A Single-Center, Observational, Retrospective Cost-Effective Analysis of Treating Inadequately Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Addition of DPP4 Inhibitors Versus Intensified Treatment with Conventional Drugs

Objective: To compare the cost effectiveness and achievement of glycemic goals in patients inadequately controlled by conventional drugs receiving either intensified treatment or DPP4 inhibitor as an add on. It shall help us to identify a preferred choice of treatment.

Materials and Methods: As per study protocol, 52 patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were included in the study. They received either intensified treatment or add‑on with DPP4 inhibitor. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PPBS), adverse drug reactions, and their cost were calculated for the next 6 months of therapy.

Results: Add on therapy with DPP4 inhibitor showed a greater achievement of glycemic goals. Target HbA1c was achieved by 58.6% (P < 0.0001) versus 40% (P < 0.05), FBS was achieved by 78.50% (P < 0.0001) versus 50% (P < 0.16), and PPBS was achieved by 63.6% (P < 0.0001) versus 42.8% (P < 0.03) in the add‑on with DPP4 inhibitor versus intensified treatment group. No hypoglycemic episodes were documented in both the groups. Add‑on with DPP4 inhibitor cost (×5.13) as compared to intensified treatment.

Conclusions: Add‑on with DPP4 inhibitor therapy achieved glycemic goals in greater proportion of patients as compared to treatment intensification but at 5 times the cost of therapy. Since the patent restrictions for DPP4 inhibitors such as vildagliptin and teneligliptin are over, the cost of therapy has come down. Hence their benefits should be extended to a greater proportion of patients with inadequately controlled type 2 DM.