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Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is recognised as a major health problem. Objectives The aims of this study are two-fold: (1) to describe the methods used in the identified cost-of-illness (COI) studies of DM and (2) to summarise their study findings regarding the economic impact of DM. Methods This is a systematic review of MEDLINE and Scopus journal articles reporting the cost of type 1 and/or 2 DM that were published in English from 2007 to 2011. Costs reported in the included studies were converted to US dollars. Results The systematic search yielded 30 articles. The studies varied considerably in their study design, perspective and included cost categories. Estimates for the total annual costs of DM ranged from US$141.6 million to US$174 billion; direct costs ranged from US$150 to US$14,060 per patient per year (pppy) whereas indirect costs ranged from US$39.6 to US$7,164 pppy. Inpatient cost was the major contributor to direct cost in half of the studies that included inpatient costs, physician services and medications. Conclusion There is a considerable economic burden associated with DM. Future research should focus on improving methods of estimating costs, enhancing the interpretation of study findings and facilitating comparisons between studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is recognised as a major health problem. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study are two-fold: (1) to describe the methods used in the identified cost-of-illness (COI) studies of DM and (2) to summarise their study findings regarding the economic impact of DM. METHODS: This is a systematic review of MEDLINE and Scopus journal articles reporting the cost of type 1 and/or 2 DM that were published in English from 2007 to 2011. Costs reported in the included studies were converted to US dollars. RESULTS: The systematic search yielded 30 articles. The studies varied considerably in their study design, perspective and included cost categories. Estimates for the total annual costs of DM ranged from US$141.6 million to US$174 billion; direct costs ranged from US$150 to US$14,060 per patient per year (pppy) whereas indirect costs ranged from US$39.6 to US$7,164 pppy. Inpatient cost was the major contributor to direct cost in half of the studies that included inpatient costs, physician services and medications. CONCLUSION: There is a considerable economic burden associated with DM. Future research should focus on improving methods of estimating costs, enhancing the interpretation of study findings and facilitating comparisons between studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Urinary tract infections remain one of the most frequently encountered acquired complications in an intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, microbial sensitivity patterns, and clinical outcomes of patients with UTIs acquired during their admission to an ICU in an acute care hospital in Singapore., Materials and Methods: This was a 14-week prospective study. All ICU patients > or =18 years who remained in the ICU for > or =48 hours were eligible for this study. Patients were reviewed daily and the presence of an ICU-acquired UTI was identified via urinary microscopic examination or culture results. Other data collected included patient demographics, ICU admission criteria, concomitant illnesses, presence of invasive lines, microbial sensitivity and treatment outcomes., Results: Thirty-fi ve (13.7%) cases of ICU-acquired UTI occurred in 256 separate ICU admissions. The most common micro-organisms isolated were Candida spp. (34%). Female gender and prior exposure to antibiotics were independent risk factors for developing an ICU-acquired UTI (P <0.01). Both mean length of ICU stay and duration of catheterisation were significantly longer for patients with ICU-acquired UTI (P <0.001). The mortality rate of patients with ICU-acquired UTIs (12.1%) was slightly higher than those without (9.9%)., Conclusions: The incidence of ICU-acquired UTIs was similar to figures reported for nosocomial UTIs from the previous studies. Significant risk factors for developing an ICU-acquired UTI were female gender and history of antibiotic exposure prior to ICU admission. The insignificant link between ICU-acquired UTI and mortality requires further investigation in larger cohorts.