Cost‐utility and cost‐effectiveness analyses of a long‐term, high‐intensity exercise program compared with conventional physical therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To estimate the cost utility and cost effectiveness of long-term, high-intensity exercise classes compared with usual care in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods RA patients (n = 300) were randomly assigned to either exercise classes or UC; followup lasted for 2 years. Outcome measures were quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) according to the EuroQol (EQ-5D), Short Form 6D (SF-6D), and a transformed visual analog scale (VAS) rating personal health; functional ability according to the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and McMaster Toronto Arthritis Patient Preference Interview (MACTAR); and societal costs. Results QALYs in both randomization groups were similar according to the EQ-5D and SF-6D, but were in favor of usual care according to the VAS (annual difference 0.037 QALY; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.002, 0.069). Functional ability was similar according to the HAQ, but in favor of the exercise classes according to the MACTAR (annual difference 2.9 QALY; 95% CI 0.9, 4.9). Annual medical costs of the exercise program were estimated at €780 per participating patient (€1 ≈ $1.05). The increase per patient in total medical costs of physical therapy was estimated at €430 (95% CI €318, 577), and the increase in total societal costs at €602 (95% CI €−490, 1,664). For societal willingness-to-pay equal to €50,000 per QALY, usual care had better cost utility than exercise classes, and significantly so according to the VAS. Conclusion From a societal perspective and without taking possible preventive health effects into account, long-term, high-intensity exercise classes provide insufficient improvement in the valuation of health to justify the additional costs.