DOI: njcpt.com.ng/101.1.2.26
Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing epidemic with a parallel economic impact on health and society. If not diagnosed early, there is a high chance of the development of complications which are expensive to manage. It has become necessary, therefore, to assess the burden this disease poses.
Objectives: This study assessed the direct medical costs (antidiabetic drugs, antihypertensive/antilipidemic drugs and costs of diabetes-related tests) and direct non-medical costs (cost of transportation to and from the health facility) of type 2 diabetes outpatient care in a tertiary health institution in North Central Nigeria.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional retrospective study conducted at the Outpatient Department of Plateau State Specialist Hospital in Jos from January 2018 to October 2018. A total of 400 conveniently selected patients with Type 2 Diabetes attending the Diabetic Clinic were interviewed, and their medical records were reviewed. A pretested data collection form was developed and used. Patient demographics, complications/current illness, diagnostic/monitoring tests, fasting blood sugar, glycosylated haemoglobin and blood pressure were recorded in addition to prescribed drugs and dosage forms.
Results: The annual mean direct medical cost for outpatient care for a person with type 2 diabetes mellitus was N69, 709.131 (US $199.17), out of which oral hypoglycemic medications accounted for the largest proportion of the direct medical cost 370(55.37%), followed by the cost of antihypertensive/antilipidemic medications 383(21.47%), and then followed by the cost of diabetes-related tests 402(12.54%). Hypertension and dyslipidemia as co-morbidities added an additional N19,092.96 (US $54.55). The mean direct non-medical cost was N4,404.369 (US $12.58), attributable to the cost of transportation to and from the clinic. The probable annual national direct cost of illness for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients was N570 billion naira (US $1.6 billion).
Conclusion: Outpatient diabetes management leads to increased/additional costs to the patient. Costs increased along with the presence of co-morbidities. There is, therefore, a need to focus on primary prevention of diabetes, its co-morbidities and complications.
Keywords: Cost, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, direct cost, medical cost, non-medical cost