Authors: Keers, J. C.; Groen, H.¹; Sluiter, W. J.²; Bouma, J.³; Links, T. P.⁴

Source: Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, Volume 11, Number 3, June 2005 , pp. 293-303(11)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Objectives

To determine the cost and benefits of an intensive diabetes education programme for patients with prolonged self-management problems and to determine the inclusion criteria for optimal outcomes. Methods

Sixty-one participants of a multidisciplinary intensive diabetes education programme (MIDEP) were measured before they started the intervention (T0), and at 1-year follow-up (T1). Data on glycaemic control (HbA1c), diabetes-related distress (PAID) and costs were obtained. Changes over time were analysed and means at T0 and T1 were compared to a reference group of 230 non-referred consecutive outpatients. The number needed to treat (NNT), that is, the number of patients to be treated to achieve one successful case, was calculated for different baseline values of HbA1c and PAID to determine optimal inclusion criteria. Results

Diabetes-related costs decreased significantly and participants improved significantly in HbA1c and diabetes-related distress following MIDEP. HbA1c and distress reached the levels of the reference group. The T1 costs remained higher than in the reference group, but the reduction in costs outweighed the intervention costs. Including patients with baseline HbA1c  8.0% and/or PAID scores  40 would improve the NNT to achieve clinically relevant outcomes, while 76% of the patients matched these inclusion criteria. Conclusions

MIDEP is effective in improving glycaemic control and diabetes-related distress for patients with prolonged self-management difficulties. Besides the immediate reduction in costs found in the present study, improved glycaemic control may reduce future costs of diabetic complications. Stricter inclusion criteria with respect to HbA1c and PAID scores may further improve the programme's efficiency.

Keywords: cost-benefit analysis; diabetes mellitus; patient education; treatment outcome

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2005.00536.x

Affiliations: 1: Medical pharmacologist, Medical Technology Assessment Agency, Groningen University Hospital, The Netherlands 2: Pathologist/internist, Department of Endocrinology, Groningen University Hospital, the Netherlands 3: Medical sociologist, Northern Centre for Healthcare Research, University of Groningen, The Netherlands 4: Endocrinologist, Department of Endocrinology, Groningen University Hospital, The Netherlands

Publication date: 2005-06-01

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