The cost of universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in Ireland

Abstract

Aims: To estimate the costs associated with universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in Ireland.

Methods: Bottom-up, prevalence-based cost analysis. Healthcare activity identified using the Atlantic Diabetes in Pregnancy (ATLANTIC DIP) database was grouped into five categories: screening and testing, gestational diabetes treatment, prenatal care, delivery care and neonatal care. A vector of unit cost data (euros in 2008 prices) was applied to specified resource use and the total healthcare cost calculated. A series of one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were undertaken to explore the uncertainty in the analysis.

Results: When individual resource components were valued and aggregated, the total healthcare cost of gestational diabetes in Ireland was estimated at €12 433 320 (95% CI €9 298 228-16 778 193). The average cost per case detected was €1621 (95% CI €524-2603) and the average total cost per case detected and treated was €11 903 (95% CI €7645-16 121).

Conclusions: This research provides the first estimates of the healthcare costs associated with gestational diabetes mellitus in Ireland. Further research is required to determine the cost-effectiveness of gestational diabetes screening in the region with a view to improving resource allocation in this area in the future.