Cost burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in an urban area of Bangladesh: A hospital-based mix method study

BackgroundLongtime treatment of diabetic patients is an added burden for countries that had low GDP and no health insurance facilities like Bangladesh. Urgent cost assessment and proper strategy needs to be developed to overcome the economic burden of a diabetic patient. MethodologyWe have conducted a mixed-methods study in a Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences (BIHS), a sister concern of BIRDEM hospital between August 2019 to January 2020. Quantitative data was collected by a survey questionnaire from the patients and qualitative data was collected by interviewing five key informants of the facility center. Results329 known diabetic patients were enrolled, out of the 70.48% were female and the rest of them were male. The mean age of the respondents was 53.73 years. Nearly 35% of them had a positive family history, and more than 30% of them had both hypertension and dyslipidemia along with DM. The total average cost per year was [~]600USD, which includes drug, investigation, consultancy & transportation costs. Among which drug costs were the most ([~]350 USD).We had found that drug cost & investigation cost had a significant associated with increased age, level of education, and the duration of DM. Investigation cost was also associated with positive family history. ConclusionsAs there is no insurance coverage in Bangladesh and subsidy are not available, many of the patients from the lower socio-economic group might discontinue the treatment. Further prospective research is needed to develop a proper guideline for policymakers. Strength & LimitationO_LIIts the first mixed method study which discuss about the cost burden of type 2 DM C_LIO_LIKII was performed and perspective about the cost burden of type 2 DM from doctors view was reported. C_LIO_LIDescribed that treatment of DM is often hampered due to lack of family & workplace support. C_LIO_LIOur only methodological limitation is our sample size, which was smaller than other quantitave studies. C_LI