OBJECTIVES

To assess the long-term cost-effectiveness of the insulin degludec/liraglutide combination (IDegLira) versus liraglutide for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) uncontrolled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) in China.

METHODS

Long-term projections of cost-effectiveness outcomes were made using IQVIA CORE Diabetes model from China’s health care system perspective over a 30-year horizon. Clinical inputs were obtained from the DUALⅠChina randomized controlled trial in which adults with T2DM falling to achieve glycemic targets with OAD were randomly allocated to receive either IDegLira or liraglutide. Cost and utilities were retrieved from published sources in China. Future costs and clinical benefits were discounted by 5% annually. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses was performed.

RESULTS

IDegLira was associated with improved discounted life years of 0.01 (12.408 vs. 12.398) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of 0.02 (8.825 vs. 8.805) compared to liraglutide. Improved clinical outcomes resulted from fewer diabetes-related complications and a delayed time to their onset. IDegLira was associated with mean costs savings of CNY 5,986 versus liraglutide (CNY 288,599 vs. CNY 294,585), resulting from lower treatment costs and avoided diabetes-related complications. IDegLira is a dominant option over liraglutide. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the model.

CONCLUSIONS

IDegLira is estimated to be a cost saving treatment compared with liraglutide for patients with T2DM uncontrolled on oral antidiabetic drugs in China.