Cost-effectiveness of the ReDIRECT/counterweight-plus weight management programme to alleviate symptoms of long COVID

Heather L. Fraser (), Laura Haag, Naomi Brosnahan, Alex McConnachie, Janice Richardson, Caroline E. Haig, Tracy Ibbotson, Jane Ormerod, Catherine A. O’Donnell, Michael E. J. Lean, Naveed Sattar, David N. Blane, Emilie Combet and Emma McIntosh
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Heather L. Fraser: University of Glasgow
Laura Haag: University of Glasgow
Naomi Brosnahan: University of Glasgow
Alex McConnachie: University of Glasgow
Janice Richardson: University of Glasgow
Caroline E. Haig: University of Glasgow
Tracy Ibbotson: University of Glasgow
Jane Ormerod: Long Covid Scotland
Catherine A. O’Donnell: University of Glasgow
Michael E. J. Lean: University of Glasgow
Naveed Sattar: University of Glasgow
David N. Blane: University of Glasgow
Emilie Combet: University of Glasgow
Emma McIntosh: University of Glasgow

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Long-term effects of COVID-19 infection, termed Long COVID (LC), are associated with reduced quality of life. Symptoms associated with overweight/obesity overlap with and may aggravate those of LC. This paper reports the economic evaluation alongside the ReDIRECT Trial, which evaluated the impact of an evidence-based, remotely-delivered weight management programme on self-reported symptoms of LC in those living with overweight/obesity in the United Kingdom. Recruited participants (n = 234) were randomly allocated to the intervention group (weight management) or control group (usual care). Incremental costs and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) were calculated using intervention cost, healthcare resource use and EQ-5D-5L data collected at baseline, three and 6 months. In this work, we show that the ReDIRECT intervention is likely cost-effective in improving LC symptoms from an NHS/PSS perspective, compared to usual care (Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio of £14,754/QALY). Adopting a broader societal perspective, the intervention becomes potentially cost saving compared to usual care.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59909-6

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