Utilities for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment-Related Attributes in a South Korean and Taiwanese Population

To elicit utilities associated with type 2 diabetes medication-related attributes from South Korean and Taiwanese populations and to identify key drivers of preferences.

Data from 59 respondents from the general population in South Korea and Taiwan were analyzed. Respondents' preferences were elicited using a paper-based standard gamble questionnaire. Health states were designed to identify the utility or disutility of type 2 diabetes medication-related attributes, including dose frequency, nausea/vomiting (hereafter referred to as nausea), and weight change.

The mean utility for the basic health state (encompassing current body weight and no nausea) was 0.754 ± 0.155 with weekly dose administration. Respondents showed a preference for weekly over daily administration (average increase in utility of 0.043 across all health states with weekly, vs. daily, administration). Nausea was associated with a decrease in utility (average decrease of -0.034 across all health states with, vs. without, nausea). Weight gain had little effect on utility (average decrease of 0.000 and 0.001 across all health states with, vs. without, 3% and 5% gain, respectively), although weight loss was associated with a small increase in utility (average increase of 0.028 and 0.029 across all health states with, vs. without, 3% and 5% loss, respectively).

Utilities associated with type 2 diabetes medication-related attributes were elicited from a general population sample from South Korea and Taiwan. Treatment-related attributes, in particular dose frequency and nausea, had a measurable effect on utility and should be considered when selecting treatment regimens for South Korean or Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes.