title: Cost-effectiveness of a supplementary class-based exercise program in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a class-based exercise program supplementing a home-based program when compared with a home-based program alone. In addition, we estimated the probability that the supplementary class program is cost-effective over a range of values of a decision maker's willingness to pay for an additional quality-adjusted life-year (QALY).
  
  
  METHODS
  The resource use and effectiveness data were collected as part of the clinical trial detailed elsewhere. Unit costs were estimated from published sources. The net benefit approach to cost-effectiveness analysis is used to estimate the probability of the intervention being cost-effective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The addition of a supplementary class-based group results in an increase in QALYs and lower costs. For all plausible values of a decision maker's willingness to pay for a QALY, the supplementary class group is likely to be cost-effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of a class-based exercise program is likely to be cost-effective and, on current evidence, should be implemented.
authors: Centre for Health Economics, University of York, UK. gar2@york.ac.uk
authors: Gerry
authors: G
authors: Richardson
authors: Neil
authors: N
authors: Hawkins
authors: Christopher James
authors: CJ
authors: McCarthy
authors: Pauline Mary
authors: PM
authors: Mills
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Pullen
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Roberts
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Silman
authors: Jacqueline Ann
authors: JA
authors: Oldham