The mounting prevalence of diabetes with complications like obesity, blood pressure and cholesterol among Indians is leading to spiralling cost of treatment and a massive burden on out-of pocket expenditure.

Diabetes prevalence has increased by 64% across India over the quarter-century. According to International Diabetes Federation, India’s diabetes population totalled 74 million in 2017 and it is estimated to reach 134.3 million people by 2045.

Dr. Axe

The total healthcare expenditure on diabetes in India was estimated at $31 billion in 2017 with 86% of rural and 82% of urban populations in India having to bear the costs of disease management through out-of pocket expenses, a new study published in Lancet shows.

According to the study, the expenditure of an average Indian patient with type 2 diabetes was estimated to be $95 per year. The costs of care include direct, indirect, and intangible costs.

Here’s what else the study revealed:

- The diabetic population in India in 2017 was 74 million.

- The total healthcare expenditure on diabetes in India was estimated at $31 billion in 2017.

- India is likely to have 134.3 million people suffering from diabetes in 2045.

- The global burden of diabetes now affects more than 425 million people.

dailystar.co.uk

Though use of low cost drugs and insulin have helped keep the expenditure on diabetes management under check, the enormous cost is driven by increasing prevalence of diabetes, mainly with complications. Researchers also observed that gradually use of (and thus expenditure on) newer oral drugs and insulins are increasing in India.

“When complications occur, these costs increase exponentially, particularly when insulin is initiated or admission to hospital or surgery are required...” says Dr Anoop Misra, chairman, Fortis C-Doc. He is one of the authors of the study. Other researchers include Nikhil Tandon from AIIMS and Andrew P Hills from University of Tasmania.

infosalus.com

The study linked higher spend on the disease management with higher income. In India, infections contribute to 41% of deaths among patients with diabetes.