Economic Evaluation of Screening for Type ۲ Diabetes: Case Study of Iran

Abstract Objective: In health economics, one of the important methods of economic evaluation is cost-effectiveness analysis. The usual procedure in this method is to consider effectiveness of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) as a measure criterion. Material and Methods: This was a cross sectional study of economic assessment type or Cost-Effectiveness. All over ۳۰ years old population of Shiraz (۵۴۳,۸۲۰ people) were target population of the study. Indeed, in this study, all over ۳۰ years old population being screened for diabetes in any governmental health centers and health stations in Shiraz (۶۹ health stations and ۳۰ healthcare centers) and ۱۰ clinics related to Shiraz University of medical science, were included. Costs in this study included screening and surveillance costs and effectiveness was DALYs created for diabetes and its complications and finally, the results were analyzed using Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER). Results: The rate of DALYs due to diabetes, in the absence of screening and identifying diabetic patients was ۷۴۸.۰۷۴۵ years. The rate due to diabetic retinopathy was ۱۰.۳۸۸۶ years, in diabetic neuropathy was ۲۹.۵۶۲۴ years, in diabetic foot was ۰.۰۳۴۳ years and in diabetic nephropathy was ۸۳.۸۷۲۸ years. In this study, total screening and surveillance costs were ۴۲,۸۲۱,۸۷۳,۹۴۱ Rials. The obtained ICER was ۴۹,۱۱۱,۴۴۴ Rials. Conclusion: From governmental view, in this study, the plan saved ۸۷۱.۹۳۲۷ years of individual lives covered by the program. According to the World Health Organization criteria, screening in this study is cost-effective.