ECONOMIC COSTS OF HOSPITALIZATION AND LENGTH OF STAY IN DIABETES WITH
CO-EXISTING HYPERTENSION WITH CORRELATION TO LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS:
WHERE DOES INDIA STAND? A FIVE YEARS GROUND REPORT
Abstract
Introduction: The coexistence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension
(HTN) worsen clinical outcomes and contribute to increased morbidity and
mortality. Objective: This study aims to analyze the length of stay and
healthcare costs by calculating the direct and indirect costs of
diabetes with co-existing hypertension in North India. Methods: A
prospective observational study was conducted at the medicine department
of the three different hospitals. Results: The patients’ mean age was
found to be (M=53.8, SD=11.5) years. Out of 1914 patients, 53.65% were
found female. Our study revealed that the median cost of medical
supplies and equipment was found to be 21.2 $. The median cost of
dialysis was found at 47.5 $; the median cost of hospitalization was
found to be 142.6 $. The treatment’s median direct cost was 188.5 $,
followed by the overall median cost of 295.6 $. The maximum overall
cost of treatment was observed at 603.9 $. It was observed that that
maximum LOS was found to be 14 days for patients having BPS between 140
to 159 mmHg and BPD between 110- 119 mmHg, and minimum LOS was found to
be 3.5 days. Conclusion: The present study highlighted that diabetes
co-existing hypertension poses a high economic burden on patients. This
study explored that highly significant result for BPS, BPD, FBS, and
HbA1c, whereas the significant results were obtained when RBS is
compared with LOS and treatment costs. Our study concluded that mean
difference of 9.24 $ in patients having FBS: 261-290 mg/dl and
> 290 mg/dL. The LOS increases 6.57 days for patients with
BPS between 140-159 mmHg compared to BPS between 180 -above 209 mmHg,
which lower treatment costs by -21.31$. Keywords: Diabetes,
Hypertension, length of stay, cost of treatment, direct medical cost,
indirect medical cost