Productivity Loss of Diabetes in Iran (South Khorasan Province)

Background: This study aims to assess the productivity loss in diabetic patients living in South Khorasan Province, Iran, in 2017. Methods: This cost of illness and analytical study was performed on 1003 patients with diabetes referred to hospitals and healthcare centers in South Khorasan Province. After being randomly selected, the participants filled the short form health and labor questionnaire by the human capital method to estimate the productivity loss caused by health problems. Data were collected in person or via phone interviews. The collected data were analyzed by data quantile regression model using Stata v. 11. Results: The Mean±SD productivity loss based on actual and labor law income was 19.61±46.24 and 16.61±49.39 dollars, respectively. In addition, the results showed that the Mean±SD number of lost working days is 0.81±2.39 days. According to the regression model, gender, educational levels, marital status, and employment status affected the number of working days lost at 0.25 quantile (P≤0.05). Conclusion: Improving productivity in diabetic patients and consequently reducing the resulting economic burden is essential to promoting their physical, mental, and social health.