Cost-effectiveness of intensive glycemic control, intensified hypertension control, and serum cholesterol level reduction for type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Several treatment interventions can reduce complications of type 2 diabetes, but their relative cost-effectiveness is not known.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness of intensive glycemic control (relative to conventional control), intensified hypertension control, and reduction in serum cholesterol level for patients with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Cost-effectiveness analysis of a hypothetical cohort of individuals living in the United States, aged 25 years or older, who were newly diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. The results of the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) and other studies were used to create a model of disease progression and treatment patterns. Costs were based on those used in community practices in the United States.


METHODS
Insulin or sulfonylurea therapy for intensive glycemic control; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or beta-blocker for intensified hypertension control; and pravastatin for reduction of serum cholesterol level.


METHODS
Cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Costs (in 1997 US dollars) and QALYs were discounted at a 3% annual rate.


RESULTS
The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for intensive glycemic control is $41 384 per QALY; this ratio increased with age at diagnosis from $9614 per QALY for patients aged 25 to 34 years to $2.1 million for patients aged 85 to 94 years. For intensified hypertension control the cost-effectiveness ratio is -$1959 per QALY. The cost-effectiveness ratio for reduction in serum cholesterol level is $51 889 per QALY; this ratio varied by age at diagnosis and is lowest for patients diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 84 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensified hypertension control reduces costs and improves health outcomes relative to moderate hypertension control. Intensive glycemic control and reduction in serum cholesterol level increase costs and improve health outcomes. The cost-effectiveness ratios for these 2 interventions are comparable with those of several other frequently adopted health care interventions.
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000191:economics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008390:Markov Chains; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D002784:Cholesterol; D017035:Pravastatin