OBJECTIVE: To compare the medical expenditure and its trend for diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes mellitus and to assess the direct economic burden of diabetes for individuals and families.
METHODS: Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS), propensity scores matching(PSM)was used to match diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes mellitus according to the related characteristic variables. Data from 679 pairs of objects was then compared.
RESULTS: From 2000 to 2009, gaps of annual medical expenditure from diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes mellitus showed an increase, from 3361.93 to 6608.48 Yuan, with the ratios of medical expenditure about 4 times. The ratios of personal economic burden and family economic burden had an increase of about 4-5 times.
CONCLUSION: Compared with non-diabetes mellitus, the annual medical expenses was significantly higher among patients with diabetes mellitus. The absolute cost appeared a dramatic increase, along with the personal and familiar economic burden.
