Indirect costs of diabetes mellitus in Poland

Abstract

Indirect costs related to the loss of productivity due to diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2 in Polish population were taken into account. In detail the following ways of indirect costs generating were assessed: sick leave, disability pensions as well as premature mortality caused by diabetes or its complications. Data on the illness impact on the loss of productivity was based on the prospective study performed in diabetic population of Cracow in 2004 with special questionnaire containing a number of questions on the issue. The questionnaire was fulfilled by 381 people treated ambulatory in 5 outpatients departments in Cracow within 3-month period. Based on the results it could be estimated that annual indirect costs for a standard diabetic patient were as high as 4951 zł (1303 Euro; 1 Euro = 3,80 zł). The most eminent component of the indirect costs in that population was generated by premature disability pensions (above 74% of total indirect costs): 3682,2 zł (969 Euro) per standard patient; in case of whole diabetic population in Poland it was: 4 731 627 000 zł (1 245 000 000 Euro). Total indirect costs of diabetes and its complications in Poland in 2004: were: 6 363 000 000 zł (1 647 000 000 Euro).