Resumo:
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common non-communicable
diseases worldwide and is associated with a substantial increase in the healthcare burden due
to high rates of morbidity, mortality, and long-term complications. Evidence on the economic
impact of quality of care for diabetes management, based on structured assessment indicators,
in real-world primary care settings is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the
cost-effectiveness of providing qualified care to individuals with diabetes in primary
healthcare settings, based on quality-of-care indicators. Methods: Quality indicators were
defined in the categories of medical and family history, behavioral factors, pharmacotherapy
and vaccination, use of technology, physical examination and laboratory evaluation. A
cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a Markov-based model from the perspective
of a municipal health manager in Brazil. Data were collected from 114 patients aged 60 years
or older with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Vitória da Conquista. Patients were grouped based on
whether 15 or more structured quality-of-care indicators were assessed during follow-up
visits. The model simulated health state transitions over a 10-year time horizon, incorporating
probabilities of complications, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and direct costs.
Sensitivity and probabilistic analyses were performed to test model robustness. Results: It
was found that in the group with 15 or more items assessed at visits, 17.4% had
complications, and in the group with fewer than 15 items assessed, this percentage was
37.14%. Therefore, they were used as comparators in the economic model. The
cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the most comprehensive assessment was the dominant
strategy, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of -US$9742.51. The factors that most
influenced the model were quality-adjusted life years, the probability of experiencing
complications, and the cost of diabetes. Conclusion: Qualified care with a comprehensive
approach during follow-up visits was shown to be a cost-effective strategy for improving the
quality of life of people with DM.
