OBJECTIVETo evaluate the cost-effectiveness of preventive treatment on diabetes, using metformin or acarbose among patients with impaired glucose tolerance.

METHODSUsing data from diabetes prevention program (DPP) and STOP-NIDDM study, we evaluated the cost of preventing one new onset of diabetes in Shanghai, and to compare its cost with the current treatment cost.

RESULTSIf metformin was used for preventive treatment as in DPP study, a total cost of 69 122.95RMB was needed for preventing one new onset of diabetes in three years period. If acarbose was used for preventive treatment as in STOP-NIDDM, then 154 116.05RMB was the cost to prevent one diabetes in 3.3 years of treatment. However, if the generic metformin was used, the total cost was only 21 666.63RMB for the 3-years treatment. Data showed that the average cost for treating diabetes per year was 9143.70RMB in Shanghai.

CONCLUSIONThe total cost of diabetes prevention was formidable, although generic metformin showed the trend of cost-effective. The cost of drugs took the biggest part of the total cost. To choose the cheap but effective drug for treatment might save a large part of the cost. Further clinical research concerning the prevention of complications might provide us with more information on the cost-effectiveness of preventive treatment on diabetes.