Overall , the cohort Markov models remain the most popular approach , followed by decision trees , Individual based model and System dynamics model ( SD ) .
Conclusions This review paper informs policy makers about the availability of modelling techniques that can be used to enhance the quality of economic evaluations for drug and alcohol treatment interventions
Background The overarching goal of health policies is to maximize health and societal benefits .
Economic evaluations can play a vital role in assessing whether or not such benefits occur .
This paper review s the application of modelling techniques in economic evaluations of drug and alcohol interventions with regard to ( i ) modelling paradigms themselves ; ( ii ) perspectives of costs and benefits and ( iii ) time frame .
Cost-utility analysis of methadone maintenance treatment in Lithuania.
BACKGROUND Economic evaluations in health care involve the identification , measurement , valuation , and then comparison of the costs ( inputs ) and outcomes of treatments or preventive activities . The aim was to analyze the cost-utility of six-month methadone maintenance treatment program in a Lithuanian primary health care setting . METHODS A prospect i ve study design was used . All the information was obtained through the vali date d question naires at the baseline and 3- and 6-month follow-ups . WHOQOL-BREF was used to assess the quality of life ; the costs were assessed using the DATCAP methodology from the perspective of a patient and outpatient clinic during follow-up period . RESULTS A total of 102 opioid-dependent patients were recruited in the study ; 512 follow-up patient-months were obtained . The methadone maintenance treatment has significantly improved physical , psychological , and environmental components of quality of life during follow-up . Total program costs were 61 288.87 EUR . Cost paid by a patient comprised about 31 % of total program costs . Cost per quality -adjusted life-month ( QALM ) for physical domain was 2227.55 EUR ; for psychological domain , 1879.50 EUR ; for social domain , 5467.64 EUR ; and for environmental domain , 4626.47 EUR . Costs per QALM and quality -adjusted life-year ( QALY ) for total quality of life in the maintenance program were 2864.00 EUR and 34 368.00 EUR , respectively . CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that 6-month methadone maintenance program was effective in the terms of quality -of-life improvement .  Methadone maintenance treatment program was less effective in terms of cost per QALY
Overall , the cohort Markov models remain the most popular approach , followed by decision trees , Individual based model and System dynamics model ( SD ) .
Conclusions This review paper informs policy makers about the availability of modelling techniques that can be used to enhance the quality of economic evaluations for drug and alcohol treatment interventions
Background The overarching goal of health policies is to maximize health and societal benefits .
Economic evaluations can play a vital role in assessing whether or not such benefits occur .
This paper review s the application of modelling techniques in economic evaluations of drug and alcohol interventions with regard to ( i ) modelling paradigms themselves ; ( ii ) perspectives of costs and benefits and ( iii ) time frame .