OBJECTIVES : The Europe-based, prospective, observational ReFLeCT study recently showed that switching to the ultralong-acting basal insulin analogue degludec (IDeg) was associated with improved glycemic control and reductions in hypoglycemic events versus previous basal insulin therapies in patients with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). The present analysis aimed to assess the impact of these findings on long-term cost-effectiveness outcomes in the Swedish setting.

METHODS : Cost-effectiveness was evaluated separately in patients with T1D and T2D over a 50-year time horizon using the IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model (version 9.0). Patients were assumed to receive IDeg or continue previous insulin therapy (with or without bolus insulin) for 5 years, before all patients intensified to insulin degludec plus bolus insulin for the remainder of their lifetimes. Baseline cohort characteristics were sourced from ReFLeCT where possible. Treatment effects on initiation of IDeg were based on data from ReFLeCT. Costs were estimated from a Swedish societal perspective and expressed in 2018 Swedish krona (SEK).

RESULTS : IDeg was associated with improvements in quality-adjusted life expectancy of 0.14 and 0.07 quality-adjusted life years versus continuation of previous insulin therapy in patients with T1D and T2D, respectively, resulting from improved glycemic control and fewer hypoglycemic events. Combined direct and indirect costs were estimated to be SEK 137,020 and SEK 2,009 lower for insulin degludec versus previous insulin therapy in patients with T1D and T2D, respectively, with higher treatment costs offset by cost savings from avoidance of diabetes-related complications. IDeg was therefore considered dominant versus continuation of previous insulin therapies for the treatment of both T1D and T2D.

CONCLUSIONS : Based on real-world evidence, IDeg represents an effective and cost-saving treatment option versus other basal insulin therapies for patients with T1D and T2D in Sweden.