Public Health

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Gerontology
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is increasingly utilized to assess the economic value of dementia interventions.
• Evaluating interventions for dementia requires a clear understanding of the methodologies employed in CBA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize the data analysis approaches, cost and benefit items, data sources, and valuation methods used in CBAs of dementia interventions.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of current CBA practices for dementia care.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted using systematic searches across seven major electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINALH, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, Econlit).
• Included studies were peer-reviewed original articles published in English from January 2010 to December 2023, focusing on CBA of dementia interventions.
• Data extraction and screening were performed independently by two authors, guided by the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist.

Main Results:

• Fifteen studies were included, revealing diverse CBA approaches, including integration with Social Return on Investment (SROI).
• Common cost items included staff training and supplies; common benefit items were Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) and healthcare utilization metrics.
• Cost data often originated from study budgets, with market and shadow pricing used for valuation; benefit data frequently came from social value banks and literature, using the value of statistical life for valuation.

Conclusions:

• Methodological approaches for CBA of dementia interventions are heterogeneous.
• The findings offer valuable guidance for future CBA studies on dementia interventions and similar conditions.
• Understanding these methodological variations is crucial for consistent and reliable economic evaluations in dementia care.