Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Atomoxetine Versus Behavioral Therapy Versus Combination of Both in Children with Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD)

High prevalence of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Mental Health settings for children, and substantial impact on children, their parents life, and society has made ADHD a major public health concern. To analyze the cost effectiveness of medication (Atomoxetine), behavioral therapy, and combined treatment of Atomoxetine and behavioral therapy for treatment of ADHD in children from payer perspective with time horizon: 12 weeks. A prospective trial based economic evaluation conducted on children (6 to 12 years ), in psychiatric out patients clinic at Abasseya Mental Hospital (AMH), Cairo ,Egypt , and had a clinical diagnoses of ADHD as defined in the Diagnostic and statistical Manual fourth edition (DSM_IV). Were classified into three groups: medication only group, behavioral therapy group, and combined medication and behavioral therapy group . Each treatment had both a cost and an outcome associated with it. Cost effectiveness ratio comprising the average total cost per child per unit of outcome [three months-Quality Adjusted Life Years] "QALY" in each of the three groups. The combined therapy was associated with the highest cost effective ratio C/E Ratio of 7695.524 LE per QALY, medication therapy was 4381.927 LE per QALY, While C/E Ratio of behavioral therapy was 3337.339 LE per QALY. The sensitivity analyses: show that the utility values of all health states are crucial determinants of the cost-effectiveness results. Combined therapy associated with greatest health benefits and highest costs. Behavioral therapy was the least effective and cheapest option.