Cost-Effectiveness of the FreeStyle Libre® System Versus Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes on Insulin Treatment in Sweden.

Abstract

IntroductionFrequent glucose monitoring is essential to obtain glucose control. This is done by periodic self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) using finger-prick testing, or by using continuous glucose monitoring devices, wherein a sensor records interstitial glucose data automatically. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of using the FreeStyle Libre Flash Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (FSL) compared to SMBG in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with insulin from a Swedish societal perspective.MethodsCost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using the IQVIA Core Diabetes model v9.5, with demographic and clinical inputs from a real-world study using Swedish National Diabetes Register data. Two cohorts of individuals with T2D were considered based on baseline HbA1C (HbA1c: 8–9% [64–75 mmol/mol]; HbA1c: 9–12% [75–108 mmol/mol]). HbA1c reductions with FSL were − 0.41% (− 4 mmol/mol; SD: 0.94%-10 mmol/mol) and − 1.30% (− 14 mmol/mol; SD: 1.40%-15 mmol/mol) for the two cohorts, respectively. Utilities, treatment costs and diabetes-related complication costs were obtained from published sources. Analyses were conducted over a lifetime horizon, applying annual discounting of 3% on costs and effects. Scenario analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsIndividuals with T2D who had a baseline HbA1c of 8–9% (64–75 mmol/mol) and 9–12% (75–108 mmol/mol) and used FSL gained 0.50 and 0.57 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), respectively, at an incremental cost of SEK109,957 and SEK82,170 compared to SMBG, generating an incremental cost-utility ratio of SEK219,127 and SEK144,412 per QALY gained. Assuming a willingness-to-pay threshold of SEK300,000 per QALY gained, FSL use was considered cost-effective compared to SMBG for the majority of the individuals in both the lower and higher HbA1c cohorts. The key driver identified was the additional quality-of-life benefit that applied to FSL use.ConclusionThe FreeStyle Libre Flash Continuous Glucose Monitoring System is a cost-effective glucose monitoring alternative to SMBG for individuals with T2D in Sweden who are treated with insulin but are not reaching their glycaemic goals.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13300-021-01172-1.