title: Comparison of direct costs of type 2 diabetes care: different care models with different outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare direct costs of four different care models and health outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We used multiple independent data sources to identify 25,570 adults with type 2 diabetes residing in Turin, Italy, as of 1 July 2003. Data extracted from administrative data databases were used to create four care models ranging in organization from highly structured care (integrated primary and specialist care) to progressively less structured care (unstructured care). Regression analyses, adjusted for main confounders, were applied to examine the differences between the models in direct costs, mortality, and diabetes-related hospitalizations rates over a 4-year period. In patients managed according to the unstructured care model (i.e., usual care by a primary care provider and without strict guidelines adherence), excess of all-cause mortality was 84% and 4-year direct cost was 8% higher than in those managed according to the highly structured care model. Cost ratio analysis revealed that the major cost driver in the unstructured care model was hospital admissions, which were 31% higher than the rate calculated for the more structured care models. In contrast, spending on prescription medications and specialist consultations was higher in the highly structured care model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A diabetes care model that integrates primary and specialty care, together with practices that adhere to guideline recommendations, was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality and hospitalizations, as compared with less structured models, without increasing direct health costs.
authors.affiliation: Metabolism and Diabetes Unit, ASL TO5, Regione Piemonte, 10023 Chieri, TO, Italy. Electronic address: giordaca@tin.it.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Giorda
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, ASL TO3, Regione Piemonte, Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Picariello
authors.affiliation: Chaira Medica Association, Chieri, TO, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nada
authors.affiliation: Chaira Medica Association, Chieri, TO, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tartaglino
authors.affiliation: Metabolism and Diabetes Unit, ASL TO5, Regione Piemonte, 10023 Chieri, TO, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marafetti
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, ASL TO3, Regione Piemonte, Grugliasco, TO, Italy; Department of Public Health, University of Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, ASL TO3, Regione Piemonte, Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrelli
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, ASL TO3, Regione Piemonte, Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gnavi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000592:standards*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents
keywords: Care models; Cost effectiveness; Costs; Type 2 diabetes