Cost effectiveness of olanzapine in prevention of affective episodes in bipolar disorder in the United Kingdom

This study evaLuated the cost effectiveness of oLanzapine compared with lithium as maintenance therapy for patients with bipoLar I disorder (BP1) in the UK.A Markov model was deveLoped to assess costs and outcomes from the perspective of the UK National HeaLth Service over a 1-year period. Patients enter the modeL after stabilization of a manic episode and are then treated with olanzapine or lithium. Using the findings of a recent randomized clinical trial, the modeL considers the monthly risk of manic or depressive episodes and of dropping out from allocated therapy. Health care resources associated with acute episodes were derived primarily from a recent UK chart review. Costs of maintenance therapy and monitoring were also considered. Key factors influencing cost effectiveness were identified and included in a stochastic sensitivity analysis.The model estimated that, compared to lithium, olanzapine significantly reduced the annual number of acute mood episodes per patient from 0.81 to 0.58 (difference ...