Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of sodium-glucose transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Cost-Effectiveness of New Quadruple Therapy Compared With Standard Treatment for Patients With Heart Failure in China

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of the new quadruple therapy regimen of adding sodium-glucose-linked transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, with standard treatment for patients with heart failure (HF) in China. From the payer's perspective, the dates of cardiovascular event recurrences were extracted from a meta-analysis including 6 trials, combined with the treatment cost for patients with HF in China to construct a Markov model. The outcomes included per capita medical costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) data. Single-factor, probability sensitivity analysis, and scenario analysis were used to explore the potential uncertainties of the model. The per capita costs of the new quadruple therapy regimen and standard treatment were $87441.26 and $87087.54, respectively. The new regimen was associated with a mean of 21.44 QALYs gained, compared with 18.60 QALYs gained with the standard treatment. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $124.03 per QALY gained. The sensitivity analysis revealed that changes in the parameters within the set range did not affect the model results. In China, compared with standard treatment, the new quadruple therapy regimen with SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the frequency of cardiovascular events among patients with HF, and it has economic advantages.

A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness Studies of Newer Non-Insulin Antidiabetic Drugs: Trends in Decision-Analytical Models for Modelling of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

We performed a systematic overview of the cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) comparing Non-insulin antidiabetic drugs (NIADs) with other NIADs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), using decision-analytical modelling (DAM), focusing on both the economic results and the underlying methodological choices.

METHODS

Eligible studies were CEAs using DAM to compare NIADs within the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) receptor agonists, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor classes with other NIADs within those classes for the treatment of T2DM. The PubMed, Embase and Econlit databases were searched from 1 January 2018 to 15 November 2022. Two reviewers screened the studies for relevance by titles and abstracts and then for eligibility via full-text screening, extracted the data from the full texts and appendices, and then stored the data in a spreadsheet.

RESULTS

The search yielded 890 records and 50 studies were eligible for inclusion. The studies were mainly based on a European setting (60%). Industry sponsorship was found in 82% of studies. The CORE diabetes model was used in 48% of the studies. GLP1 and SGLT2 products were the main comparators in 31 and 16 studies, respectively, while one study had DPP4 and two had no easily discernible main comparator. Direct comparison between SGLT2 and GLP1 occurred in 19 studies. At a class level, SGLT2 dominated GLP1 in six studies and was cost effective against GLP1 once as part of a treatment pathway. GLP1 was cost effective in nine studies and not cost effective against SGLT2 in three studies. At a product level, oral and injectable semaglutide, and empagliflozin, were cost effective against other within-class products. Injectable and oral semaglutide were more frequently found cost effective in these comparisons, with some conflicting results. Most of the modelled cohorts and treatment effects were sourced from randomised controlled trials. The following model assumptions varied depending on the class of the main comparator: choice of and reasoning behind risk equations, the time until the treatment switch, and how often the comparators were discontinued. Diabetes-related complications were emphasised on par with quality-adjusted life-years as model outputs. The main quality issues were regarding the description of alternatives, the perspective of analysis, the measurement of costs and consequences, and patient subgroups.

CONCLUSION

The included CEAs using DAMs have limitations that hinder their ability to inform decision makers on the cost-effective choice: lack of updated reasoning behind the choice of key model assumptions, over-reliance on risk equations based on older treatment practices, and sponsorship bias. The question of which NIAD is cost effective for the treatment of which T2DM patient is a pressing one and the answer remains unclear.

Cost-Effectiveness of SGLT2 Inhibitors in a Real-World Population: A MICADO Model-Based Analysis Using Routine Data from a GP Registry

OBJECTIVE

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications, which largely drive diabetes' health and economic burdens. Trial results indicated that SGLT2i are cost effective. However, these findings may not be generalizable to the real-world target population. This study aims to evaluate the cost effectiveness of SGLT2i in a routine care type 2 diabetes population that meets Dutch reimbursement criteria using the MICADO model.

METHODS

Individuals from the Hoorn Diabetes Care System cohort (N = 15,392) were filtered to satisfy trial inclusion criteria (including EMPA-REG, CANVAS, and DECLARE-TIMI58) or satisfy the current Dutch reimbursement criteria for SGLT2i. We validated a health economic model (MICADO) by comparing simulated and observed outcomes regarding the relative risks of events in the intervention and comparator arm from three trials, and used the validated model to evaluate the long-term health outcomes using the filtered cohorts' baseline characteristics and treatment effects from trials and a review of observational studies. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of SGLT2i, compared with care-as-usual, was assessed from a third-party payer perspective, measured in euros (2021 price level), using a discount rate of 4% for costs and 1.5% for effects.

RESULTS

From Dutch individuals with diabetes in routine care, 15.8% qualify for the current Dutch reimbursement criteria for SGLT2i. Their characteristics were significantly different (lower HbA1c, higher age, and generally more preexisting complications) than trial populations. After validating the MICADO model, we found that lifetime ICERs of SGLT2i, when compared with usual care, were favorable (< €20,000/QALY) for all filtered cohorts, resulting in an ICER of €5440/QALY using trial-based treatment effect estimates in reimbursed population. Several pragmatic scenarios were tested, the ICERs remained favorable.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the Dutch reimbursement indications led to a target group that deviates from trial populations, SGLT2i are likely to be cost effective when compared with usual care.

Defining the Role of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Primary Care: Time to Think Differently

Disease burden in people with diabetes is mainly driven by long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. This is a consequence of the interconnection between the cardiovascular, renal and metabolic systems, through a continuous chain of events referred to as 'the cardiorenal metabolic continuum'. Increasing evidence suggests that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have beneficial effects across all stages of the cardiorenal metabolic continuum, reducing morbidity and mortality in a wide range of individuals, from those with diabetes and multiple risk factors to those with established heart failure and chronic kidney disease, regardless of the presence of diabetes. Despite this robust evidence base, the complexity of label indications and misconceptions concerning potential side effects have resulted in a lack of clear understanding in primary care regarding the implementation of SGLT2is in clinical practice. With this in mind, we provide an overview of the clinical and economic benefits of SGLT2is across the cardiorenal metabolic continuum together with practical considerations in order to help address some of these concerns and clearly define the role of SGLT2is in primary care as a holistic outcomes-driven treatment with the potential to reduce disease burden across the cardiorenal metabolic spectrum.

Cardio-renal outcomes and the direct medical cost of type 2 diabetes patients treated with sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: A population-based cohort study

AIMS

To compare cardio-renal outcomes and incurred direct medical costs of patients initiating sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) versus glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA).

METHODS

A population-based cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes was identified from Hong Kong Hospital Authority. Patients who were free from cardiovascular and end-stage renal diseases at baseline, and newly treated with SGLT2i (n = 2,541) or GLP-1RA (n = 303), were included. Risks of developing cardio-renal complications, incurred direct medical costs, and changes in clinical parameters were assessed between groups.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 12.5 months in SGLT2i group and 25.5 months in GLP-1RA group, SGLT2i users were associated with significantly lower risk of heart failure compared with those on GLP-1RA [hazard ratio = 0.183, 95 %CI = (0.045, 0.745)]. 1-year change in clinical parameters also favored use of SGLT2i over GLP-1RA, where the former was associated with a larger reduction in fasting glucose level [difference-in-difference = -0.87 mmol/L, 95 %CI = (-1.42, -0.33), p = 0.002]. The two groups had comparable direct medical costs after 1-year of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Patients initiating SGLT2i experienced a significantly lower risk of heart failure than those on GLP-1RA, alongside better glycemic control through a larger reduction in fasting glucose level over one-year follow-up, while direct medical cost incurred was comparable to that of GLP-1RA.

The Influence of Tofogliflozin on Treatment-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

INTRODUCTION

Treatment-related quality of life (QOL) is an important aspect of diabetes management. We evaluated the influence of a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, tofogliflozin, on treatment-related QOL in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

This is the prespecified subanalysis study of the "Using TOfogliflozin for Possible better Intervention against Atherosclerosis for type 2 diabetes patients (UTOPIA)" trial. Treatment-related QOL was evaluated at baseline, week 26, week 52, and week 104 after the initiation of the study using the Diabetes Therapy-Related QOL questionnaire (DTR-QOL). Among the 340 patients in the original UTOPIA study, a total of 252 patients (127, tofogliflozin group; 125, conventional treatment group) who completed the DTR-QOL questionnaire at baseline were the study subjects of the current subanalysis.

RESULTS

The tofogliflozin and conventional treatment groups exhibited almost comparable baseline clinical characteristics, while the use of antihypertensive drugs and lipid-lowering agents was significantly lower in the tofogliflozin treatment group than in the conventional treatment group. Tofogliflozin treatment increased the total score of DTR-QOL7 from baseline (P < 0.001), while conventional treatment did not change it. There were statistically significant differences in delta change in the total DTR-QOL7 score and DTR-QOL7 Q4, Q5, Q6, and Q7 scores from the baseline to week 104 between the treatment groups. Delta changes in HbA1c (Spearman's correlation coefficient, ρ =  - 0.30, P < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (ρ =  - 0.16, P = 0.031), BMI (ρ =  - 0.19, P = 0.008), and waist circumference (ρ =  - 0.17, P = 0.024) at week 104 were negatively associated with delta change in the total QOL7 score.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicated that tofogliflozin treatment improved treatment-related QOL compared to conventional treatment in Japanese patients with T2DM, in accordance with the improvement of major cardiovascular risk factors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN000017607.

Usefulness of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors for Primary Prevention of Heart Failure in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dapagliflozin reduce the risk of heart failure (HF) events in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) at high risk for HF. Differences in HF outcomes between SGLT2i were demonstrated in a recent-published meta-analysis. Nevertheless, comparative cost-effectiveness analyses of SGLT2i provided for this indication have not been published yet. Therefore, we aimed to provide a preceding economic comparison of the costs required for improving HF outcomes by these three SGLT2i. The primary outcome was the cost needed to treat (CNT) to prevent one event of hospitalization for HF or cardiovascular mortality. CNT is calculated by multiplying the annualized number needed to treat to prevent one event by the annual cost of therapy. Clinical outcome data were extracted from pre-specified cohorts of HF-naïve patients in the pivotal randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Costs of interventions were estimated as 75% of the US National Average Drug Acquisition Cost listing. Sensitivity analysis was performed to mitigate differences between the RCT's populations. We figured the CNT for the primary prevention of HF events in DM patients to be $542,328 ($409,044-$905,412) for empagliflozin, $2,347,488 ($1,066,208-∞) for canagliflozin and $2,128,374 ($1,204,740-$48,140,518) for dapagliflozin. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the cost benefit of empagliflozin. Our findings suggest that between the available SGLT2i, the cost of primary prevention of HF in patients with DM at high risk for HF is lowest with empagliflozin. These findings may help choose an SGLT2i until head-to-head RCTs, and comprehensive cost-effective analyses for this indication are available.

Safety and Efficacy of SGLT2 Inhibitors: A Multiple-Treatment Meta-Analysis of Clinical Decision Indicators

To jointly assess the safety and effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on cardiorenal outcomes and all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with or at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis, systematically searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science databases up to September 2020. Primary outcomes were composite major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), hospitalization for heart failure, all-cause mortality and a composite renal outcome. We performed a random effects network meta-analysis estimating the pooled hazard ratio (HR), risk ratio and number needed to treat (NNT). Six trials evaluating empagliflozin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and ertugliflozin met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, which comprised 46,969 patients, mostly with established CVD. Pooled estimates (95% CI) of benefits of SGLT2i in terms of HR and NNT were as follows: for all-cause mortality, 0.85 (0.75, 0.97) and 58 (28, 368); for MACE, 0.91 (0.85, 0.97) and 81 (44, 271); for hospitalization for heart failure, 0.70 (0.62, 0.78) and 32 (20, 55); and for composite renal outcome, 0.61 (0.50, 0.74) and 20 (11, 44). Pooled estimates for serious adverse events were 0.92 (95% CI 0.89, 0.95). In patients with T2DM at cardiovascular risk, ertugliflozin is a less potent drug than empagliflozin, canagliflozin or dapagliflozin to prevent cardiorenal events and all-cause mortality. In addition, our data endorse that empagliflozin is the best treatment option among SGLT2i for this type of patient, but the evidence is not consistent enough.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Empagliflozin Versus Liraglutide Treatment in People with Type 2 Diabetes and Established Cardiovascular Disease

INTRODUCTION

The increasing financial burden associated with diabetes treatment presents a challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Recently, clinical guidelines have focussed on patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD) and recommend a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor or a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist as second-line treatment after metformin or independently of baseline glycated haemogloblin A1c (HbA1c). In Danish clinical guidelines, empagliflozin and liraglutide are highlighted owing to their positive impact on mortality. Thus, this study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of empagliflozin plus standard of care (SoC) versus liraglutide plus SoC in Danish patients with T2D and established CVD using a lifetime and 5-year horizon.

METHODS

The IQVIA Core Diabetes Model (CDM) was calibrated to reproduce the clinical event rates observed in the cardiovascular outcome trial EMPA-REG OUTCOME. Network meta-analysis provided the relative risks for cardiovascular outcomes with empagliflozin versus liraglutide. Microvascular outcomes were predicted by standard CDM risk equations. The relative treatment effect was assumed for 9 years after which treatment was switched to basal-bolus therapy. The CDM was populated with Danish costs of events and drug costs at price-level 2019. Discounting of 4% was applied.

RESULTS

Over a lifetime horizon, CDM projected 9.858 and 9.667 life years, 6.162 and 5.976 quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and DKK 478,026 (€64,079) and DKK 500,025 (€67,027) in total costs for empagliflozin plus SoC and liraglutide plus SoC, respectively. For a 5-year horizon, the results were 4.189 and 4.140 life years, 2.746 and 2.655 QALY, as well as DKK 123,413 (€16,543) and DKK 161,783 (€21,687), respectively. Empagliflozin was the dominant treatment alternative. Sensitivity analyses showed the robustness of these results.

CONCLUSION

The cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that empagliflozin plus SoC is dominant compared to liraglutide plus SoC in Denmark over both lifetime and 5-year horizons.

The cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin in treating high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An economic evaluation using data from the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial

AIM

To undertake a cost-effectiveness analysis of dapagliflozin in treating high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), using both directly observed events in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial and surrogate risk factors to predict endpoints not captured within the trial.

METHODS

An established T2DM model was adapted to integrate survival curves derived from the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial, and extrapolated over a lifetime for all-cause mortality, hospitalization for heart failure, stroke, myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, and end-stage kidney disease. The economic analysis considered the overall DECLARE trial population, as well as reported patient subgroups. Total and incremental costs, life-years and quality-adjusted life-years associated with dapagliflozin versus placebo were estimated from the perspective of the UK healthcare payer.

RESULTS

In the UK setting, treatment with dapagliflozin compared to placebo was estimated to be dominant, with an expected increase in quality-adjusted life-years from 10.43 to 10.48 (+0.06) and a reduction in lifetime total costs from £39 451 to £36 899 (-£2552). Across all patient subgroups, dapagliflozin was estimated to be dominant, with the greatest absolute benefit in the prior heart failure subgroup (incremental lifetime costs -£4150 and quality-adjusted life-years +0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrate that dapagliflozin compared to placebo appears to be cost-effective, when considering evidence reported from the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial, at established UK willingness-to-pay thresholds. The findings highlight the potential of dapagliflozin to have a meaningful impact in reducing the economic burden of T2DM and its associated complications across a broad T2DM population.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of empagliflozin compared with glimepiride in patients with Type 2 diabetes in China

Aim: The study assesses the cost-effectiveness of empagliflozin versus glimepiride in patients with Type 2 diabetes and uncontrolled by metformin alone in China, based on the EMPA-REG H2H-SU trial. Materials & methods: A calibrated version of the IQVIA Core Diabetes Model was used. Cost of complications and utility were taken from literature. The Chinese healthcare system perspective and 5% discounting rates were applied. Results: Empagliflozin+metformin provides additional quality-adjusted life-years (0.317) driven by a reduction in the number of cardiovascular and renal events, for an additional cost of $1382 (CNY9703) compared with glimepiride+metformin. Conclusion: Empagliflozin is cost-effective treatment versus glimepiride applying a threshold of $30,290 (CNY212,676).

Assessing the cost-effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A comprehensive economic evaluation using clinical trial and real-world evidence

AIMS

The economic burden of diabetes is driven by the management of vascular complications. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have demonstrated reductions in cardiovascular and renal complications, including hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) and renal disease progression, in randomized clinical trials. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the SGLT2i class versus standard of care in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), using evidence from both clinical trial and real-world studies.

METHODS

An established T2DM model was adapted to use contemporary outcomes evidence from real-world studies and randomized controlled trial evaluations of SGLT2i, and extrapolated over a lifetime for HHF, myocardial infarction, stroke, end-stage renal disease and all-cause mortality. The economic analysis considered adults with T2DM, with and without established cardiovascular disease, and was conducted over a lifetime from the perspective of the health care payer in the United Kingdom, United States and China, discounted at country-specific rates.

RESULTS

SGLT2i were consistently associated with increased treatment costs, reduced complication costs and gains in quality-adjusted life years driven by differences in projected life expectancy, cardiovascular and microvascular morbidity and weight loss. SGLT2i were estimated to be cost-saving or cost-effective at relevant thresholds for the overall population in the United Kingdom, United States and China, with cost-effectiveness being the greatest in higher risk subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the need to take into account cost savings from reducing common, morbid and preventable T2DM complications when considering the cost of diabetes medications.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and tolerability of single and multiple doses of janagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

To evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics, and tolerability of janagliflozin, a novel sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 36 people with T2DM were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive janagliflozin 25 mg, janagliflozin 50 mg, dapagliflozin 10 mg or placebo. Participants received a single dose on day 1, and were treated once daily from day 4 to day 17.

RESULTS

Following oral administration, janagliflozin was rapidly absorbed, reaching C_max at 2 hours. The mean half-life (t_1/2 ) at steady state was approximately 21 to 23 hours. There was no significant accumulation with multiple doses (accumulation factor < 2). In participants treated with janagliflozin 25 mg, janagliflozin 50 mg, dapagliflozin 10 mg or placebo, change in mean 24-hour urinary glucose excretion from baseline was 92.35, 94.17, 87.61 and 6.26 g after multiple doses, and change in mean fasting plasma glucose level from baseline to day 17 was -2.18, -2.66, -2.79 and 1.70%, respectively. Most adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate with no deaths, serious AEs, or discontinuations due to AEs.

CONCLUSIONS

Single and multiple oral administration (14 days) of janagliflozin 25 mg and 50 mg exhibited favourable PK, PD and tolerability profiles in Chinese people with T2DM, which were comparable to those of dapagliflozin 10 mg. Janagliflozin 25 mg and 50 mg are recommended for further clinical investigation.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors for Prevention of Heart Failure Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cost Per Outcome Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have significant efficacy in reducing the risk of hospitalization for heart failure (hHF) or cardiovascular (CV) mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there are differences in HF outcomes between the SGLT2i. Therefore, we compared the cost needed to achieve these outcomes between empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dapagliflozin.

METHODS

We calculated the cost needed to treat (CNT) in order to prevent one event of hHF or CV mortality, by multiplying the annualized number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one event, by the annual cost of each therapy. Efficacy estimates were extracted from published randomized controlled trial (RCT) data. A sensitivity analysis was performed to mitigate differences between the RCT populations. Drug costs were extracted from the 2020 US National Average Drug Acquisition Cost listing.

RESULTS

We figured empagliflozin's CNT to be $664,464 (95% CI $499,872-$1,097,280), $1,535,387 (95% CI $886,074-$3,210,501) for canagliflozin, and $2,693,145 (95% CI $1,639,563-$11,092,206) for dapagliflozin. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the cost advantage of empagliflozin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that empagliflozin prescribed for preventing CV death or hHF in T2DM patients seems to be cost saving compared to treatment with canagliflozin, and dapagliflozin.

A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter Inhibitors for Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are the most recently approved class of drugs (since 2012) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but their economic merits have yet been fully confirmed. The objective of this review was to evaluate the most updated evidence that examined the cost-effectiveness of SGLT2i for T2DM.

RECENT FINDINGS

We systematically searched Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, and Web of Science for eligible articles from January 1, 2011, to October 31, 2019, using combinations of search words. A supplementary search using reference lists of eligible articles and other review articles was also performed. A multistage screening process was carried out with duplicates removal, abstract screening, and full-text reading to confirm eligibility. Two reviewers independently screened the eligible articles and assessed reporting quality using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. A total of 24 studies were included in the final review. All studies showed good quality according to the CHEERS checklist (scored 21-24). Seven studies compared SGLT2i vs. dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), 3 studies compared SGLT2i vs. sulfonylureas (SU), 3 compared SGLT2i vs. glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), 2 compared SGLT2i vs. SGLT2i, 3 compared SGLT2i vs. other antidiabetic therapies including thiazolidinediones (TZD), alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGI) or insulin, and 5 compared SGLT2i vs. standard care/metformin. Most studies concluded SGLT2i was cost-effective relative to its comparator except GLP-1 RA, where two studies suggested GLP-1 RA was the favorable treatment option relative to SGLT2i. The literature demonstrated that SGLT2i may be cost-effective compared to many antidiabetic therapies including DPP-4i, SU, TZD, AGI, insulin, and standard care .

Empagliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with High Cardiovascular Risk: A Model-Based Cost-Utility Analysis in China

PURPOSE

To evaluate the cost-utility of empagliflozin, in addition to best available standard care (BASC), for the treatment of adult patients with T2DM at high cardiovascular risk from the Chinese healthcare system perspective.

METHODS

A Microsoft Excel-based patient-level simulation model, based on the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial data, was adapted and used to project individual's clinical and economic outcomes over a lifetime horizon. The cost and utility values were derived from databases and published studies. Numbers and rates of diabetes-related events, life-years (LYs), quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), costs (¥ 2019) as well as incremental cost-utility ratios (ICURs) were calculated. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the model results.

RESULTS

Compared with BASC, empagliflozin plus BASC was predicted to result in an additional 1.01 QALYs (8.05 QALYs vs 7.04 QALYs) at an incremental cost of ¥4002 per patient. The modeled ICUR was ¥3988 per QALY gained, which was considered highly cost-effective in China compared to both one and three times the GDP per capita in 2019 (¥70,892 and ¥212,676). The deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of base-case results.

CONCLUSION

This is the first cost-utility analysis regarding the use of empagliflozin in patients with T2DM in China, the world's most affected country by the T2DM pandemic. The economic evaluation suggests that empagliflozin added to BASC was estimated to be a highly value-for-money option for the treatment of adult patients with T2DM at high cardiovascular risk in the Chinese healthcare setting.

What Next After Metformin? Thinking Beyond Glycaemia: Are SGLT2 Inhibitors the Answer?

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase, along with a proliferation of glucose-lowering treatment options. There is universal agreement in the clinical community for the use of metformin as the first-line glucose-lowering therapy for the majority of patients. However, controversy exists regarding the choice of second-line therapy once metformin is no longer effective. The most recent treatment consensus focuses on the presence of cardiovascular disease, heart failure or kidney disease as a determinant of therapy choice. The majority of patients in routine practice, however, do not fall into such categories. Heart failure and kidney disease represent significant clinical and cost considerations in patients with type 2 diabetes and have a close pathophysiological association. Recent data has illustrated that sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor therapy can reduce the burden of heart failure and the progression of renal disease across a wide range of patients including those with and without established disease, supported by an increased understanding of the mechanistic effects of these agents. Furthermore, there is growing evidence to illustrate the overall safety profile of this class of agents and support the benefit-risk profile of SGLT2 inhibitors as a preferred option following metformin monotherapy failure, with respect to both kidney disease progression and heart failure outcomes.

Cost-Effectiveness of Canagliflozin Versus Dapagliflozin Added to Metformin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in China

PURPOSE

Agents that inhibit sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), including canagliflozin and dapagliflozin, become available for the treatment of Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study assessed the economic outcomes of canagliflozin 100 mg versus dapagliflozin 10 mg in patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with metformin in the Chinese context.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Economic outcomes were projected by using the validated Chinese Outcomes Model for T2DM (COMT). Efficacy and safety, medical expenditure, and utility data were derived from the literature, which were assigned to model variables for estimating the quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and costs as well as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). The analysis was conducted from the perspective of Chinese healthcare service providers. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. Health outcomes and costs were discounted at 5%.

RESULTS

Relative to dapagliflozin 10 mg, treatment with canagliflozin 100 mg was associated with additional 0.015 expected life years per patients treated and 0.013 QALYs gained, which was driven by the reduced risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications over lifetime horizon. The incremental cost of canagliflozin 100 mg versus dapagliflozin 10 mg was US $-129, which indicated the canagliflozin 100 mg strategy was a dominant option. The univariate sensitivity analyses indicated that the results were sensitive to several model inputs.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that canagliflozin was a cost-saving treatment option compared with dapagliflozin from the perspective of Chinese health care services providers for Chinese patients with T2DM who are inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy.