Abstract
Aims: Glycemic control and ophthalmological care are known to significantly diminish the risk of visual impairment and blindness by diabetic retinopathy (DRP). The (cost-)effectiveness of both strategies was studied to highlight their benefits for patients and care providers. Methods: A computer analysis was developed, following the progression of DRP and the effectiveness of metabolic control and ophthalmological care continuously and individually in cohorts of type I and type II DM patients with divergent degrees of compliance. Costs relate to present medical charges in the Netherlands. Results: Intensive glycemic control shortens the duration of blindness in a type I DM patient by 0.76 years, intensive ophthalmological care by 0.53 years. One year sight gain may cost €1126 by providing ophthalmological care and €50 479 by glycemic control. The duration of blindness drops in a type II DM patient by 0.48 and 0.13 years, respectively, whereas the effectiveness decreases as the age of onset of DM rises. Conclusions: The vast majority of diabetic patients benefits from both intensive glycemic control and intensive ophthalmological care, but these cost-effective interventions which are not only complementary, but also substitute each other, require lasting, full compliance by all parties concerned.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 89-97 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Health policy |
Volume | 64 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1 2003 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cost-effectiveness
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Glycemic control
- Ophthalmological care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Policy