Humanistic and economic burden of cardiovascular disease related comorbidities and hypoglycaemia among patients with type 2 diabetes in Japan

Abstract Aim This study aims to examine the humanistic and economic burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related comorbidities and hypoglycaemia among respondents with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Japan. Methods This study used the Japan National Health and Wellness Survey 2016 database. Respondents who self-reported a physician-diagnosed T2D were included. Respondents with or without the condition of interest (CVD-related comorbidities or hypoglycaemia) were compared via generalized linear models in terms of the outcome variables: (1) health-related quality of life (HRQoL), (2) work productivity and activity impairment, (3) healthcare resource utilization and (4) economic costs. Results A total of 1478 survey respondents reported a diagnosis of T2D (mean age 63.6 ± 10.6 years, mean HbA1c 6.91 ± 1.1%). Of whom, 804 subjects (54.4%) had at least one CVD related comorbidities, and 369 subjects (29.3%) reported experiences of hypoglycaemia episodes. Patients with CVD-related comorbidities or hypoglycaemia episodes had worse HRQoL, more work and activity impairment, increased health care visits, and higher costs. Conclusions CVD related comorbidities and hypoglycaemia remains a significant humanistic and economic burden in patients with T2D. The findings suggested that appropriate T2D management with proper medication choice are important to control CVD related comorbidities and hypoglycaemia among T2D patients to alleviate the burden.