Starting insulin therapy in elderly non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients at a health care centre. Methodological and economic aspects.
OBJECTIVE
To try to start insulin therapy in elderly non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients with secondary failure in primary health care, and compare costs for starting treatment in a health care centre and in a day-care clinic in a hospital.


METHODS
Time and costs for start of insulin were calculated.


METHODS
A health care centre in Stockholm, Sweden.


METHODS
Fourteen consecutive patients in the health care centre and a control group of 14 patients in the day-care clinic.


RESULTS
Metabolic control in both groups improved significantly. Total time spent with the district nurse to start insulin treatment was 3 hours during about 7 weeks with a total cost of SEK 1100 in the health care centre. In the day-care clinic patients were admitted 5.6 days with a total cost of SEK 6100-10900.


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly patients can learn the injection technique and manage insulin therapy, which results in good metabolic control. Insulin treatment can be started in primary health care. With elderly patients it takes time, but it is far more cost-effective in primary health care than at the hospital.
Tovi
J
J
Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Family Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockhoim, Sweden.
Furhoff
A K
AK
Lennerhagen
P
P
Engfeldt
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003151:Community Health Centers; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013548:Sweden
D007328:Insulin