Impact on variables of severe hypoglycaemia and healthcare costs of the use of the FreeStyle system in paediatric population with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Analysis of the impact on severe hypoglycaemia and direct costs of the introduction of the FreeStyle Libre sensor in paediatric population with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Material and methods: Ambispective single-centre study to assess the impact on severe hypoglycaemia and direct costs, focusing on consumption of materials, in paediatric population with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus before and after introduction of the FreeStyle Libre 1 sensor.

Results: A significant decrease was found in episodes of severe hypoglycaemia, with 4.2 episodes of severe hypoglycaemia per 100 patients under follow-up versus 0.25 episodes per 100 patients a year after introduction of the system. This represents a cost difference for severe hypoglycaemia, estimated at €6559.52 before introduction and €409.97 after introduction of the FreeStyle Libre sensor. We found a decrease in the daily consumption of capillary blood glucose strips, which translates as a decrease in the cost of materials and helps mitigate the cost of the sensor. The cost in materials for the patient with FreeStyle Libre was €185.13 per patient and year higher than conventional control with capillary blood glucose strips.

Keywords: Costes directos; Diabetes mellitus tipo 1; Direct cost; Hipoglucemia grave; Paediatric population; Pediatría; Severe hypoglycaemia; Type 1 diabetes mellitus.