Related Experiment Videos
Drug consumption in elderly diabetics
1Department of Medicine, Fredericia Hospital, Denmark.
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
|November 6, 1989
Summary
Elderly individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) use significantly more medications than non-diabetic individuals, incurring higher healthcare costs. Prevention of NIDDM is crucial to reduce the burden of complications.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Elderly individuals with diabetes mellitus often exhibit increased morbidity.
- Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is prevalent in older populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare drug utilization and associated costs between elderly diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.
- To assess the impact of diabetes on medication use and healthcare expenditure in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 228 diabetic and matched non-diabetic individuals aged 60-74 years from a Danish population.
- Drug use data collected via questionnaires and interviews, including prescribed and non-prescribed medications.
- Glucagon-C-peptide test used to confirm NIDDM in 90% of diabetic participants.
Main Results:
- Over 80% of diabetics used drugs daily versus 55% of controls (P < 0.00001).
- Diabetics consumed 70% more defined daily doses (DDD) than controls, excluding antidiabetics.
- Cardiovascular drugs were most common; diabetics used significantly more than non-diabetics.
- Drug therapy costs were 2.5 times higher for diabetics.
Conclusions:
- Elderly diabetics exhibit significantly higher drug consumption and healthcare costs compared to their non-diabetic counterparts.
- Increased morbidity in elderly diabetics necessitates a focus on NIDDM prevention over complication management.
- Resource allocation towards NIDDM prevention is essential for reducing the economic and health burden in the elderly.