Table 1 Cost utility analysis by scenario and treatment group*

Treatment group
 Mean cost* (£)
Mean adjusted QALYs*{dagger}
 Incremental cost effectiveness ratio to nearest £100 or comment
Manipulation and exercise both available (n=1287)


Best care in general practice
346
0.618

Best care plus exercise
486
0.635
Dominated by combined treatment, which costs less and gains more QALYs
Best care plus manipulation and exercise
471
0.651
£3800
Best care plus manipulation
541
0.659
£8700 relative to manipulation and exercise
Exercise not available (n=623)


Best care in general practice
346
0.622

Best care plus manipulation
541
0.663
£4800 relative to best care
Manipulation not available (n=668)


Best care in general practice
346
0.610

Best care plus exercise
486
0.627
£8300 relative to best care

QALY=quality adjusted life year.

* Markov Chain Monte Carlo estimates from bivariate multilevel model.

{dagger} Estimated by analysis of covariance with adjustment for baseline EQ-5D score and then rounded to three significant figures.