Journal List > Korean Diabetes J > v.32(4) > 1002238

Chun, Lee, Kim, Kim, Paek, and Lee: An Analysis of Medical Costs of Diabetic Patients in a University Hospital (1996~2005)

Abstract

Background

The aim of this research was to find out the costs of diabetes, as research in a prospective cohort study looking into the development of diabetic complications followed by treatment intervention by a medical institution. The research compared the changes in medical costs by following-up on the treatment details of diagnosed diabetes for the last 10 years in a university hospital.

Methods

The research used data of outpatient, inpatient, pharmaceutical and total medical costs, from 1996 to 2005, of individual patients who were diagnosed with diabetic patients, to analyze the outpatient and inpatient total medical cost changes over the years.

Results

After antidiabetic drug, in the case of outpatient treatment, pharmaceutical costs increased on average by about 25,000 won a month for diabetic patients without complications and by 35,000 won for diabetic patients with microvascular complications. Outpatient medical costs were affected after drug treatment by as much of an increase as created by the pharmaceutical costs. The total medical costs, that is the sum of inpatient and outpatient costs, decreased by 30~40% compared to that before drug treatment. In the case of total medical cost, MI or ESRD cost 2~3 times more in pharmaceutical costs than before the development of complications. The total medical costs of diabetic patients with CVA, MI and ESRD complications increased in the first year after development of the complication, and this was followed by a decrease in the next year, showing a tendency to remain constant with no increase or decrease over subsequent years. This means that the total medical costs of patients with complications remain continuously large throughout the life of the diagnosed patient.

Conclusion

For diabetic patients, pharmaceutical costs are the most important factor in determining outpatient medical costs.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Annual trend of pre-medication and post-medication in diabetic patients without complications whose annual compliance rate was more than 75%. A. Outpatient pharmaceutical costs. B. Outpatient medical costs. C. Total medical costs.
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Fig. 2
Annual trend of pre-medication and post-medication in diabetic patients with microvascular complications whose annual compliance rate was more than 75%. A. Outpatient pharmaceutical costs. B. Outpatient medical costs. C. Total medical costs.
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Fig. 3
Annual trend of pre-medication and post-medication in diabetic patients with CVA, MI and ESRD whose annual compliance rate was more than 75%, A. Outpatient pharmaceutical costs. B. Outpatient medical costs. C. Total medical costs.
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Table 1
Classification of diabetic complication
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MI, myocardial infarction; CVA, cerebrovascular accident; ESRD, end stage renal disease.

Table 2
Characteristics of study population
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Table 3
Comparison of monthly average medical costs in pre-medication and post-medication in diabetics without complications (Unit: Won)
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ADCR, annual antidiabetic drug compliance rate.

Table 4
Comparison of monthly average medical costs in pre-medication and post-medication in diabetic patients with microvascular complications (Unit: Won)
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ADCR, annual antidiabetic drug compliance rate.

Table 5
Comparison of monthly average medical costs in pre-medication and post-medication in diabetic patients without CVD, MI and ESRD (Unit: Won)
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ADCR, annual antidiabetic drug compliance rate; CVA, cerebrovascular accident; ESRD, end stage renal disease; MI, myocardial infarction.

Table 6
Comparison of monthly average medical costs in pre-medication and post-medication in diabetic patients with CVD, MI and ESRD (Unit: Won)
kdj-32-366-i006

ADCR, annual antidiabetic drug compliance rate; CVA, cerebrovascular accident; ESRD, endstage renal disease; MI, myocardial infarction.

Notes

This study was supported by a grant of the Korean Health 21 R&D Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (A050463).

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