The cost of diabetes mellitus and its impact on health spending in Mexico

Background. The objective of this study was to determine the cost of diabet es mellitus, its impact on health spending in Mexico, and its percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP). Methods. There was a four-stage approach: identification of the epidemiolog y of the use of health services; estimate of treatment cost; determination of the diabetic population, and calculation of the percentage of health spe nding. Results. The average annual cost per diabetic patient was $708 U.S. dollars (USD), the total annual cost of diabetics was $2,618,000 USD, the percenta ge of health spending was 15.48%, and the percentage of the GDP was 0.79%. Conclusions. It is necessary to seek strategies that allow for a more effic ient use of resources designated for type 2 diabetes treatment. (C) 2001 IM SS. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.