A SIMPLE ECONOMIC-EVALUATION MODEL FOR SELECTING DIABETES HEALTH-CARESTRATEGIES

The aim of this work was to develop a simple model to evaluate the hea lth care cost of diabetes in order to help decision-makers in selectin g strategies for the prevention, control, and treatment of the disease . The model assesses the cost of full coverage of health care of diabe tic patients free of chronic complications and in comparison with thos e of the treatment of acute and chronic complications. For that purpos e, standardized cost figures were obtained from both annual control an d treatment of uncomplicated diabetic patients and the treatment of on e episode of ketoacidosis, acute myocardial infarction, and amputation of two toes. The treatment/prevention cost ratio obtained showed that prevention of a single episode of any of these late-complication-rela ted events would provide enough funds to cover either the total or par tial annual cost of control and treatment of several uncomplicated dia betic patients. These facts would favour the allocation of funds in su ch a way as to allow adequate control and treatment of diabetic patien ts to keep them free of the chronic complications of the disease. This would be a wise investment of funds, which would result in a reductio n in the socioeconomic cost of the disease and in a better quality of life for the diabetic patients and their families.