Economic Analyses of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Interventions: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Health Economics

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating neuropsychiatric condition.
• Effective treatments like CBT and SSRIs exist, but their cost-effectiveness needs evaluation.
• Understanding intervention costs is crucial for patient-centered care.

Approach:

• A systematic literature review was conducted.
• Studies were sourced from major databases (PubMed, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane).
• Cost-effectiveness studies published in English between 2010 and 2022 were included.

Key Points:

• 18 cost-effectiveness studies were reviewed.
• Internet-based CBT demonstrated cost-effectiveness for adults and children with OCD.
• Serotonin reuptake inhibitors showed cost utility over CBT in one study.
• High-intensity neuroaugmentation was evaluated for treatment-refractory OCD.

Conclusions:

• Cost-effectiveness data for OCD interventions remain scarce.
• Alternative therapies may offer economic practicality without compromising efficacy.
• Further research is needed to compare emerging treatments with standard CBT.