Is it cost‐effective to provide internet‐based interventions to complement the current provision of smoking cessation services in the Netherlands? An analysis based on the EQUIPTMOD

Abstract

Background and aimThe cost‐effectiveness of internet‐based smoking cessation interventions is difficult to determine when they are provided as a complement to current smoking cessation services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of such an alternate package compared with existing smoking cessation services alone (current package).MethodsA literature search was conducted to identify internet‐based smoking cessation interventions in the Netherlands. A meta‐analysis was then performed to determine the pooled effectiveness of a (web‐based) computer‐tailored intervention. The mean cost of implementing internet based interventions was calculated using available information, while intervention reach was sourced from an English study. We used EQUIPTMOD, a Markov‐based state‐transition model, to calculate the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios [expressed as cost per quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) gained] for different time horizons to assess the value of providing internet‐based interventions to complement the current package.). Deterministic sensitivity analyses tested the uncertainty around intervention costs per smoker, relative risks, and the intervention reach.ResultsInternet‐based interventions had an estimated pooled relative risk of 1.40; average costs per smoker of €2.71; and a reach of 0.41% of all smokers. The alternate package (i.e. provision of internet‐based intervention to the current package) was dominant (cost‐saving) compared with the current package alone (0.14 QALY gained per 1000 smokers; reduced health‐care costs of €602.91 per 1000 smokers for the life‐time horizon). The alternate package remained dominant in all sensitivity analyses.ConclusionProviding internet‐based smoking cessation interventions to complement the current provision of smoking cessation services could be a cost‐saving policy option in the Netherlands.

Web-based exercise interventions for patients with depressive and anxiety disorders: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

“… 22 These interventions prescribe a structured exercise program that is performed at home 23 with varying degrees of supervision, differing from interventions that only focus on motivating people to exercise. 24 These interventions provide inexpensive and time-saving alternatives to in loco exercise programs, 25 , 26 and the programs can vary from yoga 27 to aerobic-based exercise, 23 although little is known regarding dosage, i.e., recommendations about frequency, intensity and volume do not depart from generic exercise recommendations. 28 To our knowledge, there are no clear guidelines about prescribing web-based exercise interventions to people with depressive or anxiety disorders.…”

Using Serious Games for Antismoking Health Campaigns: Experimental Study

“…Compared to nontailored messages, tailored messages are more likely to be read, understood, recalled, and perceived as trustworthy; thereby, they have a greater potential for persuasion and behavioral change [65][66][67][68][69]. Particularly, tailored messages have been effective in fear appeal strategies by motivating individuals to think that the risk condition may happen to them (ie, increasing perceived susceptibility) [70][71][72].…”

Genetic variants in CYP2A6 and UGT1A9 genes associated with urinary nicotine metabolites in young Mexican smokers

“…The ethnicity and age of the studied subjects may explain the lack of associations among nicotine metabolites and variants in other UGTs involved in nicotine metabolism, like UGT2B17, UGT2B7, and UGT1A4, as reported in other studies [ 39 , 44 ]. Expression of these UGTs may be related to the age, and most of the studies of nicotine metabolism has been performed in elderly subjects [ 45 – 47 ]. The expression of UGT1A9 is age-dependent.…”