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Cost-effectiveness of diabetic retinopathy screening programs using telemedicine: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT: Background:Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a significant global public health and economic burden. DR accounts for approximately 15-17% of all cases of total blindness in the USA and Europe. Telemedicine is a new intervention for DR screening, however, there is not enough evidence to support its cost-effectiveness. The aim of this study is to review the most recent published literature on economic evaluations of telemedicine in DR screening and summarize the evidence on the cost-effectiveness of this technology. Methods:A systematic search of PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar for relevant articles published between January 2010 and January 2020. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) recruited subjects with either type 1, type 2 diabetes (2) evaluated telemedicine technology (3) patients underwent primary screening for DR (4) compared a telemedicine-based intervention with standard care (5) performed an economic evaluation or provided sufficient data for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the technology used. Results:Of 2238 articles screened, seven studies were included. Four of the studies were conducted in developed countries: The United States, Singapore and two studies in Canada. Three studies were conducted in developing countries: India, Brazil and South Africa. The patient populations in all studies were diabetic patients over the age of 18, previously not screened for DR. All seven studies used a telemedicine program which included capturing a retinal image and subsequently transmitting it to an ocular imaging center to assess the severity of DR. All studies compared telemedicine to a standard screening method for DR, including the option of no screening as standard of care. Although telemedicine requires initial and maintenance costs, it has the potential to provide significant cost savings by increasing patients' working ability, increasing independent living ability, increasing quality of life and reducing travel costs. Conclusions:Diabetic retinopathy telemedicine technology has the potential to provide significant cost savings, especially in low-income populations and rural patients with high transportation costs.

SUBMITTER: Avidor D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7137317 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Cost-effectiveness of diabetic retinopathy screening programs using telemedicine: a systematic review.

Avidor Daniel D Loewenstein Anat A Waisbourd Michael M Nutman Amir A

Cost effectiveness and resource allocation : C/E 20200406

<h4>Background</h4>Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a significant global public health and economic burden. DR accounts for approximately 15-17% of all cases of total blindness in the USA and Europe. Telemedicine is a new intervention for DR screening, however, there is not enough evidence to support its cost-effectiveness. The aim of this study is to review the most recent published literature on economic evaluations of telemedicine in DR screening and summarize the evidence on the cost-effectivene ...[more]

PMID: 32280309

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Project description:BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss among adults in the USA. Vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with timely ophthalmologic care, and therefore, it is recommended that individuals with diabetes have annual retinal examinations. There is limited evidence on whether using telemedicine to screen for DR in primary care clinics in the USA effectively leads to increased DR screening rates. The objective of this systematic review is to collate evidence from existing studies to investigate the effectiveness of telemedicine DR screening (TDRS) in primary care clinics on DR screening rates.MethodsRelevant studies will be identified through searching MEDLINE/PubMed interface, Scopus, and Web of Science from their inception until November 2021, as well as searching reference lists of included studies and previous related review articles or systematic reviews. There will be no restrictions on study design. Eligible studies will include subjects with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, will evaluate telemedicine technology for screening of DR, will have been conducted in the USA, and will report DR screening rates or data necessary for calculating such rates. Two reviewers will screen search results independently. Risk-of-bias assessment and data extraction will be carried out by two reviewers. The version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2) and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) tool will be used to assess the quality and validity of individual studies. If feasible, we will conduct random-effects meta-analysis where appropriate. If possible, we will conduct subgroup analyses to explore potential heterogeneity sources (setting, socio-economic status, age, ethnicity, study design, outcomes). We will disseminate the findings through publications and relevant networks.DiscussionThis protocol outlines the methods for systematic review and synthesis of evidence of TDRS and its effect on DR screening rates. The results will be of interest to policy makers and program managers tasked with designing and implementing evidence-based services to prevent and manage diabetes and its complications in similar settings.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42021231067.

Project description:BackgroundCommunity-based telemedicine screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR) has been highly recommended worldwide. However, evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) on the choice between artificial intelligence (AI)-based and manual grading-based telemedicine screening is inadequate for policy making.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to test whether the AI model is more worthwhile than manual grading in community-based telemedicine screening for DR in the context of labor costs in urban China.MethodsWe conducted cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses by using decision-analytic Markov models with 30 one-year cycles from a societal perspective to compare the cost, effectiveness, and utility of 2 scenarios in telemedicine screening for DR: manual grading and an AI model. Sensitivity analyses were performed. Real-world data were obtained mainly from the Shanghai Digital Eye Disease Screening Program. The main outcomes were the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and the incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR). The ICUR thresholds were set as 1 and 3 times the local gross domestic product per capita.ResultsThe total expected costs for a 65-year-old resident were US $3182.50 and US $3265.40, while the total expected years without blindness were 9.80 years and 9.83 years, and the utilities were 6.748 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and 6.753 QALYs in the AI model and manual grading, respectively. The ICER for the AI-assisted model was US $2553.39 per year without blindness, and the ICUR was US $15,216.96 per QALY, which indicated that AI-assisted model was not cost-effective. The sensitivity analysis suggested that if there is an increase in compliance with referrals after the adoption of AI by 7.5%, an increase in on-site screening costs in manual grading by 50%, or a decrease in on-site screening costs in the AI model by 50%, then the AI model could be the dominant strategy.ConclusionsOur study may provide a reference for policy making in planning community-based telemedicine screening for DR in LMICs. Our findings indicate that unless the referral compliance of patients with suspected DR increases, the adoption of the AI model may not improve the value of telemedicine screening compared to that of manual grading in LMICs. The main reason is that in the context of the low labor costs in LMICs, the direct health care costs saved by replacing manual grading with AI are less, and the screening effectiveness (QALYs and years without blindness) decreases. Our study suggests that the magnitude of the value generated by this technology replacement depends primarily on 2 aspects. The first is the extent of direct health care costs reduced by AI, and the second is the change in health care service utilization caused by AI. Therefore, our research can also provide analytical ideas for other health care sectors in their decision to use AI.

Project description:Aims/hypothesisIn this study we examined the cost-effectiveness of three different screening strategies for diabetic retinopathy: using a personalised adaptive model, annual screening (fixed intervals), and the current Dutch guideline (stratified based on previous retinopathy grade).MethodsFor each individual, optimal diabetic retinopathy screening intervals were determined, using a validated risk prediction model. Observational data (1998-2017) from the Hoorn Diabetes Care System cohort of people with type 2 diabetes were used (n = 5514). The missing values of retinopathy grades were imputed using two scenarios of slow and fast sight-threatening retinopathy (STR) progression. By comparing the model-based screening intervals to observed time to develop STR, the number of delayed STR diagnoses was determined. Costs were calculated using the healthcare perspective and the societal perspective. Finally, outcomes and costs were compared for the different screening strategies.ResultsFor the fast STR progression scenario, personalised screening resulted in 11.6% more delayed STR diagnoses and €11.4 less costs per patient compared to annual screening from a healthcare perspective. The personalised screening model performed better in terms of timely diagnosis of STR (8.8% less delayed STR diagnosis) but it was slightly more expensive (€1.8 per patient from a healthcare perspective) than the Dutch guideline strategy.Conclusions/interpretationThe personalised diabetic retinopathy screening model is more cost-effective than the Dutch guideline screening strategy. Although the personalised screening strategy was less effective, in terms of timely diagnosis of STR patients, than annual screening, the number of delayed STR diagnoses is low and the cost saving is considerable. With around one million people with type 2 diabetes in the Netherlands, implementing this personalised model could save €11.4 million per year compared with annual screening, at the cost of 658 delayed STR diagnoses with a maximum delayed time to diagnosis of 48 months.

Project description:BackgroundRetinopathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that if detected early by regular retinal examinations can be treated; thus, blindness can be delayed or prevented. Providing high-quality retinal screening is difficult, especially in rural and remote areas. Canada's First Nations population has a higher prevalence of diabetes and is, in general, more geographically isolated than the broader Canadian population. We modelled the cost-effectiveness of retinopathy screening by travelling retina specialists versus retinal photography with a portable digital camera in an isolated First Nations cohort with diabetes.MethodsThe 2 screening programs were modelled to run concurrently for 5 years, with outcomes evaluated over 10 years. To construct economic models for the population of Cree individuals living in the western James Bay area of northern Ontario, we used available data on the prevalence of diabetes in the area and estimates of the incidence of retinopathy derived from the published literature. We compared the screening models and calculated total costs, visual outcome, costs per sight-year saved and costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). We also estimated the costs of implementing a screening program for all First Nations individuals in Ontario with diabetes and no access to an ophthalmologist.ResultsFrom the perspective of the health care system the camera program was preferable to the specialist-based program. Over 10 years, 67 v. 56 sight years were saved, compared with no screening, at costs of 3900 Canadian dollars v. 9800 Canadian dollars per sight year and 15,000 Canadian dollars v. 37,000 Canadian dollars per QALY. Generalizing these results to the province of Ontario, the camera system could allow most isolated First Nations people with diabetes to be screened for 5 years for approximately 1.2 million Canadian dollars.InterpretationA portable retinal camera is a cost-effective means of screening for diabetic retinopathy in isolated communities of at-risk individuals.

Project description:ImportanceMinimal information exists regarding the long-term comparative effectiveness of telemedicine to provide diabetic retinopathy screening examinations.ObjectiveTo compare telemedicine to traditional eye examinations in their ability to provide diabetic retinopathy screening examinations.Design, setting, and participantsFrom August 1, 2006, through September 31, 2009, 567 participants with diabetes were randomized and followed up to 5 years of follow-up (last date of patient follow-up occurred on August 6, 2012) as part of a multicenter randomized clinical trial with an intent to treat analysis. We assigned participants to telemedicine with a nonmydriatic camera in a primary care medical clinic (n = 296) or traditional surveillance with an eye care professional (n = 271). Two years after enrollment, we offered telemedicine to all participants.Main outcomes and measuresPercentage of participants receiving annual diabetic retinopathy screening examinations, percentage of eyes with worsening diabetic retinopathy during the follow-up period using a validated scale from stage 0 (none) to stage 4 (proliferative diabetic retinopathy), and percentage of telemedicine participants who would require referral to an eye care professional for follow-up care using a cutoff of moderate diabetic retinopathy or worse, the presence of macular edema, or an unable-to-determine result for retinopathy or macular edema.ResultsThe telemedicine group was more likely to receive a diabetic retinopathy screening examination when compared with the traditional surveillance group during the 6-month or less (94.6% [280/296] vs 43.9% [119/271]; 95% CI, 46.6%-54.8%; P < .001) and greater than 6-month through 18-month (53.0% [157/296] vs 33.2% [90/271]; 95% CI, 16.5%-23.1%; P < .001) time bins. After we offered telemedicine to both groups, we could not identify a difference between the groups in the percentage of diabetic retinopathy screening examinations. Diabetic retinopathy worsened by 2 stages or more in 35 (8.6%) of 409 participants (95% CI, 5.8%-11.2%) and improved by 2 stages or more in 5 (1.2%) of 409 participants (95% CI, 0.1%-2.3%) during the 4-year period. The percent of telemedicine participants requiring referral ranged from 19.2% (52/271) to 27.9% (58/208).Conclusions and relevanceTelemedicine increased the percentage of diabetic retinopathy screening examinations, most participants did not require referral to an eye care professional, and diabetic retinopathy levels were generally stable during the study period. This finding suggests that primary care clinics can use telemedicine to screen for diabetic retinopathy and monitor for disease worsening over a long period.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01364129.

Project description:BackgroundDiabetic eye complications are the leading cause of visual loss among working-aged people. Pharmacy-based teleophthalmology has emerged as a possible alternative to in-person examination that may facilitate compliance with evidence-based recommendations and reduce barriers to specialized eye care. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of mobile teleophthalmology screening compared with in-person examination (primary care) for the diabetic population residing in semiurban areas of southwestern Ontario.MethodsA decision tree was constructed to compare in-person examination (comparator program) versus pharmacy-based teleophthalmology (intervention program). The economic model was designed to identify patients with more than minimal diabetic retinopathy, manifested by at least 1 microaneurysm at examination (modified Airlie House classification grade of ≥ 20). Cost-effectiveness was assessed as cost per case detected (true-positive result) and cost per case correctly diagnosed (including true-positive and true-negative results).ResultsThe cost per case detected was $510 with in-person examination and $478 with teleophthalmology, and the cost per case correctly diagnosed was $107 and $102 respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $314 per additional case detected and $73 per additional case correctly diagnosed. Use of pharmacologic dilation and health care specialists' fees were the most important cost drivers.InterpretationThe study showed that a compound teleophthalmology program in a semiurban community would be more effective but more costly than in-person examination. The findings raise the question of whether the benefits of pharmacy-based teleophthalmology in semiurban areas, where in-person examination is still available, are equivalent to those observed in remote communities. Further study is needed to investigate the impact of this program on the prevention of severe vision loss and quality of life in a semiurban setting.

Project description:ImportanceScreening for diabetic retinopathy is recommended for children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), yet screening rates remain low. Point-of-care diabetic retinopathy screening using autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) has become available, providing immediate results in the clinic setting, but the cost-effectiveness of this strategy compared with standard examination is unknown.ObjectiveTo assess the cost-effectiveness of detecting and treating diabetic retinopathy and its sequelae among children with T1D and T2D using AI diabetic retinopathy screening vs standard screening by an eye care professional (ECP).Design, setting, and participantsIn this economic evaluation, parameter estimates were obtained from the literature from 1994 to 2019 and assessed from March 2019 to January 2020. Parameters included out-of-pocket cost for autonomous AI screening, ophthalmology visits, and treating diabetic retinopathy; probability of undergoing standard retinal examination; relative odds of undergoing screening; and sensitivity, specificity, and diagnosability of the ECP screening examination and autonomous AI screening.Main outcomes and measuresCosts or savings to the patient based on mean patient payment for diabetic retinopathy screening examination and cost-effectiveness based on costs or savings associated with the number of true-positive results identified by diabetic retinopathy screening.ResultsIn this study, the expected true-positive proportions for standard ophthalmologic screening by an ECP were 0.006 for T1D and 0.01 for T2D, and the expected true-positive proportions for autonomous AI were 0.03 for T1D and 0.04 for T2D. The base case scenario of 20% adherence estimated that use of autonomous AI would result in a higher mean patient payment ($8.52 for T1D and $10.85 for T2D) than conventional ECP screening ($7.91 for T1D and $8.20 for T2D). However, autonomous AI screening was the preferred strategy when at least 23% of patients adhered to diabetic retinopathy screening.Conclusions and relevanceThese results suggest that point-of-care diabetic retinopathy screening using autonomous AI systems is effective and cost saving for children with diabetes and their caregivers at recommended adherence rates.

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Cost-effectiveness of diabetic retinopathy screening programs using telemedicine: a systematic review.

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Cost-effectiveness of diabetic retinopathy screening programs using telemedicine: a systematic review.

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