Does Professional CGM Decrease the Economic Burden of T2D?

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who use professional continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may have improved patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs compared with those without professional CGM, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Economics.

Researchers identified a cohort of 6113 patients diagnosed with T2D that were prescribed CGM and calculated their economic and clinical outcomes 1 year before and 1 year after using professional CGM. A group of 670,812 patients diagnosed with T2D, but not prescribed CGM, was identified and served as the control group for this study.

Study results demonstrated an overall reduction in HbA1C in the CGM cohort, with a statistically significant “difference-in-difference” of −0.44% (P <.001). In addition, the “difference-in-difference” growth cost in 1 year was $3327 lower for patients who were prescribed professional CGM while changing their diabetes treatment regimen compared with those without professional CGM (P =.0023). Finally, those who used CGM more than once a year experienced a $3376 difference in the growth of their total costs compared with those who did not use CGM.

Researchers concluded that the use of professional CGM to monitor and assess a patient’s glycemic control during a change in a patient’s diabetes therapy was shown to reduce the patient’s overall HbA_1c level and reduce healthcare costs. Clinicians should consider the use of professional CGM when developing policies regarding the management of T2D, given the demonstrated cost-effectiveness and improved clinical outcomes demonstrated in this study.

Reference

Sierra JA, Shah M, Gill MS, et al. Clinical and economics benefits of professional CGM among people with type 2 diabetes in the United States: analysis of claims and lab data. J Med Econ. 2017;17:1-6.