The cost of diabetes mellitus and its impact on health spending in Mexico.

Authors :: Villarreal-Ríos E
Salinas-Martínez AM
Medina-Jáuregui A
Garza-Elizondo ME
Núñez-Rocha G
Chuy-Díaz ER
Source :: Archives of medical research [Arch Med Res] 2000 Sep-Oct; Vol. 31 (5), pp. 511-4.
Publication Year :: 2000
Abstract: Background: The objective of this study was to determine the cost of diabetes mellitus, its impact on health spending in Mexico, and its percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP).<br />Methods: There was a four-stage approach: identification of the epidemiology of the use of health services; estimate of treatment cost; determination of the diabetic population, and calculation of the percentage of health spending.<br />Results: The average annual cost per diabetic patient was $708 U.S. dollars (USD), the total annual cost of diabetics was $2,618,000 USD, the percentage of health spending was 15.48%, and the percentage of the GDP was 0.79%.<br />Conclusions: It is necessary to seek strategies that allow for a more efficient use of resources designated for type 2 diabetes treatment.