Diabetic complications the greatest health cost for diabetes

Research from the London School of Economics (LSE) confirms that the cost of treating diabetes complications greatly outweighs the cost of maintaining good blood glucose control.
The researchers looked at the direct cost of diabetes on five nations in the EU including the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The cost of diabetes in 2010 varied from £3.7 billion in Spain to £29.6 billion in Germany. The UK came in second amongst these countries with diabetes costing the NHS £13.9 billion.
The study reveals: “Outpatient costs […] can be less than half of inpatient costs due to the relatively low costs of maintaining good glycaemic control via medication and regular monitoring.”
The cost of out-patient care in the UK, which includes blood glucose monitoring supplies, is estimated at £300 to £370 per patient. In-patient care, however, which covers treatment such as kidney dialysis and hospital foot care, is estimated to cost between £1,800 and £2,500 per patient. Germany spends much more on out-patient care than the UK (£1,350), but it appears to be paying off, as in-patient care costs are significantly less than in the UK (£1,150).
The findings of the report may raise eyebrows amongst people with diabetes, particularly those with type 2 diabetes who have been denied sufficient blood glucose monitoring supplies.
Diabetes.co.uk’s petitio, which asks for better access to blood testing for people with type 2 diabetes, has achieved over 3,000 signatures to date. Show your support by signing the test strips petition.