Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Sensor-Augmented Insulin Pump Therapy with Automated Insulin Suspension Versus Standard Insulin Pump Therapy in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes in Sweden.

INTRODUCTION: In Sweden an estimated 10,000 people with type 1 diabetes use continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Sensor-augmented pump therapy (SAP) is associated with higher acquisition costs but provides additional clinical benefits (e.g. reduced rate of hypoglycemic events) over and above that of CSII alone. The aim of the analysis was to assess the cost-effectiveness of SAP with automated insulin suspension relative to CSII alone in two different groups of patients with type 1 diabetes in Sweden.

METHODS: Cost-effectiveness analyses were performed using the QuintilesIMS CORE Diabetes Model, with clinical and economic input data derived from published literature. Separate analyses were performed for patients at increased risk of hypoglycemia and for patients with uncontrolled glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at baseline. Analyses were performed from a societal perspective over a lifetime time horizon. Future costs and clinical outcomes were discounted at 3% per annum.

RESULTS: SAP with automated insulin suspension was associated with an incremental gain in quality-adjusted life expectancy versus the CSII of 1.88 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in patients at high risk of hypoglycemia and of 1.07 QALYs in patients with uncontrolled HbA1c at baseline. Higher lifetime costs for SAP with automated insulin suspension resulted in projected incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for the SAP with automated insulin suspension versus CSII of Swedish Krona (SEK) 139,795 [euros (EUR) 14,648] per QALY gained for patients at increased risk for hypoglycemia and SEK 251,896 (EUR 26,395) per QALY gained for patients with uncontrolled HbA1c. In both groups, SAP with automated insulin suspension also reduced the incidence of diabetes-related complications relative to CSII.

CONCLUSIONS: In Sweden, SAP with automated insulin suspension likely represents a cost-effective treatment option relative to CSII for the management of patients with type 1 diabetes with a history of severe hypoglycemic events or patients who struggle to achieve good glycemic control despite the use of CSII.

FUNDING: Medtronic International Trading Sàrl.