[Cost-effectiveness of anxiolytics in anxiety disorders]. / Costo-efectividad de ansiolíticos en los trastornos de ansiedad.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: adequate treatment of anxiety disorders reduces the economic impact, improves functionality in daily life activities and quality of life. Pharmacologic treatment depends on patient's characteristics and doctor's experience. The aim of this study was to determine the use of resources in anxiety disorder and to analyze its cost-effectiveness. METHODS: use of resources related to chronic treatment of anxiety disorders and cost-effectiveness of drugs were determined, as well as patients' out-of-pocket expenses and productivity loss. A one-year time horizon and decision tree with benzodiazepines, selective inhibitor of serotonin re-intake (SISR) and tricyclic antidepressant drugs were included. RESULTS: benzodiazepines were the treatment that had the lowest total cost ($147,587 MXP), followed by SISR (incremental cost of $2,182 MXP), and the highest cost was tricyclic antidepressant drugs ($155,903 MXP). CONCLUSIONS: benzodiazepines are good alternative for anxiety disorder because of their high effectiveness to control symptoms and because they reduce hospital costs.