Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness relationship of insulins and insulin analogs in diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2), from the perspective of the Colombian health system.

Methods

A short-term decision tree model (SM) was built, the outcome of which was severe/nocturnal hypoglycemia, and a long-term Markov model for quality-adjusted life-years. The probabilities were calculated through a literature review of effectiveness and safety. The costs are estimated from official databases. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

For DM1, in prandial insulins, and for both models, the cost-effective interventions (CEIs) are aspartate and lispro. In basal insulins, the CEIs are NPH and glargine U-100 in both models. In the comparison of detemir and NPH, detemir generates lower nocturnal hypoglycemia and higher quality-adjusted life-years; however, in the long-term Markov model, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio exceeds the threshold. For DM2, in the prandial insulin, and for both models, aspartate is a CEI and the glargine U-300 is also a CEI in the SM. In basal insulin, the CEIs are glargine U-100 and detemir (for nocturnal hypoglycemia) in both models and glargine U-300 is also a CEI in the SM. Finally, in the group of combinations, iGlarLixi is dominant over IDegLira.

Conclusions

The results favor the use of analog insulins over human insulins, the former reducing the possibility of acute events and chronic complications to a greater extent.