European comparison of costs and quality in the prevention of secondary complications in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (2000-2001)

Abstract

Aims: To compare the out-patient costs and process quality of preventing secondary complications in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. Methods: A total of 188 European physician practices assessed annual services for one hypothetical average patient (cost evaluation) and 178 practices reported retrospective data on one or two real patients (quality evaluation) in 2000/2001. In countries with a detailed fee-for-service schedule (Germany, Italy, and Switzerland) reimbursement fees were used to approximate costs. These fee-for-service schedules were also used to develop index (average) fees for all countries, in order to measure resource utilization. The following process quality (indicators were evaluated: control of HbA1c; control of lipids; urine test for (micro)albuminuria; control of blood pressure; foot examination; neurological examination; eye examination; and patient education. For each country an average quality rating was calculated by weighting the response to each quality indicator with the level of scientific evidence. Results: Average quality ratings ranged from 0.40 in The Netherlands to 0.62 in the UK (0 = lowest rating; 1 = highest rating). Total annual costs for secondary prevention were higher in Switzerland than in Germany and Italy (EUR475, EUR381, and EUR283, respectively). Resource utilization was highest in Germany and lowest in the UK. Conclusions: The overall quality of preventive services documented was found to be poor in the seven European countries studied. The UK rated as both the most effective and the most efficient country in providing secondary prevention in Type 2 diabetes.