Assessment of economic burden for management of diabetic foot ulcer in patients attending tertiary care hospital in Central Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has increased in lower income countries. Poorly managed diabetes leads to serious complications. Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is most common complication. Diabetes and its complications cause significant economic loss to patients and their families, health systems, and even national economies. Objectives: The objective of the study is (i) to assess the economic burden for the management of DFU among patients attending tertiary care hospital, in central Karnataka and (ii) to study the association of health expenditure with sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: This facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 patients with diabetic foot attending tertiary care hospital in central Karnataka. Results: 31% of participants reported in the age group of 61–70 years, 84% were males, 68% were from rural areas, 45% were illiterate, and 37% were currently not working. 55% of participants were belonging lower socioeconomic status. The major part of the health expenditure was the indirect expenditure. The mean direct expenditure was 431.40 INR and mean indirect expenditure was 611.98 INR. In direct health expenditure, major cost was for medication (mean 1165.8 INR) followed by investigation (mean 113.16 INR). In indirect health expenditure, major cost was loss of wages of patient and caregiver. No sociodemographic factors except age were associated with economic burden. Conclusions: The major part of the economic burden was the indirect expenditure. No sociodemographic factors except age were significantly associated with health-care expenditure for DFU.