Abstract

FERNANDEZ DE BOBADILLA, J. et al. Cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a pharmacoeconomic model of the CARDS study. An. Med. Interna (Madrid) [online]. 2006, vol.23, n.5, pp.213-219. ISSN 0212-7199.

Background and objective: To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of Atorvastatin 10 mg in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2). Method: A deterministic and retrospective model by a decision analysis based on CARDS study (Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study) was performed. In the CARDS study, a significant reduction in cardiovascular morbimortality by the use of Atorvastatin 10 mg versus placebo (5.8 vs. 9.0%, p=0.001) in DM2 patients with an additional condition, had previously been demonstrated. In the present cost-effectiveness analysis, effectiveness units were life years gained (LYG) and quality adjusted life years (QALY), obtained from differences in morbimortality and life expectancy in DM2 patients, with and without previous cardiovascular events. Costs of the evaluated alternatives were obtained from the CARDS results. Results: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of using Atorvastin 10 mg versus placebo was 5,886 € per LYG and 8,046 € per QALY. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the model stability. Conclusions: In the primary prevention of the cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients, the use of Atorvastatin 10 mg is cost-effective, with a cost per LYG and per QALY below that of other alternatives widely used in the Spanish National Health System, and also below a value considered as a reasonable threshold for our country, which might unofficialy be around 30,000 €/ QALY.

Keywords : Diabetes mellitus; Primary prevention; Cost effectiveness; Atorvastatin.

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