TY - JOUR T1 - Cost-Effectiveness of Internet-Based Self-Management Compared with Usual Care in Asthma A1 - van der Meer, Victor A1 - van den Hout, Wilbert B. A1 - Bakker, Moira J. A1 - Rabe, Klaus F. A1 - Sterk, Peter J. A1 - Assendelft, Willem J. J. A1 - Kievit, Job A1 - Sont, Jacob K. A1 - on behalf of the SMASHING (Self-Management in Asthma Supported by Hospitals, ICT, Nurses and General Practitioners) Study Group Y1 - 2011/11/11 N2 - Background Effectiveness of Internet-based self-management in patients with asthma has been shown, but its cost-effectiveness is unknown. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of Internet-based asthma self-management compared with usual care. Methodology and Principal Findings Cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a randomized controlled trial, with 12 months follow-up. Patients were aged 18 to 50 year and had physician diagnosed asthma. The Internet-based self-management program involved weekly on-line monitoring of asthma control with self-treatment advice, remote Web communications, and Internet-based information. We determined quality adjusted life years (QALYs) as measured by the EuroQol-5D and costs for health care use and absenteeism. We performed a detailed cost price analysis for the primary intervention. QALYs did not statistically significantly differ between the Internet group and usual care: difference 0.024 (95% CI, −0.016 to 0.065). Costs of the Internet-based intervention were $254 (95% CI, $243 to $265) during the period of 1 year. From a societal perspective, the cost difference was $641 (95% CI, $−1957 to $3240). From a health care perspective, the cost difference was $37 (95% CI, $−874 to $950). At a willingness-to-pay of $50000 per QALY, the probability that Internet-based self-management was cost-effective compared to usual care was 62% and 82% from a societal and health care perspective, respectively. Conclusions Internet-based self-management of asthma can be as effective as current asthma care and costs are similar. Trial Registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN79864465 JF - PLOS ONE JA - PLOS ONE VL - 6 IS - 11 UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0027108 SP - e27108 EP - PB - Public Library of Science M3 - doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0027108 ER -