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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Cost-effectiveness of a programme of screening and brief interventions for alcohol in primary care in Italy

Authors: Colin Angus, Emanuele Scafato, Silvia Ghirini, Aleksandra Torbica, Francesca Ferre, Pierluigi Struzzo, Robin Purshouse, Alan Brennan

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

As alcohol-related health problems continue to rise, the attention of policy-makers is increasingly turning to Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) programmes. The effectiveness of such programmes in primary healthcare is well evidenced, but very few cost-effectiveness analyses have been conducted and none which specifically consider the Italian context.

Methods

The Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model has been used to model the cost-effectiveness of government pricing and public health policies in several countries including England. This study adapts the model using Italian data to evaluate a programme of screening and brief interventions in Italy. Results are reported as Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratios (ICERs) of SBI programmes versus a ‘do-nothing’ scenario.

Results

Model results show such programmes to be highly cost-effective, with estimated ICERs of €550/Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained for a programme of SBI at next GP registration and €590/QALY for SBI at next GP consultation. A range of sensitivity analyses suggest these results are robust under all but the most pessimistic assumptions.

Conclusions

This study provides strong support for the promotion of a policy of screening and brief interventions throughout Italy, although policy makers should be aware of the resource implications of different implementation options.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Cost-effectiveness of a programme of screening and brief interventions for alcohol in primary care in Italy
Authors
Colin Angus
Emanuele Scafato
Silvia Ghirini
Aleksandra Torbica
Francesca Ferre
Pierluigi Struzzo
Robin Purshouse
Alan Brennan
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-15-26

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