Background and objective: Prospective population-based cost-of-illness study to evaluate diabetes mellitus (DM)-related direct costs in German pediatric DM care in the early course after onset (perspective: statutory health insurers).
Patients and methods: 573 patients with DM <15 years of age were followed for up to 2 years after onset. DM-related hospitalization and ambulatory care, insulin and self-testing regimen were ascertained. Costs per patient-year were estimated (2000 prices). Using multivariate regression, associations between costs and families' socioeconomic status was evaluated.
Results: Mean total costs per patient-year were 7,069 euro (interquartile range 5,414-8,127). Onset hospitalization accounted for the majority of costs (4,908 euro, 3,728-6,213). Within post-onset costs, most were attributable to blood glucose self measurement and hospitalization (36% and 32%). Costs were significantly higher in children from families with lower compared to highest educated parents and in children from non-German families (p <0.01).
Conclusions: Among the direct medical costs of childhood DM in the early course after onset, the greatest economic burden was due to hospitalization, in particular at onset. Blood glucose self measurement accounted for the majority of the post-onset costs. Costs were associated with the socio-economic status. It is recommended to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of outpatient programs targeting children from families with lower social status.