Biomedical Research

Introduction: Objective of the study was to estimate the cost of illness of uncomplicated versus complicated type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study also aimed to find out the trend of cost of illness of the disease over a decade.

Methodology: A prevalence based bottom-up approach study was carried out in two tertiary care hospitals after ethical approval. Data of annual laboratory, pharmacy, consultation, hospital bed, surgical costs of 238 diabetics in 2008 and 340 diabetic patients in 2017 respectively were obtained. Patients were divided in to six groups, uncomplicated and different complications of diabetes. Different costs incurred in 2008 and 2017 in these groups were compared, to study the trend of cost of illness using suitable statistical tests.

Results: Uncomplicated patients incurred significantly lower costs (P<0.0001) compared to other groups. Patients with IHD had highest medical expenses (P<0.0001), followed by DN and DF (P<0.0001). Cost incurred in management of DM in 2017 was found to be higher 1.4-2.7 times when compared to that in 2008.

Conclusion: It is evident from the study that the economic burden due to T2DM is substantial. It poses a significant financial burden on healthcare system, individual and society.

Author(s): Usha S Adiga, Sachidanada Adiga
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