Direct costs and health-related resource utilisation in the 6 months after insulin initiation in German patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in 2006: INSTIGATE study

Does Lifestyle Intervention Improve Health of Adults with Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes? Findings from the Look AHEAD Randomized Trial

This paper reviews the main findings from the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) Trial, a randomized trial testing the long-term health effects of intensive lifestyle interventions (ILIs) in 5,145 persons with overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes. Although the primary outcome originally focused on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, secondary outcomes included a broad range of health parameters related to diabetes and obesity. As the cohort aged, study outcomes were expanded to include health problems affecting geriatric populations, such as cognitive impairment and disability.This review summarizes the history of this trial and presents findings related to a wide range of health outcomes. Studies are reviewed that showed positive impact of ILI on diabetes control and complications, depression, physical health-related quality of life, sleep apnea, incontinence, brain structure, and health care use and costs. Several composite indices were also positively impacted by ILI, including multimorbidity, geriatric syndromes, and disability-free life years. However, there are also some important outcomes that did not show significant differences between the intervention and control, including cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, cancer, cognitive function, and cognitive impairment; for several of these nonsignificant effects, post hoc analyses suggested that there may be differences among subgroups, raising the possibility that ILI may be beneficial to some but potentially harmful to others. The only adverse effects of ILI relative to diabetes support and education were on frailty fractures and the related negative effects on body composition and bone density. Through this review, the manuscript seeks to determine whether weight loss should be encouraged in this population; given the large number of beneficial effects, relative to the small number of adverse effects, the answer appears to be yes.

Increased cost of illness among European patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between outcomes and different escalating combinations of non-insulin medications vs. insulin.

METHODS

Data were taken from the 2013 5EU NHWS, a cross-sectional survey including 62,000 respondents across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Costs were estimated from self-reported work impairment and healthcare visits using average wages and unit costs. Respondents taking antihyperglycemic medications (n = 2894) were compared according to treatment type using unadjusted comparisons followed by regression to adjust for confounders.

RESULTS

Insulin users had the highest costs and worse outcomes, a pattern that remained after adjustment for a range of sociodemographic and disease characteristics. Incremental direct costs were approximately €800. Incremental indirect costs, applicable only to the employed, were larger than incremental direct costs, but were statistically significant only relative to non-insulin monotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Escalation using oral agents rather than insulin is associated with better quality of life and lower costs, though these relationships may not be causal. Further research is warranted on escalation using oral agents among patients for whom insulin is not required.

The costs and consequences of obesity in Germany: a new approach from a prevalence and life-cycle perspective

With the steadily growing health burden of obesity in Germany, the measuring and quantification of its costs and relevant economic consequences have become increasingly important. The usual quantifications via previous cost-of-illness approaches mostly have several weaknesses, e.g., applying "indirect methods" by using "population-attributable fractions" to identify parts of costs that can be accrued to obesity, second using highly aggregated data and third often only displaying part of the costs. This article presents a new approach and a new estimation of the cost and consequences of obesity in Germany using claims data from a German health insurance company. A sample of 146,000 individuals was analyzed with both a prevalence and a life-cycle focus on the cost and consequences of obesity. With additional data sets, we calculate the deaths per year due to obesity, the excess costs per year and several intangible consequences usually referred to as "pain and suffering". Our results show that the cost estimations of obesity in Germany so far have been largely underestimated. The annual direct costs of obesity in Germany amount to approximately €29.39 billion and the indirect costs to an additional €33.65 billion. A total of 102,000 subjects die prematurely each year because of obesity, and there is a significant excess of unemployment, long-term nursing care, and pain and suffering due to obesity. From a lifetime perspective, every obese man is equal to an additional burden of €166,911 and each woman of €206,526 for the social security system in Germany. Obesity due to unhealthy eating is thus about to replace tobacco consumption in terms of costs and consequences as the main hazardous lifestyle factor and thus should be more intensively focussed by public health policy.

Übergewicht und Adipositas als Public Health-Problem

In Deutschland ist mehr als die Hälfte der Erwachsenen übergewichtig, fast ein Viertel ist adipös. Als Risikofaktor für viele Erkrankungen geht Übergewicht mit einer hohen individuellen Krankheitslast und, infolge dessen, erhöhten Versorgungskosten und Produktivitätsverlusten einher. Aufgrund der hohen Krankheitslast und weiten Verbreitung gehört Übergewicht zu den relevantesten Risikofaktoren in Deutschland. Der Beitrag konzentriert sich auf die gesundheitsökonomischen Folgen des Übergewichtes.

Medication usage, treatment intensification, and medical cost in patients with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective database study

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to describe medication usage patterns in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) initiating treatment with non-insulin antidiabetic drugs (NIADs), basal insulin, or prandial/mixed insulin using real-world data.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis using the Truven Health MarketScan Research Databases was conducted to identify adults (≥18 years) with T2DM from 2006 to 2012. Patients were categorized into four cohorts based on diabetes treatment. Cohort 1 (n=597 664) consisted of newly diagnosed patients who did not receive any treatment, cohort 2 (n=342 511) included NIAD initiators, cohort 3 (n=99 578) included basal insulin initiators, and cohort 4 (n=62 876) included prandial/mixed insulin initiators. Patients transitioned out of a cohort once they met the criteria for the next one.

RESULTS

Patients in cohort 2 were younger (56.2 years, SD±12.1) than patients in cohorts 1, 3, and 4 (58 years, SD±0.75). Metformin was the most commonly prescribed drug in cohort 2 patients. Basal insulin usage decreased from 71% in year 1 to 47% in year 4, in cohort 3 patients. Approximately one-third of these patients switched to prandial/mixed insulin each year. In cohort 4, the usage of prandial/mixed insulin decreased to 61% by year 4. Use of basal insulin and NIAD remained common in this group. Mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values decreased by ∼1% for each of the treatment cohorts following treatment initiation and remained stable during follow-up. All-cause and diabetes-related medical costs were highest for patients in cohorts 3 and 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our findings demonstrate that treatment intensification was low in all study cohorts despite elevated HbA1c levels during preindex and follow-up period.

National Variations in Comorbidities, Glycosylated Hemoglobin Reduction, and Insulin Dosage in Asian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: The FINE-Asia Registry

INTRODUCTION

The First Basal Insulin Evaluation (FINE) Asia study was a prospective, observational registry evaluating basal insulin initiation in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled by oral antihyperglycemic agents.

METHODS

The objective of this post hoc analysis was to observe and report the findings from individual participating countries. The primary endpoint was change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to month 6 after basal insulin initiation. Secondary endpoints included change in fasting blood glucose (FBG), percent of patients achieving target HbA1c and FBG levels, average insulin doses, and hypoglycemic events.

RESULTS

The study included 2921 patients from 11 Asian countries at baseline, 2679 (92%) of whom had evaluable data. Following initiation of basal insulin (neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin, glargine, or detemir), there was a significant (P < 0.001) difference in HbA1c reduction and proportions of patients meeting HbA1c and FBG targets (<7% and <110 mg/dL, respectively) across all country cohorts by month 6. Glycemic control also varied greatly, with 7.4% (Taiwan) to 71.5% (China) of patients reaching target HbA1c <7% levels. Mean (±standard deviation) insulin dose increases over the 6-month period ranged from 0.5 ± 3.1 U (Pakistan) to 6.0 ± 8.6 U (Thailand). Hypoglycemia rates also varied, with 7.1% (India) to 27.3% (China) of patients experiencing one or more events.

CONCLUSIONS

Data from the FINE-Asia registry study show widely varying degrees of baseline comorbidities and glycemic control in patients among the country cohorts observed. Countries with >9 years of diabetes prior to insulin initiation had the lowest reductions in HbA1c and proportions of patients achieving HbA1c and FBG targets, suggesting that earlier basal insulin initiation may afford better glycemic control in these patients.

FUNDING

This study was funded by Sanofi.

Health economic evaluation of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a clinical practice focused review

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a growing healthcare burden primarily due to long-term complications. Strict glycemic control helps in preventing complications, and early introduction of insulin may be more cost-effective than maintaining patients on multiple oral agents. This is an expert opinion review based on English peer-reviewed articles (2000–2012) to discuss the health economic consequences of T2D treatment intensification. T2D costs are driven by inpatient care for treatment of diabetes complications (40%–60% of total cost), with drug therapy for glycemic control representing 18% of the total cost. Insulin therapy provides the most improved glycemic control and reduction of complications, although hypoglycemia and weight gain may occur. Early treatment intensification with insulin analogs in patients with poor glycemic control appears to be cost-effective and improves clinical outcomes.

Impact of an intensive lifestyle intervention on use and cost of medical services among overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes: the action for health in diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relative impact of an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) on use and costs of health care within the Look AHEAD trial.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 5,121 overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to an ILI that promoted weight loss or to a comparison condition of diabetes support and education (DSE). Use and costs of health-care services were recorded across an average of 10 years.

RESULTS

ILI led to reductions in annual hospitalizations (11%, P = 0.004), hospital days (15%, P = 0.01), and number of medications (6%, P < 0.001), resulting in cost savings for hospitalization (10%, P = 0.04) and medication (7%, P < 0.001). ILI produced a mean relative per-person 10-year cost savings of $5,280 (95% CI 3,385-7,175); however, these were not evident among individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with DSE over 10 years, ILI participants had fewer hospitalizations, fewer medications, and lower health-care costs.

Flexible insulin dosing improves health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL): a time trade-off survey

PURPOSE

People with insulin-treated diabetes often face strict regimens with inflexible dose timing, frequent injections, and frequent self-measured blood glucose (SMBG) testing. The objective of this study was to estimate the health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) impact of these aspects using time trade-off (TTO) methods.

METHODS

HRQoL was examined via a TTO survey in the UK, Canada, and Sweden with separate analyses of 2465 respondents from the general population, 274 people with type 1 diabetes, and 417 people with type 2 diabetes. Respondents evaluated health states with diabetes, SMBG testing, and basal injections that were once-daily time flexible, once-daily at a fixed time, and twice-daily at a fixed time in a basal or basal-bolus regimen.

RESULTS

Time-flexible basal injections were associated with 0.016 and 0.013 higher utility vs a fixed time of injection for basal-only and basal-bolus regimens, respectively, as evaluated by the general population. The diabetes respondents confirmed the basal-only results with 0.015 higher utility, but the difference in utility was non-significant for basal-bolus. Once-daily injections had higher utility compared with twice-daily injections for basal (0.039 and 0.042) and basal-bolus (0.022 and 0.021) regimens, as evaluated by the general population and people with diabetes, respectively. Increased frequency of SMBG negatively affected health utility.

LIMITATIONS

This study has the limitation that it measures hypothetical health states rather than the HRQoL of people with these health states; furthermore, it could be suggested that the web-based nature of this survey is biased towards literate respondents with internet access and IT competence.

CONCLUSIONS

Flexible dosing and fewer injections have a positive HRQoL impact, which potentially may enhance therapy adherence and could contribute to improved long-term outcomes. The impact of flexibility is greater in people treated with basal-only insulin regimens, and diminishes if bolus injections are part of the treatment regimen.

Clinical outcomes and costs for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus initiating insulin therapy in Greece: two-year experience from the INSTIGATE study

AIMS

To evaluate the quality of metabolic control, clinical outcomes, resource costs, and quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), who initiated insulin for the first time as part of routine clinical practice.

METHODS

The INSTIGATE study is a prospective, multicentric, observational study of patients initiating insulin treatment. This sub-cohort analysis focuses on Hellenic outcomes.

RESULTS

At baseline, 263 Greek patients were enrolled just before initiating insulin for the first time. At the 6-month visit, 237 patients (90.1%) remained and consented to an additional 18-month observation period. In these 237 extension patients, over the 24-month post-initiation period, HbA1c (mean(SD)) decreased from 9.7%(1.6%) to 7.1%(0.9%) and body weight and BMI increased (+3(6)kg and +1.1(2.2)kg/m(2), respectively). At each post-baseline visit approximately one in five patients reported ≥1 episodes of hypoglycaemia in the preceding 3-6 months. Median total costs fluctuated from 438€ at baseline to 538€ up to 6 months and 451€ at 24 months; mean costs were 496(383)€, 573(276)€ and 485(247)€, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, insulin treatment seems to be effective with little long-term impact on cost. Findings should be interpreted in the context of an observational study.

Annual Medical Costs of Swedish Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Before and After Insulin Initiation

INTRODUCTION

Although insulin is one of the most effective interventions for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, its disadvantages incur substantial medical cost. This study was designed to evaluate the medical costs of Swedish type 2 diabetic patients initiating insulin on top of metformin and/or sulfonylurea (SU), and to evaluate if costs before and after insulin initiation differ for patients where insulin is initiated above or below the recommended glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (7.5%).

METHODS

This was a register-based retrospective cohort study in which patients were identified from the Sörmland county council diabetes register. Patients being prescribed at least one prescription of metformin and/or SU from 2003 to 2010, and later prescribed insulin, were included.

RESULTS

One hundred patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and had at least 1 year of follow-up. The mean age was 61 years and 59% of patients were male. Mean time since diagnosis was 4.1 years, and since initiation of insulin was 2.2 years. The mean HbA1c level at index date was 8.0%. Total mean costs for the whole cohort were SEK 17,230 [standard deviation (SD) 17,228] the year before insulin initiation, and SEK 31,656 (SD 24,331) the year after insulin initiation (p < 0.0001). When stratifying by HbA1c level, patients with HbA1c <7.5% had total healthcare costs of SEK 17,678 (SD 12,946) the year before the index date and SEK 35,747 (SD 30,411) the year after (p < 0.0001). Patients with HbA1c levels ≥7.5% had total healthcare costs of SEK 16,918 (SD 19,769) the year before the index date and SEK 28,813 (SD 18,779) the year after (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Despite the small sample size, this study demonstrates that mean annual medical costs almost double the year after patients are initiated on insulin. The costs increased the year after insulin initiation, regardless of the HbA1c level at initiation of insulin, and the largest increase in costs were due to increased filled prescriptions.

Evaluation of insulin initiation on resource utilization and direct costs of treatment over 12 months in patients with type 2 diabetes in Europe: results from INSTIGATE and TREAT observational studies

OBJECTIVES

To describe the changes in resource utilization in seven European countries (Germany, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Spain, and Turkey) and direct costs in four European countries (Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Greece) over the first 12 months of insulin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

INSTIGATE and TREAT (2005-2010) were non-interventional, prospective, observational studies in patients with T2DM and initiating insulin for the first time. A 6-month retrospective data capture was conducted at baseline (insulin initiation) followed by prospective data collections at ∼3, 6, and 12 months. Statistical analyses were descriptive; estimated costs are presented as nominal values.

RESULTS

This study presents data for 1450 patients. Overall, in the first 6 months after insulin initiation, the use and cost of blood glucose monitoring and insulin increased, while the cost of oral diabetic medication decreased. Contributors to total direct costs differed between countries. Ranges of total mean direct costs over the 6-month period before insulin initiation were €489.10-€658.50 (Greece-Spain); 0-6 months after insulin initiation, €573.40-€1084.70 (Greece-Spain); and 6-12 months after insulin initiation, €495.80-€859.30 (Greece-Germany). Thus, the mean cost of treatment increased in all countries in the first 6 months after insulin initiation and then returned to baseline except in Germany.

LIMITATIONS

Overall, 15% of patients were lost to follow-up over 12 months. Costs were not pro-rated to account for variation of visits. Participating centres may not have been fully representative of all levels of care.

CONCLUSIONS

Contributors to total cost differed between countries, potentially reflecting local clinical practice patterns and insulin regimens. In each country, mean direct total costs of T2DM care increased during the first 6 months after insulin initiation and decreased thereafter.

Insulin degludec once-daily in type 2 diabetes: simple or step-wise titration (BEGIN: once simple use)

INTRODUCTION

Insulin degludec (IDeg) is a new basal insulin in development with a flat, ultra-long action profile that may permit dosing using a simplified titration algorithm with less frequent self-measured blood glucose (SMBG) measurements and more simplified titration steps than currently available basal insulins.

METHODS

This 26-week, multi-center, open-label, randomized, treat-to-target study compared the efficacy and safety of IDeg administered once-daily in combination with metformin in insulin-naïve subjects with type 2 diabetes using two different patient-driven titration algorithms: a "Simple" algorithm, with dose adjustments based on one pre-breakfast SMBG measurement (n = 111) versus a "Step-wise" algorithm, with adjustments based on three consecutive pre-breakfast SMBG values (n = 111). IDeg was administered using the FlexTouch® insulin pen (Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark), with once-weekly dose titration in both groups.

RESULTS

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased from baseline to week 26 in both groups (-1.09%, IDegSimple; -0.93%, IDegStep-wise). IDegSimple was non-inferior to IDegStep-wise in lowering HbA1c [estimated treatment difference (IDegSimple - IDegStep-wise): -0.16% points (-0.39; 0.07)95% CI]. Fasting plasma glucose was reduced (-3.27 mmol/L, IDegSimple; -2.68 mmol/L, IDegStep-wise) with no significant difference between groups. Rates of confirmed hypoglycemia [1.60, IDegSimple; 1.17, IDegStep-wise events/patient year of exposure (PYE)] and nocturnal confirmed hypoglycemia (0.21, IDegSimple; 0.10, IDegStep-wise events/PYE) were low, with no significant differences between groups. Daily insulin dose after 26 weeks was 0.61 U/kg (IDegSimple) and 0.50 U/kg (IDegStep-wise). No significant difference in weight change was seen between groups by week 26 (+1.6 kg, IDegSimple; +1.1 kg, IDegStep-wise), and there were no clinically relevant differences in adverse event profiles.

CONCLUSION

IDeg was effective and well tolerated using either the Simple or Step-wise titration algorithm. While selection of an algorithm must be based on individual patient characteristics and goals, the ability to attain good glycemic control using a simplified titration algorithm may enable patient empowerment through self-titration, improved convenience, and reduced costs.

Increase in direct diabetes-related costs and resource use in the 6 months following initiation of insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes in five European countries: data from the INSTIGATE study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to describe the resource use and associated direct costs of diabetes care for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the 6 months before and after initiation of insulin therapy.

METHODS

INSTIGATE is a prospective, noninterventional, multicenter study of patients with type 2 diabetes who were initiating insulin for the first time as part of their usual care in 2006. The study was conducted in France, Germany, Greece, Spain, and the UK, and observed the course of diabetes therapy for up to 6 months. Direct medical costs were evaluated from the national health care system (third-party payer) perspective at 2006 prices.

RESULTS

Of the 1153 patients with type 2 diabetes, 1051 (91.2%) had follow-up visits in the 6 months after insulin initiation and were included in the cost analysis. In all countries in our study, mean total direct costs per patient increased in the 6-month follow-up period, compared with the 6-month period prior to insulin initiation, and ranged from €577 in Greece to €1402 in France. The incremental cost of adding insulin treatment ranged from €81 in France to €471 in Spain.

CONCLUSION

In all countries, the mean total direct cost of care for diabetes increased after starting insulin. The breakdown of total direct costs by expenditure category varied considerably across countries, reflecting differences in resource use patterns, prices of medical resources, and different health care systems.

A systematic review of patient-reported and economic outcomes: value to stakeholders in the decision-making process in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

The need for an approach to measuring health results that incorporates patients' and payers' perspectives has generated a wide range of health care outcomes (HCOs), but it is yet unknown whether these HCOs are appropriate or valid for the health care decision-making process.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to assess HCOs, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and economic outcomes in terms of validity and appropriateness to health care decision making in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

This systematic review of studies published between January 1, 1996, and November 1, 2010, comprised an electronic literature search of MEDLINE and Centre for Reviews and Dissemination databases. Studies included were clinical trials, observational studies, economic analyses, and studies on the development and validation of HCOs in T2DM in the adult population. HCOs were assessed and classified according to their relevance for decision makers in terms of feasibility for routine use, validity, sensitivity, reliability, understanding, and scope.

RESULTS

Two independent reviewers screened 4497 citations. Of these, 281 potentially eligible full articles were retrieved, and 185 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 121 HCOs in T2DM were identified: 80 (66.1%) PROs and 41 (33.9%) economic outcomes. Only 44.6% of the outcomes assessed were appropriate and valid for health care decision making. Greater deficiencies in evidence were found for PROs (61.3%), followed by economic outcomes (43.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

A large number of HCOs are being used in the health care decision-making process, but a significant proportion of these new outcomes have not been properly validated. Despite the fact that appropriate measures will depend on the specific needs of the decision makers, researchers need to use HCOs for which evidence of quality and appropriateness is available.

Evaluation of exenatide vs. insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes: cost-effectiveness analysis in the German setting

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this analysis was to determine the cost-effectiveness of exenatide vs. insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes failing to achieve glycaemic control with oral antidiabetic agents, in the German setting, from a third-party payer perspective.

METHODS

Data from a published randomized controlled trial were used in combination with a published, validated computer simulation model of type 2 diabetes to project clinical and cost outcomes over a time horizon of 10 years. Cost data were obtained from published literature and expert opinion. Clinical and cost outcomes were discounted at 5% per annum. Sensitivity analyses were performed to establish key drivers and parameters.

RESULTS

Treatment with exenatide compared with insulin glargine was projected to be associated with improvements in life expectancy of 0.016 years and quality-adjusted life expectancy of 0.280 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), increased lifetime direct medical costs of euro 3854 (euro 22 095 vs. euro 18 242) and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of euro 13 746 per QALY. If quality of life was not taken into account, exenatide was associated with an ICER of euro 238 201 per life year gained vs. insulin glargine. Sensitivity analyses revealed that outcomes were most sensitive to changes in assumptions for (dis)utility values relating to weight change and the rate of self-monitored blood glucose testing.

CONCLUSIONS

Exenatide was projected to be associated with similar clinical outcomes and increased costs compared with insulin glargine. Analysis of cost-effectiveness from a third-party perspective suggests that exenatide is likely to represent good value for money in the German setting.

Characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus initiating insulin therapy: baseline data from the INSTIGATE study

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics at baseline of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are initiating insulin.

METHODS

Prospective, observational multi-centre, open-label study in five European countries of patients with type 2 diabetes who were initiating insulin as part of their usual care.

RESULTS

A total of 1172 patients were enrolled, with mean age 63.3 years and body mass index 29.9 kg/m(2). The majority (90%) of patients were taking one or more oral anti-diabetic agents; the percentage not taking anti-diabetic medication in the previous four weeks was highest in Germany (23.4%) and Spain (15.1%). The prevalence of microvascular diseases (range: 16.1%-36.1%) varied considerably between countries but for macrovascular (30.4%-38.6%) and other diabetes-related diagnoses (72.6%-76.6%) such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia the differences were less pronounced. In Germany, reported use of lipid-lowering (26.7%) and anti-platelet (27.1%) therapies was much less than in other countries (ranges: 53.2%-78.1% and 48.3%-61.1%, respectively). The majority of evaluable patients in each country had demonstrated poor control over a long period of time. Prior to initiating insulin, the most recent mean (+/-SD) HbA1(c) was 9.58 +/- 1.81%, fasting plasma glucose was 12.18 +/- 4.32 mmol/L and 78.5% had metabolic syndrome. IDF targets for HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, and blood pressure were met in 76.8%, 33.1% and 18.9% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin treatment was only initiated after HbA1(c) values were considerably higher than recommended in treatment guidelines for a sustained period of time.

Resource utilisation and costs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin glargine or conventional basal insulin under real-world conditions in Germany: LIVE-SPP study

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare the total costs relevant to diabetes care in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) treated at specialised diabetes practices with either insulin glargine- or conventional basal insulin (neutral protamine Hagedorn [NPH])-based therapies from the German statutory health insurance (SHI) perspective.

METHODS

The Long Acting Insulin Glargine Versus NPH Cost Evaluation in Specialised Practices (LIVE-SPP) study is an observational, retrolective, multicentre longitudinal cost comparison in adults with T2D. Costs were evaluated from the German SHI perspective based on official 2005 prices. Average total costs per patient for insulin glargine-versus NPH-based therapies were compared using multivariate general linear modelling. Sensitivity analyses were performed by varying the main cost factors by +/- 25%.

RESULTS

Patients (n=1,024, 512 patients per cohort) were on average 62 years of age, with an average 8-year diabetes history at study start. The average unadjusted total annual costs per patient were euro 1,868.41 (95% CI 1,744.27-1,992.56) for insulin glargine-based vs. euro 2,063.72 (95% CI 1,922.91-2,204.54) for NPH-based therapies. Average adjusted total annual costs per patient between insulin glargine- (euro 1,241.13) and NPH-based therapies (euro 1,607.86) were statistically significantly different (p=0.0004). The economic advantage for insulin glargine-based therapies resulted mainly from fewer blood glucose measurements and other diabetes-related materials (e.g. needles). The savings remained stable in one-way sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The LIVE-SPP study suggests that insulin glargine-based therapies may offer an economic advantage over NPH-based therapies.