Cost-effectiveness of increased telephone contact for patients with osteoarthritis. A randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of telephone intervention for patients with osteoarthritis.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled trial.


RESULTS
The intervention did not significantly increase health care costs. The annual costs for a 1-unit improvement in physical functioning and in pain, as measured by the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales, were $70.86 and $31.00, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Telephone contact is a potentially cost-effective intervention in osteoarthritis.
Weinberger
M
M
Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705.
Tierney
W M
WM
Cowper
P A
PA
Katz
B P
BP
Booher
P A
PA
D000368:Aged; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D013689:Telephone / Q000191:economics*