Direct and indirect costs of diabetes in Africa

In a systematic review of the literature, researchers recently examined the cost of diabetes in Africa by assessing the indirect and direct costs of the disease and determining how costing was quantified. The research resulted in 26 studies: 11 focused on only type 2 diabetes, and 9 examined both types 1 and 2 diabetes. The most common expenditure viewpoints were patient/family, societal, and health system.

Drug, medical supply, diagnostic, and consultation costs were some of the healthcare items commonly included in calculating direct costs. Annual drug costs per outpatient represented a significant portion of total treatment costs, from as low as 14% in Seychelles, 53% in Sudan, and up to 90% in Nigeria. However, indirect costs of the illness, such as loss of income and permanent disability, exceeded the direct costs. For further details, read the entire research article here.