An update on the economic burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus in China

ABSTRACT

Objectives

This study aims to update the statistics on the economic burden of T2DM and to identify the factors affecting the economic costs of T2DM in China.

Methods

This study conducts a systematic review of the existing literature that has reported on the direct economic costs (mainly the direct medical resource consumption) and indirect economic costs (mainly non-medical costs and intangible costs) of T2DM as of 31 May 2019.

Results

The total expenditure on diabetes in China’s western region is still relatively low. Additionally, the mean direct costs of T2DM are high in China’s northern urban areas. However, compared to urban areas, in rural areas, the largest proportion of the total economic costs of T2DM is the mean indirect costs. Furthermore, age, sex, type and number of complications, type of medical insurance, diabetes duration, level of education, and income are the primary factors that influence the economic burden of T2DM.

Conclusion

There is a considerable economic burden associated with T2DM in China. Therefore, to address the economic burden of T2DM, it is vital to take measures to reduce the prevalence rate of diabetes.

KEYWORDS:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• economic burden
• direct costs
• indirect costs
• China

Author contributions

L Tian and B Shi were involved in the design of the study. C Ding, Y Bao collected, analyzed, and interpreted the data. C Ding wrote the draft manuscript. Y Bao, B Bai, X Liu,B, Shi, and L Tian verified, reviewed, and edited the generated findings and draft manuscript. The authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed

Additional information

Funding

This work was sponsored by the National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2018YFC1311502), Health Industry Project of Gansu Province of China (No. GSWSKY2020-08), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81760144). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, and analysis, decision to publish, or manuscript preparation.