Recent trends for the management of diabetes for older adults in the context of universal coverage and COVID-19: evidence from Mexico

Abstract

Background: To identify trends in the epidemiological and economic burden of diabetes in the elderly.

Methods: Using the Box-Jenkins method to estimate expected cases for the period 2020-2022, costs were determined with the instrumentation technique. The population base was 4 032 189 older adults diagnosed with diabetes in 2019.

Results: Regarding the epidemiological burden, there is an increase of 11-15% (p<0.001). Comparing the economic burden for 2020 vs 2022, the increase is estimated as 29% (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In the framework of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the increase in diabetes cases and costs in older adults substantially complicates the scope of universal coverage for patients with diabetes.

Keywords: diabetes management; economic burden; epidemiological trends; older adults.