CHICAGO, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New findings from a retrospective cohort study using real-world claims data of more than 15,000 drug naive patients with type 2 diabetes showed that initial therapy with Avandia(R) (rosiglitazone maleate) was associated with significantly fewer healthcare visits and lower total medical costs when compared to patients initiating therapy with a sulfonylurea. These data will be presented Sunday, June 24, 2007 at the American Diabetes Association 67th Scientific Sessions [poster # 1191].
“The study findings demonstrate that treatment with Avandia resulted in significantly lower total medical costs for the patient over time, when compared to sulfonylurea therapy. These data are important to physicians selecting treatment for their patients because the financial burden of diabetes and its associated health problems is staggering -- not only to patients but to their families and the healthcare system as well,” said Dr. Mei Sheng Duh, co-author of the study and Vice President of the Analysis Group, Inc., a national economic consulting firm.
Key study findings include: -- Total direct medical costs were significantly lower in the group taking Avandia when compared to the sulfonylurea group ($1,065 vs. $1,315 per patient per month (PPPM), including lower in-patient and out-patient costs ($718 vs. $1,046 PPPM). -- Total medical costs, which included indirect costs due to work loss and direct medical costs, were also lower in patients taking Avandia ($1,221 vs. $1,512 PPPM). -- Patients taking Avandia required less medical services than those taking a sulfonylurea, including less frequent in-patient and outpatient visits (0.47 vs. 0.77 visits per patient per year (PPPY) and 17.0 vs. 17.9 PPPY respectively) and number of hospital days (1.6 vs. 2.9 days PPPY). -- Multivariate analysis controlling for age, gender, co-morbidities and other covariates confirmed that patients taking Avandia had significantly lower total medical costs than the sulfonylurea group, with a total cost difference of $108 PPPM. -- Although patients taking Avandia incurred higher prescription drug costs as compared to patients taking sulfonylurea ($348 vs. $270 PPPM), the increase in prescription costs was offset by a decrease in inpatient and outpatient costs resulting in lower total medical costs.
About the Study
The study presented at the ADA meeting compared real-world medical, pharmacy and disability insurance claims data of more than 3,300 patients treated with Avandia to more than 11,700 patients treated with sulfonylurea between 2001 and 2005. Patients included in the analysis had a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and were newly initiated on an oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) (none of the patients had received a prescription for an OAD in the six months prior to being initiated on Avandia or sulfonylurea). Frequency of in-patient and out-patient visits and average direct (inpatient, outpatient, prescription) and indirect (work loss) costs were compared between both treatment groups.
Diabetes: A Disabling Condition with Devastating Consequences
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that can be life threatening; yet, two-thirds of the patients with diabetes have uncontrolled disease. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to heart disease, and is the leading cause of blindness, kidney disease and non-traumatic amputations in the US.
A recent report, State of Diabetes Complications in America, showed that the health problems associated with type 2 diabetes are taking a heavy financial toll on the US. In 2006, the nation spent an estimated $22.9 billion on direct medical costs related to diabetes complications. For a person with type 2 diabetes complications, the report shows that estimated annual healthcare costs are about three times higher than that of the average American without diagnosed diabetes. Diabetes complications cost a person with type 2 diabetes almost $10,000 each year and people with diabetes complications pay nearly $1,600 out of their own pockets for costs that are not reimbursed by insurance, such as co-payments and deductibles. This amount is significant, considering that according to the National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 40 percent of adults with diabetes reported a family income of less than $35,000 per year in 2005. The report was issued in May by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists in partnership with the Amputee Coalition of America, Mended Hearts, the National Federation of the Blind and the National Kidney Foundation, and supported by GlaxoSmithKline (please visit www.stateofdiabetes.com for additional information).
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information, visit GlaxoSmithKline on the World Wide Web at www.gsk.com.
Important Safety Information for Avandia(R) (rosiglitazone maleate) Avandia, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control. It may be taken alone or with other diabetes medicines. For some people taking Avandia, possible side effects include heart failure or other heart problems. Further information regarding potential heart-related risks is currently under review by the FDA. Talk to your doctor as FDA has made information on potential heart-related risks available to physicians on its website at www.fda.gov. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems or heart failure. Avandia can cause your body to keep extra fluid, which leads to swelling and weight gain. Extra body fluid can make some heart problems worse or lead to heart failure. If you have swelling or fluid retention, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, an unusually rapid increase in weight, or unusual tiredness while taking Avandia, call your doctor right away. You should not take Avandia if you have liver problems. Blood tests should be used to check for liver problems before starting and while taking Avandia. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or if you experience unexplained tiredness, stomach problems, dark urine or yellowing of skin while taking Avandia. Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you are taking. If you are taking Avandia with another diabetes medicine that lowers blood sugar, you may be at increased risk for low blood sugar. Ask your doctor whether you need to lower the dose of your other diabetes medicine. Avandia may increase your risk of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before taking Avandia if you could become pregnant or if you are pregnant. If you are nursing, you should not take Avandia. Talk to your doctor for advice on how to keep your bones healthy. More fractures, usually in the upper arm, hand, or foot, have been seen in women taking Avandia. Your doctor should check your eyes regularly. Very rarely, some people have experienced vision changes due to swelling in the back of the eye while taking Avandia.
Inquiries US Media inquiries: Nancy Pekarek (215) 751 7709 Mary Anne Rhyne (919) 483 2839 Alice Hunt (215) 751 7709 UK Media inquiries: Phil Thomson (020) 8047 5502 Joss Mathieson (020) 8047 5502 Gwenan White (020) 8047 5502 US Analyst/ Investor inquiries: Frank Murdolo (215) 751 7002 Tom Curry (215) 751 5419 European Analyst/Investor inquiries: Anita Kidgell (020) 8047 5542 David Mawdsley (020) 8047 5564 Sally Ferguson (020) 8047 5543
GlaxoSmithKline
CONTACT: US Media inquiries: Nancy Pekarek, +1-215-751-7709, or Mary AnneRhyne, +1-919-483-2839. or Alice Hunt, +1-215-751-7709; UK Media inquiries,Phil Thomson, +020-8047-5502, or Joss Mathieson, +1-020-8047-5502. orGwenan White, +1-020-8047-5502; US Analyst/Investor inquiries, FrankMurdolo, +1-215-751 7002, Tom Curry, +1-215-751-5419; EuropeanAnalyst/Investor inquiries, Anita Kidgell, +1-020-8047-5542, or DavidMawdsley, +1-020-8047-5564, or Sally Ferguson +1-020-8047-5543, all forGlaxoSmithKline
Web site: http://www.gsk.com//
