Objectives: Prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (TD2M) is a priority for healthcare systems. We estimated the cost-effectiveness compared with standard care of a structured education programme (Let's Prevent) targeting lifestyle and behaviour change to prevent progression to T2DM in people with prediabetes.
Design: Cost-effectiveness analysis alongside randomised controlled trial.
Setting: 44 general practices in Leicestershire, England.
Participants: 880 participants with prediabetes randomised to receive either standard care or a 6-hour group structured education programme with follow-up sessions in a primary care setting.
Main outcome measure: Incremental cost utility from the UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. Quality of life and resource use measured from baseline and during the 36 months follow-up using the EuroQoL EQ-5D and 15D instruments and an economic questionnaire. Outcomes measured using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and healthcare costs calculated in 2012-2013 prices.
Results: After accounting for clustering and missing data, the intervention group was found to have a net gain of 0.046 (95% CI -0.0171 to 0.109) QALYs over 3 years, adjusted for baseline utility, at an additional cost of £168 (95% CI -395 to 732) per patient compared with the standard care group. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is £3643/QALY with an 86% probability of being cost-effective at a willingness to pay threshold of £20 000/QALY.
Conclusions: The education programme had higher costs and higher quality of life compared with the standard care group. The Let's Prevent programme is very likely to be cost-effective at a willingness to pay threshold of £20 000/QALY gained.
Trial registration number: ISRCTN80605705.
Keywords: DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY; HEALTH ECONOMICS; PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; PRIMARY CARE.
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