Survey: Diabetes management may cost HK$2.83b
(China Daily HK Edition)
Updated: 2006-10-25 08:47
Tackling diabetes is a daunting task. But it has an economic impact too. It
could cost Hong Kong HK$2.83 billion in total in managing Type 2 diabetes this
year, according to a research by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and
the United Christian Hospital.
Of the total expenses, HK$2.44 billion was direct medical costs. It was
equivalent to 3.9 per cent in total government healthcare expenditure and 6.4
per cent in Hospital Authority expenditure.
The rest was indirect costs, such as loss of productivity and early
retirement due to the disease.
The research assessed the economic impact of Type 2 diabetes on 147 patients
at the United Christian Hospital and the local healthcare system.
The 147 patients were assessed one year from time of interview in 2004, with
average age at 60 something and the youngest age at 29.
The research showed costs incurred by Type 2 diabetes created a big financial
burden on patients and the government.
We estimated the total cost of diabetes management at HK$2.83 billion in
2004. The figure could be applied to this year as well, because the overall
direct medical costs this year was approximately the same as in 2004, said
Kenneth Lee, Professor of CUHK's School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine.
The research showed the government had to bear about 90 per cent of direct
medical costs of diabetes.
On average each patient had to pay more than HK$13,000 annually for medical
treatment, with specialist outpatient clinic visits and hospitalization as the
major cost drivers (82 per cent).
The research also showed the direct medical costs would be increased
substantially if there were complications.
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