Background We have reportedthe
advantageous clinicaloutcome of adding
cognitive therapy tomedicationinthe
prevention of relapse of bipolardisorder.
Aims This 30-month studycompares
the cost-effectiveness of cognitive therapy
with standard care.
Method We randomly allocated103
individualswith bipolar1disorder to
standardtreatment and cognitive therapy
plus standardtreatment.Service use and
costsweremeasuredat 3-monthintervals
and cost-effectivenesswas assessedusing
thenet-benefit approach.
Results The group receivingcognitive
therapyhad significantlybetter clinical
outcomes.The extra costswere offset by
reduced service use elsewhere.The
probabilityofcognitivetherapybeingcosteffectivewashigh
androbustto different
therapyprices.
Conclusions Combination of cognitive
therapyandmoodstabiliserswas superior
tomood stabilisers aloneinterms of
clinicaloutcome and cost-effectiveness for
thosewithfrequent relapses of bipolar
disorder.