Cost-effectiveness analysis of fluoxetine for patients with persistent somatoform pain disorder

Objective The objective of this study was to analyze cost-effectiveness ratio of fluoxetine as a treatment for patients suffering from persistent somatoform pain disorder.Methods This study was a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled study.Patients(n=80)with persistent somatoform pain disorder for 6-120 months were recruited.Patients were randomly allocated to receive fluoxetine(20 ms/d)or placebo(1 tab/d)for 8 weeks.The primary clinical outcome was the Medical Outcomes Study Pain Measures(MOSPM).Direct medical costs were measured from patients and their family for total experiment duration and the previous 2 months.Effectiveness was measared with responsive rate.Difierenees in costs between both groups prior to the trial were not statistically significant.Results The responsive rate in fluoxetine group was 40%(16/40),and 8%(3/40)in placebo group.Costeffectiveness ratio analysis showed that every patient spent 5345 yuan and 18 345 yuan to acquire 1%responsive rate in fluoxetine group and placebo group respectively.Sensitivity analysis result showed that patient in fluoxetine group needed 4033 yuan and patient in placebo group needed 12 188 yuan to acquire 1%responsive rate.Conclusion For persistent somatoform pain disorder,fluoxefine is more cost-effective than placebo. Key words: Pain;  Fluoxetine;  Economics,pharmaceutical: Cost-benefit analysis; Persistent somatoform pain disorder