Nurse-Led Telephone Program for Nonadherent to Treatment Type 2 Diabetics With Comorbid Depression:ACost-Consequence and Budget Impact Analysis

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the e5ciency of a nurse-led telephone program for nonadherent to treatment Type 2 diabetics with comorbid depression (TELE-DD program). Design: Secondary analysis of cost-consequence and budget impact, utilizing data from a randomized clinical trial conducted in the primary healthcare setting. 1e target population consisted of Type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid depression who were nonadherent to their pharmacological treatment. Method: 1e average cost per controlled patient (glycated hemoglobin < 7%) and the incremental cost-e<ectiveness ratio were calculated. Similarly, the budgetary impact over 1 year of implementing this program in the region of reference of the randomized clinical trial was assessed. Results: 1e number of controlled patients is higher in the TELE-DD group at 6, 12, and 18 months. 1e average cost per controlled patient was higher in the TELE-DD group than in the control group at 6 months (€160.31 vs. €49.79), but lower at 12 (€150.09 vs. €179.59) and 18 months (€209.22 vs. €376.88). 1e incremental cost-e<ectiveness ratio at 6, 12, and 18 months was €254.47, €143.65, and €177.46, respectively. 1e budget impact analysis revealed that implementing the TELE-DD program would result in a reduction of €721,940.68 in expenditure for the funder in the Brst year of application. Conclusions: A nurse-led telephone program for nonadherent Type 2 diabetics with comorbid depression is an e5cient option in the management of healthcare resources. 1ese results highlight the role of nursing in chronic patient management and the e5cient use of healthcare resources.