Cost Analysis for Diabetic Outpatients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pune City, India

Abstract Background: Globally, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a rapidly growing health concern with India experiencing a significant increase in cases. While this disease often imposes a substantial financial burden on patients, particularly in outpatient settings, limited research exists within the Indian context. Our study aimed to address this gap by analyzing the costs associated with outpatient management of T2DM in a tertiary care hospital located in Pune, India. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study employed a self-designed questionnaire to collect data from outpatients in the hospital’s department. Results: We collected data from 201 outpatients with T2DM. The sample was skewed slightly male (53.23%). Our analysis revealed the annual average costs incurred by outpatients for various aspects of diabetes management: consultations: ₹3,383.45, investigations: ₹4,838.79, medications: ₹7,321.35, travel: ₹5,286.54, lost wages: ₹7,701.87, and total cost: ₹28,532. Furthermore, outpatients reported devoting an average of 11.79% of their annual income to managing their diabetes on an outpatient basis. Conclusions: This study highlights the significant financial burden borne by outpatients managing T2DM in India. Our findings underscore the need for implementing effective cost-minimization strategies within the Indian healthcare system.