Economic Burden of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Patients in the Rural Field Practice Area of a Medical College in Davangere - A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Diabetes is rapidly emerging as a major health care problem, even in rural India. The earlier occurrence, delayed diagnosis and improper care leads to high complication rates, greater productivity loss and consequently higher costs. As the epidemiological burden of diabetes increases, the economic burden is expected to rise and the economically disadvantaged will be affected the most. Objectives: To assess the economic burden of diabetes among type 2 diabetic patients and to explore the factors associated with the economic burden of diabetes. Materials and Methods: Community based cross sectional study was carried out in rural field practice area of a medical college in Davangere for a period of six months during 2016-17 among 112 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Information was collected using pretested predesigned questionnaire on socio-demographic details, health services utilization, expenditure incurred on diabetes care (both direct and indirect costs) in the past six months. Results: The direct cost accounted for 94.2% of the total cost of treatment, of which hospitalization for diabetes related complications and medications were major components. Source of health care significantly influenced the direct cost. About 8.9% of study subjects skipped medications at least once due to lack of money. Conclusions: Direct cost in the management of diabetes is major contributor to the expenditure. Availability of affordable essential quality diabetic medications and strengthening of public healthcare is crucial in reduction of these direct costs involved in diabetic management.