Grover S, Avasthi A, Bhansali A, Chakrabarti S, Kulhara P
Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Postgrad Med J. 2005 Jun;81(956):391-5. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.2004.024299.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and potentially disabling disease that represents an important public health and clinical concern because of the economic burden it imposes on the person, family, and society. Despite this, data regarding cost of care of diabetes mellitus from developing countries are scarce. This study aimed to assess the cost of care of Indian patients with diabetes mellitus.
Cost of illness in 50 outpatients with diabetes mellitus (diagnosed according to WHO criteria, Expert Committee, 1997) was assessed over a six month period using a specially designed questionnaire, together with structured assessments of disability.
Total annual cost of care was 14 508 rupees (263.78 euros). The largest proportion of the total cost was made up of direct costs (68%), followed by indirect costs (28.76%) and provider's costs (2.8%). Drug costs were high. Total treatment cost was significantly higher in those who were more educated, those who visited the hospital more often, and those receiving a greater number of drugs.
From this study it can be concluded that diabetes mellitus is an expensive illness to treat even in developing countries. The main brunt of financial burden is borne by the family. Any efforts at cost reduction should, therefore, have the family as its focus, and relieving the family of this financial burden needs to be prioritised.
糖尿病是一种慢性且可能导致残疾的疾病，因其给个人、家庭和社会带来经济负担，故而成为重要的公共卫生和临床关注点。尽管如此，来自发展中国家的糖尿病护理成本数据却很匮乏。本研究旨在评估印度糖尿病患者的护理成本。
使用一份专门设计的问卷，对50名糖尿病门诊患者（根据世界卫生组织标准，专家委员会，1997年诊断）在六个月期间的疾病成本进行评估，并对残疾情况进行结构化评估。
每年的护理总成本为14508卢比（263.78欧元）。总成本中最大的部分由直接成本构成（68%），其次是间接成本（28.76%）和提供者成本（2.8%）。药物成本很高。在受教育程度较高、更频繁就医以及服用更多药物的患者中，总治疗成本显著更高。
从本研究可以得出结论，即使在发展中国家，糖尿病也是一种治疗成本高昂的疾病。经济负担的主要冲击由家庭承担。因此，任何降低成本的努力都应以家庭为重点，减轻家庭的这一经济负担需要被优先考虑。
