Hospitalization Costs Due to Hypoglycemia in Patients with Diabetes: A Microcosting Approach

Abstract

Introduction: Hypoglycemia leading to hospitalization is associated with adverse economic outcomes, although the real burden is unknown. The HIPOS-WARD (Hypoglycemia In Portugal Observational Study-Ward) aimed to characterize ward admissions due to hypoglycemia episodes in treated patients with diabetes and assess their economic impact to the National Health System.

Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study, conducted in 16 Portuguese centers for 22 months. The applied microcosting approach was based on healthcare resource data, collected from patients' charts upon ward admission until discharge, and unitary costs from official/public data sources. Absenteeism was also estimated for active workers on the basis of the human capital approach.

Results: Of the 176 patients with diabetes mellitus enrolled, 86% had type 2 diabetes. Half of the patients (50.0%) were on insulin-based therapy, followed by 30.1% on a secretagogue-based regimen, 9.7% on non-secretagogue therapy, and 10.2% on a combination of insulin and secretagogue. Overall mean costs per patient were medication, 45.45 €; laboratory analysis, 218.14 €; examinations, 64.91 €; physician and nurse time, 268.55 € and 673.39 €, respectively. Bed occupancy was the main cost driver (772.09 €) and indirect cost averaged 140.44 €. Overall, the cost per hypoglycemia episode leading to hospitalization averaged 2042.52 € (range 194.76-16,762.87 €). Patients treated with insulin-based regimens (2267.76 €) and type 2 diabetes (2051.29 €) had the highest mean costs. The mean cost increased with repeated hypoglycemic events (2191.67 €), correlated complications (2109.26 €), and death (5253.38 €).

Conclusion: HIPOS-WARD's findings confirm and support both the substantial clinical and economic impact of hospitalization due to hypoglycemia in Portugal.