Cost of diabetes care in out-patient clinics of Karachi, Pakistan

• Main Authors: Khuwaja Ali K (Author), Khowaja Liaquat A (Author), Cosgrove Peter (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2007-11-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/1472-6963-7-189; 1472-6963
• Keywords: Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: BMC Health Services Research, Vol 7, Iss 1, p 189 (2007)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a growing epidemic and the cost of treating diabetes is largely increasing. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-of-illness of DM among attendees of out-patient clinics in Karachi, Pakistan. This is the first study conducted from a societal perspective to estimate the cost of managing diabetes in Pakistan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prevalence-based 'Cost-of-Illness' study for diabetes care was conducted in six different out-patient clinics of Karachi, Pakistan from July to September 2006. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to collect the data from 345 randomly selected persons with diabetes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The annual mean direct cost for each person with diabetes was estimated to be Pakistani rupees 11,580 (US$ 197). Medicines accounted for the largest share of direct cost (46%), followed by laboratory investigations (32%). We found that increased age, the number of complications and longer duration of the disease significantly increase the burden of cost on society (p < 0.001). Comparing cost with family income it was found that the poorest segment of society is spending 18% of total family income on diabetes care.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study concluded that substantial expenditure is incurred by people with diabetes; with the implication that resources could be saved by prevention, earlier detection and a reduction in diabetes co-morbidities and complications through improved diabetes care. Large scale and cost-effective prevention programs need to be initiated to maximise health gains and to reverse the advance of this epidemic.</p>