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Resource use among patients with diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, or diabetes with depression

Authors :
Able Stephen L
Le Trong K
Lage Maureen J
Source :
Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation, Vol 4, Iss 1, p 18 (2006)
Publication Year :
2006
Publisher :
BMC, 2006.

Abstract

Abstract Background Diabetes is often associated with complications and comorbidities. The purpose of this research is to compare medical resources used by patients with the following diagnoses: diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic neuropathy (DN), and diabetes mellitus combined with comorbid depression (DD). Methods Adult patients who were diagnosed with DM, DN, or DD were included in the study. There were 55,972 patients in the DM cohort, 2,146 in the DN, and 2,379 in the DD. P values for comparisons between the three mutually exclusive cohorts were conducted using the Tukey-Kramer method. Cost comparisons among the cohorts were conducted using a stepwise multivariate regression that controlled for patient characteristics and comorbid conditions. Results Individuals in the DM or DN cohorts were generally more likely to use antidiabetic medications than patients in the DD group. Those diagnosed with DN or DD generally used more pain medications than individuals in the DM cohort. The DM cohort had significantly lower diabetes-related total medical costs ($1,297 v $5,125, p < 0.0001) and lower total medical costs ($4,819 v $24,765, p < 0.0001) than the DN cohort. The DM cohort also had significantly lower diabetes-related total medical costs ($1,297 v $3,264, p < 0.0001) as well as significantly lower total medical costs ($4,819 v $19,298, p < 0.0001) than the DD cohort. Conclusion Results from this study indicated significant differences in demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and medication use among individuals diagnosed with DM, DN, or DD. These differences translated into significant cost differences. Patients diagnosed with DN or DD had higher diabetes-related costs than patients diagnosed with DM.

Subjects

Subjects :
Medicine (General)
R5-920

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14787547
Volume :
4
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.3e8dfb06de4ee4bbbb7994eb7b74bb
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-7547-4-18