OBJECTIVES

: The use of self-monitoring glucose (SMG) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is a useful alternative that allows the patient to identify and control glucose alterations during the day. SMG can be performed with a traditional glucometer, but the advantage of Accu-Chek ® Instant S, is the additional software, that not only register the daily glucose measures but also develop graphic reports with this data; and this can serve as an educational tool for the doctor and patient, as it helps to perform adjustments of therapies, improve treatment adherence and other health outcomes. A complete economic evaluation study of the use of Accu-Chek® Instant S glucometer in comparison with the available alternative in the National Formulary (traditional glucometers) was developed.

METHODS

: A cost-effectiveness analysis was done from the payer perspective. A markov model with 3 transition states was used to evaluate disease progression in patients recently diagnosed with DM (target population) during a time horizon of 8 years. The primary outcome was defined as patients without a comorbidity. The model was built using high quality evidence from a systematic review and costs published by public health institutions. A 5% discount rate was applied to the results. Costs are expressed in Mexican pesos.

RESULTS: The use of Accu-Chek® Instant S showed a higher rate of patients without a comorbidity in comparison with the use of traditional glucometers (85.88% Vs79.91%) and also represents a cost-saving strategy ($50,102.81 Vs $71,203.61). These results suggests that Accu-Chek ® Instant S is a “dominant” strategy. Robustness of the model was confirmed with the sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

: This cost-effectiveness evaluation shows that an SMG based on technology with software to analyses its results, accompanied with medical support, brings both health and economic benefits, that can be translated into a reduce cost associated with DM.