The cost-effectiveness of real-time continuous glucose monitoring versus intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring in individuals with insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Canada

Aim: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) supports glycemic control and reduces diabetes complications. CGM systems include intermittently scanned CGM (is-CGM) and real-time CGM (rt-CGM). While rt-CGM may provide better outcomes than is-CGM, it costs more upfront and its cost-effectiveness in Canada has not been established. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of rt-CGM versus is-CGM in people with insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from a Canadian healthcare payer perspective. Materials & methods: We used the ECHO-T2DM microsimulation model to estimate incremental lifetime health outcomes and costs of rt-CGM versus is-CGM. Clinical inputs came from an indirect treatment comparison; cost and utility data were drawn from published sources. Sensitivity analyses tested robustness. Results: Rt-CGM was more effective and less costly than is-CGM, yielding 0.346 additional quality-adjusted life-years and CAD 2237 in savings over 30 years. Benefits stemmed primarily from better glycemic control and fewer complications, reductions in glycemic events, and reduced fear of hypoglycemia. Although rt-CGM incurred CAD 3867 higher acquisition costs, these were more than offset by avoided complications. Deterministic analysis showed dominance in 14 of 18 scenarios, and cost-effectiveness in the remaining four. Uncertainty analysis showed rt-CGM had an ICER below CAD 50,000 in 98% of simulations. Discussion: Rt-CGM is potentially a cost-saving alternative to is-CGM among people with insulin-treated T2DM in Canada. This finding was strengthened by rigorous sensitivity analysis. Study strengths include use of a validated microsimulation model and adoption of conservative assumptions. Limitations include absence of head-to-head trial evidence and indirect use of time in and out of range. Conclusion: Rt-CGM is a potentially cost-saving option for managing insulin-treated T2DM in Canada, with implications for clinical practice and reimbursement policy.