The objective of the study was to compare three different questionnaires (Short Form (SF)-6D, EuroQuol (EQ)-5D and WHO-5) to establish which one is more sensitive and which one gives an adequate assessment of the quality of life in patients with diabetes.In an observational and transversal study with duration of 4 months, in 5 Bulgarian cities, 146 patients were randomly selected. The following quality-of-life measuring instruments were applied: 146 questionnaires SF-6D, 146 questionnaires EQ-5D and 103 questionnaires of WHO-5. Descriptive statistics, chi-Square and correlation coefficients were used for data analysis. The study assessed the quality of life of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus with a mean age of 57.39 years (standard deviation (SD) 17.087); 95% confidence interval (CI) 54.60–60.19; 76% of the patients had diabetes type 2. The patients received a mean SF-6D score of 0.6290, an EQ-5D score of 0.6272, a visual analogue scale score of 0.7158 and a WHO-5 score of 0.4635. Preferences measured by the SF-6D and by the EQ-5D showed significant correlations with one another, and the Pearson coefficient was r = 0.906 (p < 0.01). The most current version of SF-6D, based on the 2002 model, was found to be valid and reliable when compared to the EQ-5D and is a questionnaire alternative to assess preferences in economic analysis carried out in health care.

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to assess the cost of using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion to treat children with type-1diabetes in Bulgaria, considering changes in body mass index (BMI) and the glycated hemoglobin. The study was performed from the perspective of the Bulgarian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and patients.MethodsA total of 34 pediatric type-1-diabetes patients were observed for 7 months, divided into 2 groups – on pumps and on insulin analogue therapy. Patient demographic data, BMI and glycated hemoglobin level were obtained and recorded. The cost of insulin, pumps, and consumables were calculated and compared with changes in glycated hemoglobin level. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was below the threshold value of gross domestic product per capita.ResultsThe results were sensitive to changes in glycated hemoglobin level. Improvements associated with glycemic control led to a reduced glycated hemoglobin level that could ensure good diabetes management, but its influence on BMI in growing children remains unclear.ConclusionContinuous subcutaneous insulin infusion appears to be more cost-effective for the Bulgarian pediatric population and health care system.

The aim of this study is to assess long-term metabolic outcomes in children with diabetes mellitus and to compare the efficacy, feasibility and metabolic control expenses for treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), compared to human insulin treatment. The study sample included 34 children aged 3 to 18 years with type 1 diabetes, 17 with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy and 17 with standard treatment with human insulin. The study observed for the following variables: duration of the disease, diabetic control, HbA1c deviation scores; height and weight deviation and price of the treatment. Methods applied include meta-analyses in the published medical literature, pharmacoeconomic analysis and statistical analysis. From the 34 children with diabetes type 1 observed retrospectively during the period 1999-2012, 17 were on CSII (mean age 10 years, mean duration of the disease-7 years, average usage of CSII-3 years). The test stripes cost 533 Euro/year (1100 stripes per year) and their average cost according to the duration of the disease is 3779.45 Euro since diagnosis. The blood glucose monitoring system costs 20 Euro and for the duration of the disease-4.96 Euro per patient per year. The average improvement of HbA(1c) after the CSII introduction is 1.85, while after the application of human insulin-0.28. The treatment with CSII leads to significant improvement in glycemic control compared to the treatment with human insulin. The reduced HbA(1c) shows good diabetes management, from one point of view, and good quality of life-from another.

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