Cost-effectiveness analysis of dapagliflozin for people with chronic kidney disease in Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern which results in significant economic burden. Despite this, treatment options are limited. Recently, dapagliflozin has been reported have benefits in people with CKD. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin as an add-on to standard of care (SoC) in people with CKD in Malaysia.

METHODS: A Markov model was adapted to estimate the economic and clinical benefits of dapagliflozin in people with Stage 2 to 5 CKD. The cost-effectiveness was performed based upon data from the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease (DAPA-CKD) trial supplemented with local costs and utility data whenever possible.

RESULTS: In Malaysia, dapagliflozin in combination with SoC was the dominant intervention compared to SoC alone (RM 81,814 versus RM 85,464; USD19,762 vs USD20,644). Adding dapagliflozin to SoC in people with CKD increased life expectancy by 0.46 years and increased quality-adjusted life years (QALY) by 0.41 in comparison with SoC alone (10.01 vs. 9.55 years, 8.76 vs. 8.35 QALYs). This translates to a saving of RM8,894 (USD2,148) with every QALY gained. The benefits were due to the delay in CKD progression, resulting in lower costs of dialysis and renal transplantation. Results were robust to variations in assumptions over disease management costs as well as subgroup of population that would be treated and below the accepted willingness-to-pay thresholds of RM 46,000/QALY.

CONCLUSION: The use of dapagliflozin was projected to improved life expectancy and quality of life among people with CKD, with a saving RM8,894 (USD2,148) for every quality-adjusted life-year gained and RM7,898 (USD1,908) saving for every life year gained.