Abstract

Background

Recent estimates from the International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas have quantified the total annual expenditure for diabetes in China to be between 354 and 611 billion Chinese yuan (¥) (2015).

Objectives

To use a modeling approach to assess the current and possible future diabetes burden in China on the basis of the current standard of type 2 diabetes (T2D) management (status quo [SQ]) and a series of hypothetical improved management strategies.

Methods

The IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model was used to evaluate the economic burden of T2D in China on the basis of assumptions reflecting the current SQ of T2D management and a number of stepwise improvements. SQ was defined as a scenario in which T2D diagnosis is delayed by 4 years, treatment escalation to maintain glucose control occurs at a 9% glycated hemoglobin (HbA ) threshold, and there is an overall 60% adherence rate. Stepwise improvements considered immediate diagnosis, declining levels of HbA escalation thresholds to 7.0%, and improvements in adherence rate to 80% and 100%. The CORE Diabetes Model was applied on per-capita level to project lifetime costs and clinical outcomes of newly diseased T2D individuals in the Chinese setting. Model outcomes were subsequently annualized and extrapolated to Chinese national level considering the total number of diagnosed individuals with T2D in China.

Results

The total annual direct costs attributable to diagnosed T2D in China reflecting current SQ management were estimated at ¥621 billion. Scenarios exploring stepwise improvements from SQ estimated annual net savings of ¥35, ¥35, ¥60, ¥71, ¥75, and ¥106 billion for scenarios exploring immediate diagnosis, HbA threshold reductions to 8.0% and 7.0%, adherence rate increase to 80% and 100%, and cardiovascular risk factor control in concordance with clinical guidelines, respectively. Net savings resulted from reduced costs to treat diabetes complications (¥38, ¥67, ¥124, ¥141, ¥161, and ¥212 billion) and excess treatment costs alongside stepwise management improvements (¥4, ¥32, ¥65, ¥69, ¥86, and ¥107 billion). Per-capita life expectancy was increased by 0.26, 0.68, 1.33, 1.47, 1.69, and 3.21 years, respectively.

Conclusions

Improved T2D management strategies can help to decrease the financial burden of the disease and increase life expectancy of individuals with T2D.