Cost-utility analysis of second-line anti-diabetic therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on metformin.

Background: There are significant differences in costs and effectiveness among the second-line treatment options for type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the second-line anti-diabetic therapy in T2DM patients inadequately controlled on metformin (MET) in Taiwan from the perspective of the National Health Insurance (NHI).

Methods: The Cardiff T2DM model was used to predict the occurrence of mortality, diabetes-related complications, and drug adverse events.

Comparison of uric acid reduction and renal outcomes of febuxostat vs allopurinol in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Whether the clinical trial treatment effect of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) in patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is generalizable to real-word settings is unclear. This study aimed to compare febuxostat with allopurinol for uric acid reduction and renal protection in patients with CKD. Adult CKD patients newly treated with ULT were identified using electronic health records from 2010 to 2015 from a large healthcare delivery system in Taiwan.

The impact of adoption of a new urate-lowering agent on trends in utilization and cost in practice.

Objectives: Changes in treatment choice of therapy and size of treated population that can lead to under- or overestimate of payer's budget are less likely to be reassured after reimbursement adoption of a new drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of febuxostat introduction and the modifications in its insurance coverage on the utilization and expenditure of urate-lowering therapy (ULT).

Methods: Electronic medical records for adults patients prescribed any ULT during 2010-2015 was derived from the largest medical organization in Taiwan.