Costs of type 2 Diabetes in Isfahan - Iran in 1998

Diabetes is an important public health problem resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality and naturally, significant medical costs. This study was performed to determine the direct and indirect medical costs attributable to type 2 diabetes and calculate total and per capita expenditures of type 2 diabetic patients in Isfahan- Iran in 1998.

Consistent with prior cost-of- illness studies, direct medical expenditures were estimated after calculating the cost imposed by diabetes-related chronic complications and general medical conditions in people with type 2 diabetes and multiplying the results by their corresponding disease- related etiologic fraction. Indirect costs were estimated after calculating the value of productivity lost due to work loss, restricted activity and bed days, disability and premature death.

Direct medical expenditures and indirect costs attrtibutable to type 2 diabetes in 22349 patients in Isfahan (1998) totalled about 8.998 and 167 billion rials respectively, resulting in total economic costs of about 176.4 billion rials or 7893868.3 rials per capita. Taking into account the 1.2 million type 2 diabetic patients living in Iran, the total expenditures attributable to type 2 diabetes were estimated to be 6472.6 billion rials in the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1998.

The economic burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Islamic Republic of Iran is enormous. It is necessary to pay more attention to medical interventions that can delay the onset and slow the progression of diabetes and its complications in order to improve the patient’s quality of life and mitigate the burden of associated expenses.