Cost of diabetes mellitus care among patients attending selected outpatient clinics.

INTRODUCTION In developing countries diabetes mellitus affects economically productive age group; more often affecting the productive member of the family. The objective of the study was to estimate the direct and indirect cost of illness of patients with DM attending the selected outpatient clinics in Kathmandu Valley. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out in four outpatient clinics in Kathmandu Valley among 227 diabetic patients selected purposively. It was conducted from July to September, 2010. An adapted and pretested semi structured questionnaire was administered to diabetic patients aged 20 to 60 years with a minimum of a year of illness. RESULTS The mean total cost per visit by a diabetic patient to an outpatient clinic was US$13.3 (95% CI: 11.70-14.92). Likewise the total cost incurred in the treatment and care of DM per month was US$ 40.41 (95% CI: 36.38-44.45) and per annum was US$ 445 (95% CI: 396.11- 495.61). In addition, the study results also showed that with increase in total direct cost per annum the duration of illness also increases. CONCLUSIONS There is a high cost burden on the patient with DM visiting the selected private sector outpatient clinics.