The quality of three decision-analytic diabetes models: a systematic health economic assessment

Abstract

Aims: Diabetes mellitus has important economic impacts worldwide. Interventions to prevent diabetes-related complications are often analyzed using model-based cost–effectiveness analyses. As model results are usually influenced by structural assumptions and by the data used, decision-makers should be able to assess the quality of diabetes models. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of selected diabetes models and to determine if modeling recommendations by the American Diabetes Association are considered. Methods: The quality of three selected diabetes models (Archimedes Model, CDC Model and Center for Outcomes Research [CORE] Diabetes Model) was assessed using systematic methods. Results: This systematic approach to assess model quality proved to be feasible and highlighted two areas for improvement: the rationale for model structure and methods to identify parameter values, which should be presented more transparently. Conclusions: Overall, the need for a quality assessment of diabetes models is emphasized.

Keywords::

• cost analysis
• costs
• decision support techniques
• economic model
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to Ms Katharina Bär, who independently undertook the second quality assessment of the three selected models.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.