The cost of major comorbidity in people with diabetes mellitus

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Scot H Simpson1, Paula Corabian, Philip Jacobs

  • 1Institute of Health Economics, Edmonton, Alta.

CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal De L'Association Medicale Canadienne
|June 25, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Diabetes complications significantly increase healthcare costs in Canada. Managing comorbidities like cardiovascular, renal, and ophthalmic issues is crucial for reducing the economic burden of diabetes mellitus.

Area of Science:

  • Health Economics
  • Public Health
  • Diabetes Management

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular, renal, and ophthalmic comorbidities.
  • Limited data exists on the economic impact of diabetes and its complications within the Canadian healthcare system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate healthcare expenditures for diabetes and its major complications in Saskatchewan.
  • To analyze the cost distribution across cardiovascular, renal, and ophthalmic services.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Saskatchewan Health administrative databases from 1996 to identify individuals with diabetes.
  • Categorized healthcare utilization and expenditures (prescription drugs, physician services, hospitalizations, dialysis) by comorbidity type.

Main Results:

  • In 1996, an estimated $134.3 million was spent on diabetes-related care and complications in Saskatchewan.
  • Cardiovascular services accounted for the largest portion ($35.5 million), followed by renal ($10 million) and ophthalmic ($3.3 million) services.
  • Registered Indigenous individuals showed different comorbidity patterns, with fewer cardiovascular and more renal-related records.

Conclusions:

  • Approximately 36.4% of diabetes-related healthcare expenditures were attributed to major comorbidities in 1996.
  • Implementing strategies to prevent or manage these comorbidities can lead to substantial cost savings for the healthcare system.
Abstract

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