Updated cost-effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: Findings from a phase 3 trial

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263252
• Publication Date: 2022-02-25T19:14:16Z
• Authors: Elliot Marseille; Jennifer M. Mitchell; James G. Kahn
• Keywords: MDMA; Regimen

Severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition in the United States. globally. Using pooled efficacy data from six phase 2 trials, therapy using 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) appeared cost-saving payer's perspective. This study updates cost-effectiveness analysis of this novel new 3 trial, including incremental more intensive regimen compared with shorter regimen.We adapted previously-published Markov model to portray costs health benefits providing MDMA-assisted (MDMA-AT) patients chronic, severe, or extreme PTSD recent standard care. Inputs were based on trial results published literature. The treated 90 clinician administered scale (CAPS-5) total severity score 35 greater at baseline, duration symptoms 6 months longer. primary outcome was assessed 8 weeks after final experimental session. Patients received three 90-minute preparatory psychotherapy sessions, 8-hour active MDMA placebo nine integrative sessions. Our calculates per-patient cost MDMA-AT, net all-cause medical costs, mortality, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), ratios (ICERs). We reported U.S. care perspective for multiple analytic time horizons, (base-case 30 years), conducted extensive sensitivity analyses. Costs QALYs discounted by 3% annually. adjusted 2020 dollars according component Bureau Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI).MDMA-AT as $11,537 per patient. Compared 1,000 patients, MDMA-AT generates savings $132.9 million over years, accruing 4,856 QALYs, averting 61.4 premature deaths. breaks even 3.8 years while delivering 887 QALYs. A third session additional two-session regimen. Hypothetically assuming no has an ICER $2,384 QALY gained.MDMA-AT provided severe chronic perspective, substantial clinical benefit.