Postprandial glucose and healthcare resource use: a cross-sectional survey of adults with diabetes treated with basal-bolus insulin

• Published in: Journal of medical economics Vol. 21; no. 1; p. 66
• Main Authors: Pfeiffer, Kathryn M, Sandberg, Anna, Nikolajsen, Annie, Brod, Meryl
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 02.01.2018
• Subjects: postprandial hyperglycemia; diabetes mellitus, type 2; diabetes management; Diabetes mellitus, type 1; healthcare resource utilization; postprandial glucose
• ISSN: 1941-837X
• DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2017.1377208

Postprandial glucose (PPG) control is a well-known challenge for diabetes management, yet there is limited research on how PPG affects healthcare resource utilization. This study investigated the association between PPG levels and healthcare resource utilization among adults with diabetes treated with basal-bolus insulin. A web-based, cross-sectional survey (n = 940) of adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and treated with basal and bolus insulins was conducted in Italy, the UK, and the US. Descriptive analyses included frequencies, cross-tabulations, and comparison of means. Incidence-rate ratios (IRR) were calculated using negative binomial regression analysis to investigate the relationship between elevated PPG and healthcare resource utilization. Models controlled for demographic characteristics, duration of diabetes, and diabetes-related complications. Among respondents who measured PPG regularly and reported their two highest PPG values in the past week (n = 691), the mean average highest PPG value was 11.9 mmol/L (SD = 4.0). On average, holding other variables constant at their means, a 1 mmol/L increase in PPG was associated with an increase in healthcare resource utilization related to diabetes and elevated PPG, including the expected number of healthcare provider (HCP) visits in the past 6 months (IRR [95% CI] = 1.14 [1.08-1.21], p < .001), the expected number of calls/emails to HCPs in the past 6 months (IRR [95% CI] = 1.12 [1.06-1.19], p < .001), and the expected number of overnight hospitalizations in the past year (IRR [95% CI] = 1.14 [1.07-1.23], p < .001). The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias. Given the cross-sectional nature of the study, results should be interpreted with caution. Increased PPG levels were significantly associated with increased healthcare resource utilization among adults with diabetes. Additional education regarding PPG monitoring may help improve the day-to-day management of diabetes and reduce healthcare costs.