On 22 August 2011, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) published the results of a literature search for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the treatment of people with diabetes mellitus type 1. The aim of the report is to identify those recommendations from current guidelines of high methodological quality that may be relevant for the planned revision of the corresponding disease management programme (DMP). According to the results of the report, there is no compelling need for revision of any part of the DMP. However, IQWiG identified various aspects that could be supplemented and specified.

Evidence was documented in detail

One of the responsibilities of IQWiG specified by law (Social Code Book V) is to develop and issue recommendations for DMPs. In the commission now completed, which was awarded by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), IQWiG systematically searched for new guidelines, assessed their methodological quality, and extracted relevant recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus type 1, its accompanying diseases and late complications, as well as on the cooperation of health care sectors. In addition, the Institute documented how highly the guideline authors graded the robustness of the recommendations. However, the sources of the recommendations were not examined again; this is where IQWiG’s guideline appraisals and benefit assessments differ.

No contradictions between the DMP and current recommendations

A total of 23 German and international guidelines containing recommendations on the treatment of diabetes type 1 were included. As the analysis showed, the recommendations in the guidelines are, by and large, consistent with the specifications of the DMP. No contradictions in content concerning the DMP requirements were found. The Director of IQWiG, Professor Dr med. Jürgen Windeler, stresses that “patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 can thus be sure that the current DMP is consistent with the current status of medical knowledge on all main points.”

Some potential additional recommendations identified for the DMP

However, in these guidelines recommendations were found on a total of 8 subject areas from which, after examination and discussion, the need may arise to update and supplement the German DMP for diabetes mellitus type 1.

For example, some guidelines recommend higher blood glucose levels (increase in HbA1C) in patients susceptible to hypoglycaemia, as well as dietary advice and therapy. Neither item has so far been included in the legal regulations on the DMP for diabetes mellitus type 1. Moreover, while the DMP currently mentions only the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, guidelines also include recommendations on the treatment of clinically relevant macula oedema. These three aspects of treatment could in future be additionally considered in the DMP.

It is the Institute’s responsibility, first of all to identify differences between guideline recommendations and the DMP. The Federal Joint Committee then examines whether these differences should actually lead to a revision of the DMP for diabetes mellitus type 1.

Procedure of report production

IQWiG published the preliminary results in the form of the preliminary report in November 2010 and interested parties were invited to submit comments. When the comments stage ended, the preliminary report was revised and sent as a final report to the contracting agency, the Federal Joint Committee, in June 2011. The written comments are published in a separate document at the same time as the final report. The report was produced in collaboration with external experts.

An overview of the background, methods and further results of the final report is provided in the following executive summary (PDF, 89 kB).

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