PDB52 - Estimating the burden of illness of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy in China

Abstract

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) results from toxic effects of chronically high blood sugar on the peripheral nervous system. Symptoms include loss of sensation, discomfort and often severe pain in the feet, legs or hands. The study aims to determine and characterize the potential total direct and indirect costs associated with pDPN in China. We created a one year model to estimate the burden of illness of pDPN in China. The model utilized a micro-costing approach. Direct health care costs were for primary treatment drugs, drugs for comorbidities, hospitalization utilization, tests, and outpatient visits. Indirect costs were projected due to both presenteeism (decreased productivity) and absenteeism (missing work). Prevalence rates and resource utilization frequency was informed by both publically available data and a questionnaire administered to local physicians. Both direct and indirect costs were informed by publically available data. Costs were reported in 2013 USD (1 USD = 6.07 RMB). We estimated that pDPN affects 30% of the diabetic population—an estimated 33,930,810 people in China. The total economic burden of illness of pDPN was estimated to be $110.5 billion per year ($60.8 billion and $49.7 billion from direct and indirect costs, respectively). Within direct health care costs were primary treatment drugs ($37.1 billion), drugs for comorbidities ($13.9 billion), tests ($7.3 billion), hospitalizations ($1.7 billion), and outpatient visits ($713 million). For indirect costs, $42.6 billion was associated with presenteeism via decreased productivity, and $7.1 billion was associated with absenteeism. The estimated total cost per year, per patient is estimated to be $3,255 ($1,791 and $1,465 from direct and indirect costs respectively). In China, the aggregate burden of illness for pDPN is estimated to be over $110.5 billion annually. New treatments for the disease may reduce its burden on society.