Cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin compared to DPP-4 inhibitors as combination therapy with metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus without established cardiovascular disease in Colombia.

Introduction: SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP-4 inhibitors are among the preferred options in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without established cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin versus DPP-4 inhibitors as a complement to metformin in the treatment ofT2D, from the perspective of the Colombian health system.

Methods: The Cardiff model was used to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of dapagliflozin plus metformin compared to DPP-4 inhibitors plus metformin in adults with T2DM who did not respond adequately to metformin monotherapy. We estimated the incidence of micro- and macrovascular complications from risk equations incorporating the effect of treatment. The time horizon for analysis was 5 years and a discount rate of 5% was applied, for both costs and outcomes. The costs were expressed in 2020 USD (1 USD = $3,693.36 COP).

Results: Dapagliflozin in association with metformin resulted in a higher number of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared to the intervention. The ICER was US$1,964.80 per QALY gained.

Conclusion: From the point of view of Colombian healthcare system, the combination of dapagliflozin with metformin is a cost-effective option compared to DPP-4 + metformin inhibitors in the treatment of T2D without established cardiovascular disease.