Objective: The ADA defines normoglycemia as HbA1c < 5.7% and glycemic control for most adults with diabetes as HbA1c < 7%. This research examined U.S. healthcare costs for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with index HbA1c < 5.7% (normoglycemia) compared to HbA1c ≥ 7% (above target).
Methods: The IBM® MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare databases (2013-2017) were used to identify adults with T2D, a recorded HbA1c result (first such date = index date), and continuous insurance coverage from 1 year prior through a 1 year post index date (post-period). Patients with normoglycemia were matched to patients with HbA1c above target without replacement. Using the propensity-score matched cohort, multivariable analyses examined the association between index HbA1c and healthcare costs.
Results: In the 1:1 matched cohort (7,567 normoglycemia; 7,567 above target), multivariable analyses showed that patients with normoglycemia had significantly lower post-period all-cause and diabetes-related drug costs, acute care costs, and outpatient costs compared to patients above target. Total diabetes-related costs were 25% lower (Figure 1) and all-cause total costs were 4% lower (both P<0.0001) for patients with normoglycemia compared to those with index HbA1c above target.
Conclusion: Results suggest significant economic benefits associated with normoglycemia compared to HbA1c ≥ 7%.
K. Boye: Employee; Self; Lilly Diabetes. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. M.J. Lage: Consultant; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Consultant; Spouse/Partner; Eli Lilly and Company. N.K. Raibulet: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. M. Yu: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Employee; Spouse/Partner; LifeLabs. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company.
