Analytical approach:
The analysis was based on data from a single trial and the authors stated that it considered those costs borne by families and the health care system.
Effectiveness data:
The clinical evidence came from a randomised controlled trial (RCT), which was carried out between 2002 and 2003 in 29 family medical practices in Melbourne, Australia. The methods, study design and clinical results were published elsewhere. There were 34 participating GPs and 163 participating children, with 82 in the intervention group and 81 in the control group. Researchers were blinded to treatment allocation. Children were followed-up at nine and 15 months. The primary endpoint was the child’s body mass index (BMI). The questionnaires used to collect data on primary outcomes and secondary outcomes (physical activity and dietary habits) were reported.
Monetary benefit and utility valuations:
Not included.
Measure of benefit:
Health outcomes were not aggregated and no summary benefit measure was used, as a cost-consequences analysis was carried out. The key clinical endpoints were the changes in the child’s BMI, physical activity, and dietary habits.
Cost data:
The economic analysis included the costs of GP visits and parents’ additional time and money required to meet the changed dietary and physical activity practices. The costs associated with the initial development of the programme were not included. Resource use was derived directly from the trial using three main sources: the LEAP team records, practice audit data, and parental written questionnaires at nine months. The costs were based on tariffs set by the Medicare Benefits Schedule, self-reported out-of-pocket expenses, and average wages in the Australian setting. All costs were in Australian dollars (AUD) and the price year was 2003.
Analysis of uncertainty:
A deterministic sensitivity analysis was undertaken to consider the impact of variations in the unit cost estimates and intervention costs, for example, by assuming greater numbers of children treated per GP.
