Factors in medical costs for type 2 diabetes mellitus in the setting of outpatient clinic

Abstract

Direct medical costs determined for 708 outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus averaged an annual ¥388,029 and increased with subject age and diabetes mellitus duration. Expenses were ¥187,321 for those treated with nonpharmacological modalities' ¥308,521 for those given oral antidiabetic agents, and ¥574,667 for those undergoing insulin therapy. Medical costs were higher for those with diabetic micro- or macrovascular complications than in those without. They also increased with the number of atherosclerosis risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and reduced eGFR (<60 mZ/min/1.73 m2). In multiple regression analysis, hypertension and reduced eGFR were associated significantly with health care costs. Medical costs for those with type 2 diabetes mellitus were related to age, disease duration, treatment type, vascular complications, and atherosclerosis risk factors. If eGFR is reduced or surrogate atherosclerosis markers indicate an abnormality, intensive examination for diabetic vascular complications is important in suppressing future medical costs.