Can Technology-Based Physical Activity Programs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Be Cost-Effective?

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Health Economics
• Digital Health

Background:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management often involves lifestyle interventions.
• Technology-based physical activity (PA) interventions are emerging as a novel approach for COPD patients.
• Assessing the economic value of these interventions is crucial for widespread adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a technology-based PA intervention for individuals with COPD.
• To compare the cost-effectiveness of an activity monitor alone versus an activity monitor combined with a web-based PA intervention against usual care.

Main Methods:

• Secondary data analysis from a randomized controlled trial involving COPD patients.
• Economic modeling to estimate cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).
• Probabilistic simulation to assess the likelihood of cost-effectiveness at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY.

Main Results:

• The ICER for the activity monitor alone was $10,437/QALY, and for the combined intervention, it was $13,065/QALY, both below the $50,000/QALY threshold.
• Probabilistic simulations indicated that 76% of the activity monitor-alone group and 78% of the combined intervention group were cost-effective.
• Both intervention strategies demonstrated cost-effectiveness at the base case using conventional willingness-to-pay thresholds.

Conclusions:

• Technology-based PA interventions, including activity monitors and web-based programs, are cost-effective for COPD management.
• These interventions provide good economic value compared to usual care.
• Future research should focus on refining health utility and healthcare cost estimations for a more precise economic evaluation.