Hospitalisation Cost of Diabetic Patients with Foot Ulcers: A Retrospective Descriptive Analysis from Turkey

Objective: With the increase in the prevalence of diabetes and associated complications, most of the healthcare expenditure is due to treatments of diabetes complications. This study evaluated the determinants affecting the total treatment cost in hospitalized patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), an important complication of diabetes. Material and Methods: Factors affecting cost in 300 cases of hospitalization due to DFU were analyzed retrospectively. Hospital invoices were examined, and incurred cost of each patient was calculated in Turkish lira and then converted into US dollars at the exchange rate on the date of hospitalization, considering the number of days of hospitalization. Results: Among the 300 included patients, the ratio of male/female participants was 1.94. The mean age of the patients was 62.6±11 years. Hemoglobin A1c mean was determined as 9.5±2.4%. The average hospitalization time was 17.8±12.9 days. When the average cost was analyzed according to Wagner phases, the average cost increased as the stage of the disease. The factor that most affected the cost was hospitalization cost (p=0.001, r=3.24). Diagnostic imaging tests affected the total cost the most (p=0.001, r=2.52) after hospitalization. Conclusion: The cost of hospitalization was the most important factor affecting the total cost in the analysis of DFU. Therefore, taking precautions before the advancement of ulcer stage and treatment at an early stage is expected to reduce the treatment cost. In addition, reducing the duration of hospital stay will be effective in reducing the cost of DFU treatment.