Published Sep 24, 2014

Perth, Australia – Researchers from the University of Western Australia have conducted a modelling study indicating sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy with Low Glucose Suspend functionality (SAPT-LGS) is a cost-effective alternative to standard pump therapy with self-monitoring of blood glucose, for type 1 diabetes patients with impaired hypoglycaemia awareness. This economic evaluation, published in Value in Health, builds upon clinical evidence[i] showing significantly reduced incidence of severe hypoglycaemia and improved quality of life utility scores in these high risk patients when treated with SAPT-LGS. When combined with estimated medical resource use and associated costs over a six-month period, SAPT-LGS was estimated to be cost-effective in the Australian health care setting. “Given the high clinical focus to prevent hypoglycaemic episodes in these vulnerable patients, our findings support the use of this new technology.  Not only is this an effective treatment to reduce potentially life-threatening hypoglycemia, but it is likely cost-effective for the health care system. It will be the responsibility of health care funders and policy makers to ensure the availability of this therapy to these at risk patients,” said co-author Professor Tim Jones, MD, DCH, FRACP from the School of Paediatrics and Child Health and Telethon Institute of Child Health Research at the University of Western Australia. The full study, “A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Sensor-Augmented Insulin Pump Therapy and Automated Insulin Suspension versus Standard Pump Therapy for Hypoglycemic Unaware Patients with Type 1 Diabetes,” is published in Value in Health.