Aim: The present study was undertaken to assess the cost-effectiveness of good glycemic
control in a population of Bangladeshi people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 496 registered patients with
>1 year duration of diabetes. Glycated hemoglobin A1c level <7% was judged as the
cut-off value for good glycemic control. All treatment-related records from the last year
were collected from patients’ guide books and all cost components were calculated.
Results: Among patients, 31% had good glycemic control. The average annual cost was US$
314 per patient. Patients with poor glycemic control were significantly more likely to have
complications [(p = 0.049) OR 1.5] and comorbidities [(p = 0.02) OR 1.5]. The annual cost
increased rapidly with complications/comorbidities. In multivariable logistic regression
analysis, gender (p = 0.003) and cost of care (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with
glycemic control, and the presence of any comorbidities/complications was associated
with 1.8-fold higher odds of poor glycemic control (p = 0.013 95% CI: 1.131–2.786).
Conclusion: Good glycemic control can lead to substantial cost saving through prevention
and control of complications.
