Continuous glucose monitoring ‘cost-effective’ says new research
Research published in Diabetes Care showed the use of continuous glucose monitoring had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $98,108/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY).
CGM also resulted in HbA1c reductions, daily test strip use and daily rate of non-severe hypoglycaemia events among people with type 1 diabetes with an HbA1c of at least 7.5 per cent, compared with the control group.
A study in Diabetes Care showed that the use of continuous glucose monitoring had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $98,108/quality-adjusted life year and resulted in reductions in A1C, daily test strip use and daily rate of non-severe hypoglycemia events among type 1 diabetes patients with an A1C of at least 7.5%, compared with the control group. Researchers used a cohort of 158 patients and found that both groups had similar QALY over six months.
Researchers from The University of Chicago randomised 158 people in a 2:1 ratio to CGM or control. Participants were surveyed at baseline and six months. Within-trial and lifetime cost-effectiveness analyses were conducted. The main outcome was cost per QALY gained.
The results showed: “Within the six-month trial, the CGM group had similar QALYs to the control group (0.462 ± 0.05 vs. 0.455 ± 0.06 years, P = 0.61). The total 6-month costs were $11,032 (CGM) vs. $7,236 (control). The CGM group experienced reductions in HbA1c (0.60 ± 0.74 per cent difference in difference [DiD]), P < 0.01), the daily rate of nonsevere hypoglycemia events (0.07 DiD, P = 0.013), and daily test strip use (0.55 ± 1.5 DiD, P = 0.04) compared with the control group.
“In the lifetime analysis, CGM was projected to reduce the risk of T1D complications and increase QALYs by 0.54. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was $98,108 per QALY for the overall population. By extending sensor use from 7 to 10 days in a real-world scenario, the ICER was reduced to $33,459 per QALY.”
The researchers concluded: “For adults with T1D using multiple insulin injections and still experiencing suboptimal glycemic control, CGM is cost-effective at the willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY, with improved glucose control and reductions in nonsevere hypoglycaemia.”
To access the study, click here.