Assessment of Glycaemic Status and Expenditure Incurred by Diabetic Subjects in the Urban Field Practice Area of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore

Background and objectives: India has the largest number of diabetic subjects earning the dubious distinction of “Diabetes Capital of the world”. Diabetes necessitates lifelong management. The co-morbidities and complications of diabetes have a sustained impact on the cost of care. In this context, this study was undertaken to assess the glycaemic status and expenditure incurred prospectively for 1 year among diabetic subjects in the urban field practice area of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bangalore. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in urban field practice area of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences Bangalore, for a period of one and half years from April 2011 to August 2012. The baseline survey revealed 194 self-disclosing diabetics, out of them 65 were selected by simple random sampling and their expenditure for management of diabetes was collected for 1 year prospectively. Blood samples were collected twice during the study with informed consent for estimation of HbA1c. Health education was imparted to the subjects with a designed flipchart, a pre-test and post test was conducted with a designed questionnaire. The data were compiled and analysed. Results: The monthly expenditure incurred by the subjects ranged from Rs. 133–5083, majority of the subjects were under poor control of their Glycaemic status and there was a positive correlation between Glycaemic status and expenditure. Post test scores after health education showed improvement which was statically significant. Conclusion: It was concluded that the expenditure incurred was in positive correlation with Glycaemic status. The educational intervention was found to be effective in achieving Glycaemic control and improving the awareness regarding causes and consequences of diabetes.