Incidence and predictors for cardiovascular disease in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus - a population-based retrospective cohort study

Precision prognostics for cardiovascular disease in Type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Precision medicine has the potential to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction in individuals with Type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies to identify potentially novel prognostic factors that may improve CVD risk prediction in T2D. Out of 9380 studies identified, 416 studies met inclusion criteria. Outcomes were reported for 321 biomarker studies, 48 genetic marker studies, and 47 risk score/model studies.

RESULTS

Out of all evaluated biomarkers, only 13 showed improvement in prediction performance. Results of pooled meta-analyses, non-pooled analyses, and assessments of improvement in prediction performance and risk of bias, yielded the highest predictive utility for N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (high-evidence), troponin-T (TnT) (moderate-evidence), triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index (moderate-evidence), Genetic Risk Score for Coronary Heart Disease (GRS-CHD) (moderate-evidence); moderate predictive utility for coronary computed tomography angiography (low-evidence), single-photon emission computed tomography (low-evidence), pulse wave velocity (moderate-evidence); and low predictive utility for C-reactive protein (moderate-evidence), coronary artery calcium score (low-evidence), galectin-3 (low-evidence), troponin-I (low-evidence), carotid plaque (low-evidence), and growth differentiation factor-15 (low-evidence). Risk scores showed modest discrimination, with lower performance in populations different from the original development cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite high interest in this topic, very few studies conducted rigorous analyses to demonstrate incremental predictive utility beyond established CVD risk factors for T2D. The most promising markers identified were NT-proBNP, TnT, TyG and GRS-CHD, with the highest strength of evidence for NT-proBNP. Further research is needed to determine their clinical utility in risk stratification and management of CVD in T2D.

Precision Prognostics for Cardiovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Precision medicine has the potential to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies to identify potentially novel prognostic factors that may improve CVD risk prediction in T2D. Out of 9380 studies identified, 416 studies met inclusion criteria. Outcomes were reported for 321 biomarker studies, 48 genetic marker studies, and 47 risk score/model studies. Results Out of all evaluated biomarkers, only 13 showed improvement in prediction performance. Results of pooled meta-analyses, non-pooled analyses, and assessments of improvement in prediction performance and risk of bias, yielded the highest predictive utility for N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (high-evidence), troponin-T (TnT) (moderate-evidence), triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index (moderate-evidence), Genetic Risk Score for Coronary Heart Disease (GRS-CHD) (moderate-evidence); moderate predictive utility for coronary computed tomography angiography (low-evidence), single-photon emission computed tomography (low-evidence), pulse wave velocity (moderate-evidence); and low predictive utility for C-reactive protein (moderate-evidence), coronary artery calcium score (low-evidence), galectin-3 (low-evidence), troponin-I (low-evidence), carotid plaque (low-evidence), and growth differentiation factor-15 (low-evidence). Risk scores showed modest discrimination, with lower performance in populations different from the original development cohort. Conclusions Despite high interest in this topic, very few studies conducted rigorous analyses to demonstrate incremental predictive utility beyond established CVD risk factors for T2D. The most promising markers identified were NT-proBNP, TnT, TyG and GRS-CHD, with the highest strength of evidence for NT-proBNP. Further research is needed to determine their clinical utility in risk stratification and management of CVD in T2D.

Role of Folic Acid Drugs in the Treatment with Antithrombotic and Anticoagulant Drugs for Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases Based on the Analysis of Virtual Reality Medical Data

In recent years, with the continuous progress and development of science and technology and the increasing maturity of medical technology, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases has gradually increased with the age of the population. In the case of cardiovascular disease, proper anticoagulant therapy can effectively prevent bleeding in the occurrence of events, so a more effective treatment of cardiovascular disease is considered a difficult problem to overcome. Therefore, this article proposes the role of folic acid drugs based on virtual reality medical data analysis in the treatment of cardiovascular disease patients with antithrombotic and anticoagulant drugs, in order to improve providing help for cardiovascular disease. This study selected patients with cardiovascular disease who were admitted to the hospital and extracted 100 patients with complete data and a one-year follow-up period, covering the overall status of the patients' cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular disease degree, and the occurrence of major cardiovascular adverse events. During the follow-up period, we analyzed the specific status of major cardiovascular adverse events and the occurrence of bleeding events and compared and analyzed the effects of folic acid drugs on the treatment with antithrombotic and anticoagulant drugs in patients with cardiovascular disease. Experiments have proved that the differences in the degree of cardiovascular stenosis and the number of cardiovascular disease vessels in the four groups are statistically significant (P < 0.01). The degree of cardiovascular stenosis in group D was lighter than that in groups A, B, and C, and the number of cardiovascular lesions was also less than that in groups A, B, and C. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). This indicates that folic acid can effectively treat cardiovascular stenosis, prevent cardiovascular disease, and then treat patients with cardiovascular disease with antithrombotic and anticoagulant drugs. It provides an important basis for accurate clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Association between the severity of liver fibrosis and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the principal cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, we assessed whether liver fibrosis predicted the risk of CVD in patients with T2D.

METHODS

A total of 1481 patients who had commenced oral antidiabetic drugs to treat newly diagnosed T2D between 2006 and 2010 were recruited. The fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS), and BARD score were used to assess fibrotic burden at the time of T2D diagnosis.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period (median 88.1 [interquartile range 36.6-113.6] months), 242 (16.3%) patients developed CVD. CVD occurred frequently in older patients and was associated with hypertension; metabolic syndrome; obesity; smoking; administration of statin, which is an antihyperlipidemic drug; lower platelet counts; lower alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, and HbA1c levels; higher C-peptide and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance levels; and higher FIB-4, NFS, and BARD score (all P < 0.05). FIB-4 (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.163), NFS (HR = 1.322), BARD score (HR = 1.564), metabolic syndrome (HR = 1.556), smoking (HR = 2.829), and statin use (HR = 0.603) independently predicted the risk of CVD (all P < 0.05). The cumulative incidence of CVD was significantly different among groups stratified by liver fibrotic burden (all P < 0.05, log-rank test). Competing risk analysis showed a significant association between the severity of liver fibrosis and CVD development (all P < 0.001, Gray's test).

CONCLUSIONS

The severity of liver fibrosis independently predicted CVD in patients with T2D. Thus, assessment of liver fibrosis might allow physicians to optimize the timing of appropriate cardiovascular interventions in such patients.

Incidence and Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease among Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Tertiary Health Care Setting of Ethiopia: 8-Year Retrospective Follow-Up Study

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death and disability among people with diabetes in the world and it is proving to be a major barrier to sustainable human development. Despite CVD continuing to devastate human survival, few studies in Ethiopia have focused on its prevalence which alone are insufficient to assess the risk of incident cardiovascular events. Therefore, we determined the incidence and predictors of cardiovascular disease among diabetic patients in a selected tertiary healthcare setting of Ethiopia.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study using secondary data was conducted on 399 randomly selected diabetes patients. Data were entered using Epi-Data and analyzed using Stata version 14. Multivariable Weibull proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of CVDs (namely, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD)) at 5% level of significance.

Results

After a median follow-up of 5.9 years, the overall incidence rate of CVD per 100 person–years (PY) was 2.71 (95% CI=16.9–17.6). The multivariable Weibull proportional hazard regression analysis showed a significant association of chronic kidney disease (CKD); (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) [95% CI]=2.53 [1.36–4.72]), systolic blood pressure (SBP)≥140; (AHR [95% CI]=4.30 [2.12–8.73]) and triglyceride (TG)≥200 mg/dL; (AHR [95% CI[=5.10 [2.02–12.89]) with risk of incident CVD.

Conclusion

CVD is a public health problem among diabetic patients in Ethiopia. SBP≥140, chronic kidney disease, and high triglyceride were independent predictors of new CVD among diabetic patients. These findings emphasize the need of attention for CVD patients with CKD and hypertension (HTN) comorbidities and a longer follow-up period using a prospective study design to determine the long-term effects of predictors of CVD among diabetic patients.

Individualised risk prediction model for new-onset, progression and regression of chronic kidney disease in a retrospective cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes under primary care in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVES

This study is aimed to develop and validate a prediction model for multistate transitions across different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus under primary care.

SETTING

We retrieved the anonymised electronic health records of a population-based retrospective cohort in Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 26 197 patients were included in the analysis.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The new-onset, progression and regression of CKD were defined by the transitions of four stages that were classified by combining glomerular filtration rate and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. We applied a multiscale multistate Poisson regression model to estimate the rates of the stage transitions by integrating the baseline demographic characteristics, routine laboratory test results and clinical data from electronic health records.

RESULTS

During the mean follow-up time of 1.8 years, there were 2632 patients newly diagnosed with CKD, 1746 progressed to the next stage and 1971 regressed into an earlier stage. The models achieved the best performance in predicting the new-onset and progression with the predictors of sex, age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, haemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides and drug prescriptions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that individual risks of new-onset and progression of CKD can be predicted from the routine physical and laboratory test results. The individualised prediction curves developed from this study could potentially be applied to routine clinical practices, to facilitate clinical decision making, risk communications with patients and early interventions.

Incidence of cardiovascular disease and its associated risk factors in at-risk men and women in the United Arab Emirates: a 9-year retrospective cohort study

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide; however, the epidemiology of CVD among nationals from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains unknown. This study aimed to estimate the 9-year incidence rate of CVD and determine the risk factors associated with CVD among UAE nationals at high cardiovascular risk. In addition, we investigated whether sex was an important modifier of the risk factors associated with incident CVD in this population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 977 subjects, including 492 women, aged ≥18 years, who did not have histories of CVD, and who had ≥1 CVD risk factors. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses stratified by sex were used to examine the predictors of major CVD events, namely, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and acute peripheral arterial occlusion.

Results

During a median follow-up period of 8.9 years, the incidence rate of major CVD was 12.7 per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.4–15.4), and among men and women were 16.8 (95% CI 12.9–21.4) and 9.0 (95% CI 6.4–12.4) per 1000 person-years, respectively. Major CVD and MI were significantly more frequent among men than women, and the stroke and acute peripheral arterial occlusion rates were similar for both sexes. Multivariable Cox analyses showed that the systolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and serum glycosylated hemoglobin A1c level were strong predictors of major CVD in both sexes. Among women, the total cholesterol (TC)-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (hazard ratio [HR] 1.44, 95% CI 1.02–2.04) was an additional independent predictor of major CVD. Age (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.19–1.89) and a history of smoking (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.07–3.02) were significant risk factors associated with major CVD in men.

Conclusions

Among high-risk UAE nationals who did not have histories of CVD, the risk of major CVD was associated with high systolic blood pressure, a low estimated glomerular filtration rate, and poorly controlled diabetes. The high TC-to-HDL-C ratios, especially among women, and smoking among men, are modifiable risk factors that should be managed aggressively.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12872-019-1131-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Ten-year risk prediction models of complications and mortality of Chinese patients with diabetes mellitus in primary care in Hong Kong: a study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major disease burden worldwide because it is associated with disabling and lethal complications. DM complication risk assessment and stratification is key to cost-effective management and tertiary prevention for patients with diabetes in primary care. Existing risk prediction functions were found to be inaccurate in Chinese patients with diabetes in primary care. This study aims to develop 10-year risk prediction models for total cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and all-cause mortality among Chinese patients with DM in primary care.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A 10-year cohort study on a population-based primary care cohort of Chinese patients with diabetes, who were receiving care in the Hospital Authority General Outpatient Clinic on or before 1 January 2008, were identified from the clinical management system database of the Hospital Authority. All patients with complete baseline risk factors will be included and followed from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017 for the development and validation of prediction models. The analyses will be carried out separately for men and women. Two-thirds of subjects will be randomly selected as the training sample for model development. Cox regressions will be used to develop 10-year risk prediction models of total CVD and all-cause mortality. The validity of models will be tested on the remaining one-third of subjects by Harrell's C-statistics and calibration plot. Risk prediction models for diabetic complications specific to Chinese patients in primary care will enable accurate risk stratification, prioritisation of resources and more cost-effective interventions for patients with DM in primary care.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong-the Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (reference number: UW 15-258).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03299010; Pre-results.

Risk factors of chronic kidney diseases in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes

In this study we conducted a cross sectional study to comprehensively evaluated the risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a large sample of Chinese adults under primary care for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We investigated the risk factors associated with the prevalence of CKD in adults with T2DM, who were enrolled in the Risk Factor Assessment and Management Programme for Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (RAMP-DM) of Hong Kong from July 2014 to June 2017. We collected the individual data of 31,574 subjects, with mean age of 63.0 (±10.8) years and mean DM duration of 7.4 (±6.4) years. Of them 9,386 (29.7%) had CKD and 7,452 (23.6%) had micro- or macro-albuminuria. After adjustment for multiple demographic and lifestyle confounders, we identified several modifiable risk factors associated with higher rate of CKD: obesity (OR = 1.54), current smoking (OR = 1.33), higher systolic blood pressure (OR = 1.01), dyslipidemia (OR = 1.32 and 0.61 for triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)), hyperglycemia (OR = 1.11 for HbA1c), diabetic retinopathy (OR = 1.36 and 2.60 for non-sight and sight threatening retinopathy), and stroke (OR = 1.43). The risk factors of lower dialytic blood pressure and coronary heart disease were identified only in men, whereas peripheral arterial disease only in women. In conclusion, several modifiable and gender specific risk factors were significantly associated with higher prevalence of CKD in Chinese adults with T2DM. The high-risk populations identified in this study shall receive regular screening for renal functions to achieve better patient management in primary care settings.

Development and validation of a Health Policy Model of Type 2 diabetes in Chinese setting

Aim: Due to the difference in epidemiology and outcomes between eastern and western populations with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), an important challenge is determining how useful the outcomes from diabetes models based on western populations are for eastern patients. Consequently, the principal aim of this study was to develop and validate a Health Policy Model (Chinese Outcomes Model for T2DM [COMT]) for supporting Chinese medical and health economic studies. Methods: The model is created to simulate a series of important complications of T2DM diabetes based on the latest Risk Equations for Complications of Type 2 Diabetes, which was adjusted by adding the adjustment regulator to the linear predictor within the risk equation. The validity of the model was conducted by using a total of 171 validation outcomes from seven studies in eastern populations and ten studies in western populations. The simulation cohorts in the COMT model were generated by copying each validation study's baseline characteristics. Concordance was tested by assessing the difference between the identity (45°) line and the best-fitting regression of the scatterplots for the predicted versus observed outcomes. Results: The slope coefficients of the best-fitting regression line between the predicted and corresponding observed actual outcomes was 0.9631 and the R² was 0.8701. There were major differences between western and eastern populations. The slope and R² of predictions were 0.9473 and 0.9272 in the eastern population and 1.0566 and 0.8863 in the western population, which showed more perfect agreement with the observed values in the eastern population than the western populations. The subset of macro-vascular and micro-vascular outcomes in the eastern population showed an identical tendency (the slope coefficient was close to 1), and mortality outcomes showed a slight tendency toward overestimation (the slope coefficient was close to 0.9208). Some degree of underprediction of macro-vascular and micro-vascular end points and overprediction of mortality end point was found in the western population. Conclusion: The COMT diabetes model simulated the long-term patient outcomes observed in eastern Asian T2DM patients with prediction accuracy. This study supports the COMT as a credible tool for Chinese healthcare decision makers. Further work is necessary to incorporate new local data to improve model validity and credibility.

Low triglyceride as a marker for increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with long-term type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional survey in China

BACKGROUND

There are inconsistent findings regarding associations between triglyceride levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to test whether the association between triglycerides and CVD depends upon duration of diabetes.

METHODS

From April 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 223 612 patients with T2DM from 630 hospitals in China. Cardiovascular disease was defined as having either prior coronary heart disease or stroke, or diabetic foot. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios of triglyceride for CVD. Relative excess risk due to interaction, attributable proportion due to interaction, and synergy index were used to estimate effect size of additive interaction between low triglyceride, ie, <1.7 mmol/L, and duration of diabetes, ie, ≥15 years.

RESULTS

Among 223 612 T2DM patients, 31 898 (14.27%) suffered from CVD. A low level of triglyceride was associated with decreased risk of CVD (univariable OR, 0.91, 95% CI, 0.88-0.93; multivariable OR, 0.94, 95% CI, 0.92-0.97) among patients with <15 years of duration of diabetes but increased risk of CVD (univariable OR, 1.12, 95% CI, 1.04-1.21; multivariable OR, 1.18, 95% CI, 1.09-1.27) among those patients with 15 and more years of duration of diabetes with significant additive interactions (relative excess risk due to interaction, 0.39, 95% CI, 0.25-0.52; attributable proportion due to interaction, 0.20, 95% CI, 0.14-0.27; and synergy index, 1.80, 95% CI, 1.43-2.28).

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas a high triglyceride level was associated with increased risk of CVD in short-term T2DM, low triglyceride was associated with increased CVD risk in long-term T2DM. Low triglyceride may be a marker of CVD risk in Chinese patients with long-term T2DM.

Development of a cardiovascular diseases risk prediction model and tools for Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A population-based retrospective cohort study

AIMS

Evidence-based cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk prediction models and tools specific for Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are currently unavailable. This study aimed to develop and validate a CVD risk prediction model for Chinese T2DM patients.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 137 935 Chinese patients aged 18 to 79 years with T2DM and without prior history of CVD, who had received public primary care services between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010. Using the derivation cohort over a median follow-up of 5 years, the interaction effect between predictors and age were derived using Cox proportional hazards regression with a forward stepwise approach. Harrell's C statistic and calibration plot were used on the validation cohort to assess the discrimination and calibration of the models. The web calculator and chart were developed based on the developed models.

RESULTS

For both genders, predictors for higher risk of CVD were older age, smoking, longer diabetes duration, usage of anti-hypertensive drug and insulin, higher body mass index, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, a total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio and urine albumin to creatinine ratio, and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. Interaction factors with age demonstrated a greater weighting of TC/HDL-C ratio in both younger females and males, and smoking status and HbA1c in younger males.

CONCLUSION

The developed models, translated into a web calculator and color-coded chart, served as evidence-based visual aids that facilitate clinicians to estimate quickly the 5-year CVD risk for Chinese T2DM patients and to guide intervention.

Prediction of five-year all-cause mortality in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus - A population-based retrospective cohort study

AIMS

This study aimed to develop and validate an all-cause mortality risk prediction model for Chinese primary care patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) in Hong Kong.

METHODS

A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted on 132,462 Chinese patients who had received public primary care services during 2010. Each gender sample was randomly split on a 2:1 basis into derivation and validation cohorts and was followed-up for a median period of 5years. Gender-specific mortality risk prediction models showing the interaction effect between predictors and age were derived using Cox proportional hazards regression with forward stepwise approach. Developed models were compared with pre-existing models by Harrell's C-statistic and calibration plot using validation cohort.

RESULTS

Common predictors of increased mortality risk in both genders included: age; smoking habit; diabetes duration; use of anti-hypertensive agents, insulin and lipid-lowering drugs; body mass index; hemoglobin A1c; systolic blood pressure(BP); total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio; urine albumin to creatinine ratio(urine ACR); and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR). Prediction models showed better discrimination with Harrell"'s C-statistics of 0.768(males) and 0.782(females) and calibration power from the plots than previously established models.

CONCLUSIONS

Our newly developed gender-specific models provide a more accurate predicted 5-year mortality risk for Chinese diabetic patients than other established models.

Cost-effectiveness of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor monotherapy in elderly type 2 diabetes patients in Thailand

BACKGROUND

The management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in elderly population poses many challenges. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors show particular promise due to excellent tolerability profiles, low risk of hypoglycemia, and little effect on body weight. This study evaluated, from the health care system's perspective, the long-term cost-effectiveness of DPP-4 inhibitor monotherapy vs metformin and sulfonylurea (SFU) monotherapy in Thai elderly T2DM patients.

METHODS

The clinical efficacy was estimated from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Baseline cohort characteristics and cost parameters were obtained from published studies and hospital databases in Thailand. A validated IMS CORE Diabetes Model version 8.5 was used to project clinical and economic outcomes over a lifetime horizon using a 3% annual discount rate. Costs were expressed in 2014 Thai Baht (THB) (US dollar value). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated. Base-case assumptions were assessed through several sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

For treating elderly T2DM patients, DPP-4 inhibitors were more expensive and less effective, ie, a dominated strategy, than the metformin monotherapy. Compared with SFU, treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors gained 0.031 more quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at a total cost incurred over THB113,701 or US$3,449.67, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of THB3.63 million or US$110,133.50 per QALY. At the acceptable Thai ceiling threshold of THB160,000/QALY (US$4,854.37/QALY), DPP-4 inhibitors were not a cost-effective treatment.

CONCLUSION

DPP-4 inhibitor monotherapy is not a cost-effective treatment for elderly T2DM patients compared with metformin monotherapy and SFU monotherapy, given current resource constraints in Thailand.