Iranian Journal of

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Background: Estimation of cost effectiveness and cost benefit are intrinsic to the design and evaluation of healthcare systems. The aim of most studies of gestational diabetes screening has been to modulate screening parameters to reduce the eligible population and therefore costs. We analysed the findings of a cross-sectional study of gestational diabetes mellitus carried out in Tehran to determine the screening method best suited to the socio-economic profile of our population.
Methods: 2416 pregnant women were universally screened in Tehran teaching hospitals. Each patient’s risk factors and laboratory results were recorded. The 50gGCT was used to screen and the 100gOGTT to confirm a diagnosis of GDM.
Results: Switching from the 130mg/dl to the 140mg/dl threshold, case-detection sensitivity declined by 12% (to 88%), with the per-pregnancy cost dropping from 30,410 to 25,641 Rials (from US$3.80 to 3.20) [-15.6%], and the cost per detected case from 644,488 to 619,500 Rials (from US$80.56 to 77.43) [-3.87%].
Conclusion: We recommend adoption of the universal screening approach in Iran for 4 reasons: (1) The high prevalence of gestational diabetes in the low-risk group (2) The poor level of healthcare provided in Iran compared with societies that have opted for the selective approach (3) The lower cost of screening and diagnostic tests in Iran compared with the aforementioned and (4) The high cost of treating the complications of diabetes.

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Background: Diabetic patients need to be followed for glycemic index regularly and HbA1c test is one of the most important biochemical markers for patient monitoring.  HbA1c should be standardized based on international standards, but using internationally accepted assays are expensive. This study aimed to evaluate cost effectiveness of different assays which are currently used in Iran.

Methods: In this economic evaluation study, five HbA1c assays (Pars Azmoon, NycoCard, DS5, Biosystems and CERA STAT 2000) have been evaluated for cost, sensitivity and specificity, true score and also incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Tosoh G8 has been considered as reference method.

Results: Although none of the assays can be a good alternative for reference method, DS5 and pars azmoon had better cost effectiveness results compared to other assays.

Conclusion: The quality of HbA1c assays need to be improved by using real tariff or the establishment of referral labs.