day; ICUR: Incremental cost utility ratio; LYG: Life year gained; QALY: quality adjusted life years; RCT: Randomised controlled trial; WTP: willingness to pay; * original results have been converted into US$ according to GDP-PPP where required and inflated to 2006 price levels