Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The Copenhagen Outpatient ProgrammE - implantable cardioverter defibrillator (COPE-ICD) trial included patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators in a randomized controlled trial of rehabilitation. After 6-12 months significant differences were found in favour of the rehabilitation group for exercise capacity, general and mental health. The aim of this paper is to explore the long-term health effects and cost implications associated with the rehabilitation programme; more specifically, (i) to compare implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy history and mortality between rehabilitation and usual care groups; (ii) to examine the difference between rehabilitation and usual care groups in terms of time to first admission; and (iii) to determine attributable direct costs.
METHODS: Patients with first-time implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation (n = 196) were randomized (1:1) to comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation or usual care. Outcomes were measured by implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy history from patient records and national register follow-up on mortality, hospital admissions and costs.
RESULTS: No significant differences were found after 3 years for implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy or mortality between rehabilitation and usual care. Time to first admission did not differ. The cost of rehabilitation was 335 USD/276 Euro per patient enrolled in rehabilitation. The total attributable cost of rehabilitation after 3 years was -6,789 USD/-5,593 Euro in favour of rehabilitation.
CONCLUSION: No long-term health outcome benefits were found for the rehabilitation programme. However, the rehabilitation programme resulted in a reduction in total attributable direct costs.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 3 |
Pages (from-to) | 267-72 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISSN | 1650-1977 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2015 |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac
- Defibrillators, Implantable
- Denmark
- Exercise Therapy
- Female
- Health Care Costs
- Hospitalization
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Young Adult