[Cost-effective analysis of preventive treatment on diabetes].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of preventive treatment on diabetes, using metformin or acarbose among patients with impaired glucose tolerance.


METHODS
Using data from diabetes prevention program (DPP) and STOP-NIDDM study, we evaluated the cost of preventing one new onset of diabetes in Shanghai, and to compare its cost with the current treatment cost.


RESULTS
If metformin was used for preventive treatment as in DPP study, a total cost of 69 122.95RMB was needed for preventing one new onset of diabetes in three years period. If acarbose was used for preventive treatment as in STOP-NIDDM, then 154 116.05RMB was the cost to prevent one diabetes in 3.3 years of treatment. However, if the generic metformin was used, the total cost was only 21 666.63RMB for the 3-years treatment. Data showed that the average cost for treating diabetes per year was 9143.70RMB in Shanghai.


CONCLUSIONS
The total cost of diabetes prevention was formidable, although generic metformin showed the trend of cost-effective. The cost of drugs took the biggest part of the total cost. To choose the cheap but effective drug for treatment might save a large part of the cost. Further clinical research concerning the prevention of complications might provide us with more information on the cost-effectiveness of preventive treatment on diabetes.
Hu
Yu
Y
Center of Evidence Based Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Chen
Shi-yao
SY
Wang
Ji-yao
JY
D020909:Acarbose / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin; D020909:Acarbose