PMID- 28345434 OWN - NLM STAT- MEDLINE DCOM- 20170809 LR - 20230805 IS - 2376-1032 (Electronic) IS - 2376-0540 (Print) IS - 2376-0540 (Linking) VI - 23 IP - 4 DP - 2017 Apr TI - Effect of Diabetes Treatment-Related Attributes on Costs to Type 2 Diabetes Patients in a Real-World Population. PG - 446-452 LID - 10.18553/jmcp.2017.23.4.446 [doi] AB - BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) results in a substantial economic burden on patients, health care systems, and society. Most literature assessing the cost of T2DM focuses on the long-term complications of the disease, the association between glucose control and cost, and patient characteristics resulting in poor and costly outcomes. However, it is likely that attributes specific to diabetes therapy can affect the use of costly resources. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of diabetes treatment-related attributes, such as improved efficacy, adherence, and reduced risk for hypoglycemia, on costs to T2DM patients. METHODS: An observational, retrospective study was conducted using the Optum Clinformatics Database, which links medical and pharmacy claims to laboratory results. Patients aged >/= 18 years with T2DM who had >/= 1 antidiabetic medication claim; >/= 1 hemoglobin A1c (A1c) test result; continuous enrollment in the health plan from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011; and at least 1 follow-up day were included. Nondiabetes specific total, inpatient, outpatient, emergency room, and other costs (along with antidiabetes medication costs) were defined for each patient. Generalized linear models with logarithm link were used to predict the 1-year and cumulative 3-year costs. Demographic factors and comorbidities were included as covariates in addition to the diabetes treatment-related attributes. RESULTS: In the entire analysis cohort, the average 3-year cost per patient was $74,862. The percentage effect on cost of diabetes treatment-related variables ranged from -18% to 429%. Drug adherence was associated with lower inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room costs and higher drug costs. Hypoglycemia was associated with higher inpatient, outpatient, emergency room, and other direct costs (except antidiabetic drug costs). Compared with A1c values