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. 2021 Sep;12(9):2329-2342.
doi: 10.1007/s13300-021-01064-4. Epub 2021 May 4.

Cost Analysis of FreeStyle Libre® 2 System in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Population

Itziar Oyagüez  1 , Fernando Gómez-Peralta  2 , Sara Artola  3 , Francisco J Carrasco  4 , Juana Carretero-Gómez  5 , Javier García-Soidan  6 , Ricardo Gómez-Huelgas  7 , Juan F Merino-Torres  8 , Antonio Pérez  9
Affiliations

Cost Analysis of FreeStyle Libre® 2 System in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Population

Itziar Oyagüez et al. Diabetes Ther. 2021 Sep.

Erratum in

Abstract

Introduction: FreeStyle Libre® 2 system is a sensor-based flash-monitoring system that measures interstitial fluid glucose. The study aimed to compare cost of FreeStyle Libre 2 system and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) population from the Spanish Health System perspective.

Methods: On the basis of data collected from a literature review, the cost of glucose monitoring was modelled for patients with T2DM on a basal-bolus insulin regimen. The cost estimate included annual consumption for glucose monitoring (strips, lancets and sensors) and severe hypoglycaemic events (SHE) management. A published rate of SHE (2.5 episodes/patient-year) was considered. A reduction of SHE (- 48.8%) associated with FreeStyle Libre 2 system, derived from the REPLACE trial, was applied. Hospital attendance for 20.5% of SHEs (with subsequent hospitalization in 16.0%) was applied. Consumption of strips and lancets was set at 6/day for SMBG (derived from national monitoring recommendations), and 0.2/day for FreeStyle Libre 2 system users, with 26 FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors/year. Unitary costs (€, year 2020 excluding VAT) were derived from literature (€0.28/strip; €0.09/lancet; €3.09/daily FM sensor; €3804/hospitalized SHE; €1794/hospital-attended non-admitted SHE; €389/community-attended SHE).

Results: Costs were €2700 and €2120/year/patient using SMBG or FreeStyle Libre 2 system, respectively. For 1000 patients with T2DM using basal-bolus insulin, 1220 SHEs/year (with 48 hospitalizations) could be prevented and FreeSytle Libre 2 system could generate cost savings of up to €580,953/year versus SMBG (- 21.5%).

Conclusion: FreeStyle Libre 2 system is a potential cost-saving strategy in patients with T2DM in Spain on a basal-bolus insulin regimen.

Keywords: Cost; Diabetes; Flash; FreeStyle Libre; Glucose monitoring.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Detailed annual costs per patient with T2DM receiving basal-bolus insulin therapy. FreeStyle Libre 2 system, SMBG self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose
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