Cost-effectiveness of inpatient and intensive outpatient treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A randomized, controlled trial.
Women with active rheumatoid arthritis who were judged to be in need of hospitalization were assigned at random to receive inpatient therapy (n = 35) or intensive outpatient therapy (n = 36). All relevant costs of treatment were measured. At 19 weeks, clinical outcomes, as summarized in a pooled index, were significantly better in the inpatient group (pooled index units: inpatient 0.72, outpatient 0.25; F[1,69] = 10.9, P = 0.002). Inpatient therapy produced a sustained three-fold increase in efficacy, at a 2.5-fold increase in cost to society.
Helewa
A
A
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Bombardier
C
C
Goldsmith
C H
CH
Menchions
B
B
Smythe
H A
HA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents