Cost-effectiveness of insulin aspart versus human soluble insulin in type 2 diabetes in four European countries: subgroup analyses from the PREDICTIVE study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the long-term health economic outcomes associated with insulin aspart (IAsp) compared to human soluble insulin (HI) in type 2 diabetes patients on basal-bolus therapy in Sweden, Spain, Italy and Poland.

METHODS

A published computer simulation model of diabetes was used to predict life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy and incidence of diabetes-related complications. Baseline cohort characteristics (age 61.6 years, duration of diabetes 13.2 years, 45.1% male, HbA(1c) 8.2%, BMI 29.8 kg/m(2)) and treatment effects were derived from the PREDICTIVE observational study. Country-specific complication costs were derived from published sources. The analyses were run over 35-year time horizons from third-party payer perspectives in Spain, Italy and Poland and from a societal perspective in Sweden. Future costs and clinical benefits were discounted at country-specific discount rates. Sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

IAsp was associated with improvements in discounted life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy, and a reduced incidence of most diabetes-related complications versus HI in all four settings. IAsp was associated with societal cost-savings in Sweden (SEK 2470), direct medical cost-savings in Sweden and Spain (SEK 8248 and euro 1382, respectively), but increased direct costs in Italy (euro 2235) and Poland (euro 743). IAsp was associated with improved quality-adjusted life expectancy in Sweden (0.077 QALYs), Spain (0.080 QALYs), Italy (0.120 QALYs) and Poland (0.003 QALYs).

CONCLUSIONS

IAsp was dominant versus HI in both Sweden and Spain, would be considered cost-effective in Italy with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of euro 18,597 per QALY gained, but would not be considered cost-effective in Poland.