Background
The increasing prevalence of type-2 diabetes is a growing socioeconomic challenge for the German health system.
Objectives
This scoping review is intended to provide an overview of the costs related to type-2 diabetes in Germany. In addition, the costs of German patients with type-2 diabetes will be compared with those of neighbouring countries.
Materials and methods
A literature search using the bibliographic search interface PubMed was performed. National and international cost of illness studies published within the last 6 years were sought. In order to compare studies, information on study design and results was extracted.
Results
Based on four of five studies that reported the direct costs of treating patients with type-2 diabetes, the annual costs per patient are between €3350 und €5080. As a result, the total direct costs of German type-2 diabetes are estimated at between €28 billion and €33 billion. Taking into account different methods of calculation and purchasing power differences between Germany and its neighbouring countries, there were only moderate discrepancies. Whereas the largest potential in terms of savings appears to be in younger patients with type-2 diabetes (under 45 years), the absolute costs of drugs, hospital treatment and other care increase with age.
Conclusions
The cost of illness studies included in this overview did not reveal a considerable increase in treatment costs for type-2 diabetes. Allocating preventive measures to younger patients with type-2 diabetes does not appear to be justified for either ethical or economic reasons.