Postpartum screening for Type 2 diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus: a cost-effectiveness analysis in Singapore

Abstract

Objectives: In Singapore, diabetes imposes a huge population health and economic burden. Despite that, there is paucity of evidence on the health economics of screening programs for type 2 diabetes, especially in the context of screening after gestational diabetes (GDM). The objective of this study is to assess cost-effectiveness of universal lifelong screening for type 2 diabetes after GDM, which is supported by current guidelines, compared with elective screening where 54% of mothers with GDMundertake one-off screening. Despite the recommendation for universal lifelong screening, only 54% comply with this in the first postpartum year.

Methods: We perform a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing 5 screening strategies, accounting for lifetime costs to the healthcare system and quality of life for Singapore women diagnosed with GDM. In particular, a hybrid decision model, based on a decision tree and Markov models, is implemented to estimate cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). Probabilities, costs, and utilities are obtained from existing literature, governmental databases, the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes birth cohort study, and the National University Hospital.

Results: Compared with elective screening, universal annual screening reduces cost by SG$19.4 million while adding 3.8 thousand QALYs by each annual cohort of pregnant women. Furthermore, annual screening is cost-effective (lower cost and higher QALY) compared with triennial screening. Sensitivity analysis shows that the findings are robust to parameter specifications.

Conclusions: Universal annual screening of womenwith a history of GDM is cost-effective for reducing diabetes complications compared with strategies with less frequent screening in Singapore.