Abstract
Aims/Introduction: The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of administering voglibose, in addition to standard care of diet and exercise, compared with standard care alone for high-risk Japanese patients with impaired glucose tolerance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Markov model was constructed to estimate the long-term prognosis of individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, in terms of expected medical costs and life expectancy. Transition probabilities were derived from the results of a clinical trial of voglibose, as well as the epidemiological information. Effectiveness was evaluated by life expectancy and only direct costs were considered. The future costs and effectiveness were discounted by 3% per year. RESULTS: Estimated expected lifetime costs for the voglibose administration group and the standard care group was JPY718,724 ($US7598) and JPY1,365,405 ($US14,433), respectively, with voglibose administration resulting in saving of JPY646,681 ($US6836). Estimated life expectancy was 18.672 and 18.073 years, respectively, with life expectancy prolonged by 0.599 years when voglibose was administered together with the standard care. CONCLUSIONS: In order to prevent type 2 diabetes among Japanese patients with impaired glucose tolerance, voglibose with standard care resulted in cost-saving, as well as prolongation of life expectancy, compared with standard care alone. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2010.0052.x, 2010).