Cost consequence analysis of Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2 (ADMET 2)

Background:This paper used data from the Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2 (NCT02346201) to conduct a planned cost consequence analysis to investigate whether treatment of apathy with methylphenidate is economically attractive.Methods:A total of 167 patients with clinically significant apathy randomized to either methylphenidate or placebo were included. The Resource Utilization in Dementia Lite instrument assessed resource utilization for the past 30 days and the EuroQol five dimension five level questionnaire assessed health utility at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Resources were converted to costs using standard sources and reported in 2021 USD. A repeated measures analysis of variance compared change in costs and utility over time between the treatment and placebo groups. A binary logistic regression was used to assess cost predictors.Results:Costs were not significantly different between groups whether the cost of methylphenidate was excluded (F(2,330) = 0.626, ?(p) (2) = 0.004, p = 0.535) or included (F(2,330) = 0.629, ?(p) (2) = 0.004, p = 0.534). Utility improved with methylphenidate treatment as there was a group by time interaction (F(2,330) = 7.525, ?(p) (2) = 0.044, p < 0.001).Discussion:Results from this study indicated that there was no evidence for a difference in resource utilization costs between methylphenidate and placebo treatment. However, utility improved significantly over the 6-month follow-up period. These results can aid in decision-making to improve quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's disease while considering the burden on the healthcare system.

Automated summary

This study conducted a cost consequence analysis using data from the Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2 to investigate the economic attractiveness of treating apathy with methylphenidate. The results showed that methylphenidate treatment improved health utility over the 6-month follow-up period, while there was no significant difference in resource utilization costs between the treatment and placebo groups. These findings can help decision-making to improve the quality of life for patients with Alzheimer's disease while considering the burden on the healthcare system.