A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations of Insulin Therapies

Kifayat Shah^*
*Correspondence: Kifayat Shah, Department of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA, Email:

Keywords

Insulin therapies • Diabetics • Global health

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus represents a significant global health challenge, with an estimated 537 million adults living with the condition by 2023, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Insulin therapy, introduced nearly a century ago, remains essential in managing both type 1 and advanced type 2 diabetes. However, the rising prevalence of diabetes, coupled with escalating healthcare costs, necessitates a thorough understanding of the economic implications of insulin therapy. Economic evaluations provide valuable insights into the costeffectiveness of different insulin regimens, helping policymakers and clinicians make informed decisions regarding resource allocation and patient care [1].

Literature Review

A systematic search was conducted across major electronic databases, including Indexed at, Embase and the Cochrane Library, to identify relevant studies published between the search strategy utilized a combination of keywords such as "insulin therapy," "economic evaluation," "cost-effectiveness," and "diabetes mellitus." Studies were included if they conducted economic evaluations of insulin therapies in the management of diabetes. Studies were excluded if they did not focus on insulin therapy, were not economic evaluations, or were published in languages other than English [2].

Discussion

The initial search yielded a total of 312 articles, of which 36 met the inclusion criteria after screening titles and abstracts. Following full-text assessment, 21 studies were included in the final analysis. The majority of studies were conducted in high-income countries, predominantly in North America and Europe, with a smaller representation from Asia-Pacific regions. Various types of economic evaluations were identified, including cost-effectiveness analyses comparing different insulin analogs, cost-utility analyses assessing long-term outcomes and quality-adjusted life years and cost-benefit analyses evaluating the societal impact of insulin therapy [3-6]. The findings of this systematic review highlight the complex interplay between clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness and patient outcomes in insulin therapy. Several studies demonstrated that while newer insulin analogs may offer clinical advantages such as reduced risk of hypoglycemia or improved glycemic control, their higher acquisition costs may not always translate into significant long-term cost savings or improved cost-effectiveness compared to conventional insulins. Furthermore, the choice of insulin regimen and treatment intensific ation strategies should consider individual patient characteristics, preferences and adherence patterns, as these factors can significantly influence the overall economic value of therapy.

Conclusion

Economic evaluations of insulin therapies provide valuable insights into the affordability, cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability of diabetes management strategies. While newer insulin analogs continue to drive innovation in diabetes care, their adoption should be guided by rigorous economic assessments that consider not only short-term clinical outcomes but also the broader societal impact and cost implications. Future research should focus on addressing existing evidence gaps, including the comparative effectiveness of insulin therapies across diverse patient populations, the impact of treatment adherence on economic outcomes and the potential role of emerging technologies such as closed-loop insulin delivery systems in improving cost-effectiveness and patient-centered care in diabetes management.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

References

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