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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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Non-brand specific cost-effectiveness analysis of using GLP-1 agonists in combination with basal insulin in Denmark

Author

Term

4. term

Publication year

2014

Pages

55

Abstract

Baggrund: For personer med type 2-diabetes, der ikke er velreguleret på basalinsulin og metformin, kan GLP-1-agonister (en type medicin, der sænker blodsukker og ofte vægt) forbedre blodsukkerkontrollen uden at øge risikoen for lavt blodsukker (hypoglykæmi). Formål: At vurdere, om det – uden fokus på bestemte mærker – er omkostningseffektivt i en dansk kontekst at tilføje en GLP-1-agonist til basalinsulin + metformin sammenlignet med basalinsulin + metformin alene. Metode: En meta-analyse af to kliniske forsøg, som begge sammenlignede basalinsulin + GLP-1-agonist med basalinsulin + placebo, dannede grundlag for input til en computerbaseret diabetesmodel (IMS CORE Diabetes-modellen). Analysen projicerede omkostninger og sundhedsgevinster over 50 år og målte effekt i kvalitetsjusterede leveår (QALY), et mål der kombinerer levetid og livskvalitet. Resultater: At tilføje en GLP-1-agonist var forbundet med en anslået ekstra omkostning på 564.333 DKK pr. ekstra kvalitetsjusteret leveår sammenlignet med basalinsulin + placebo. De to underliggende studier havde modstridende resultater, hvilket påvirkede den samlede vurdering og skaber usikkerhed. Konklusion: Der er behov for yderligere forskning for at kunne drage en endelig konklusion om omkostningseffektiviteten i denne sammenhæng.

Background: For people with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar is not well controlled on basal insulin and metformin, GLP-1 agonists (a type of medicine that lowers blood sugar and often weight) can improve control without increasing the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Objective: To assess, without focusing on any specific brand, whether adding a GLP-1 agonist to basal insulin + metformin is cost-effective in a Danish setting compared with basal insulin + metformin alone. Methods: A meta-analysis of two clinical trials comparing basal insulin + a GLP-1 agonist with basal insulin + placebo provided inputs to a computer diabetes model (the IMS CORE Diabetes model). The analysis projected costs and health outcomes over 50 years and measured benefits in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), which combine length and quality of life. Results: Adding a GLP-1 agonist was associated with an estimated additional cost of 564,333 DKK per extra quality-adjusted life year compared with basal insulin + placebo. The two trials showed conflicting results, which influenced the overall estimate and adds uncertainty. Conclusion: More research is needed before firm conclusions can be made about cost-effectiveness in this context.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]