Epidemiology and costs of diabetes mellitus in Switzerland: an analysis of health care claims data, 2006 and 2011

Abstract

BackgroundQuantifying the burden of diabetes mellitus is fundamental for managing patients in health service delivery systems and improves the understanding of the importance of prevention and early intervention of diabetes. In Switzerland, epidemiological data on diabetes are very scarce. In this study we provide a first national overview of the current situation of diabetes mellitus in Switzerland as well as the development of the prevalence, incidence, mortality and costs between 2006 and 2011.MethodsUsing health care claims data of a large health insurance group, current epidemiology and costs were determined from a sample of adult enrollees in 2011. The identification of patients with diabetes was based on prescription data of diabetes related drugs using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification as proxy for clinical diagnosis. We further evaluated changes in epidemiology and costs between 2006 and 2011. All results were weighted with census data to achieve an extrapolation to the Swiss general population level.ResultsA total of 920’402 patients were enrolled in 2011 and 49’757 (5.4%) were identified as diabetes cases. The extrapolated overall prevalence of diabetes in Switzerland was 4.9% (2006, 3.9%). The incidence was 0.58% in 2011 (2007, 0.63%). The extrapolated mortality rate was 2.6% with no significant change over time. Annual diabetes costs to the mandatory health insurance increased from EUR 5,036 per patient in 2006 to EUR 5’331 per patient in 2011.ConclusionsThis study shows a high medical and economic burden of diabetes. The prevalence and costs of diabetes in Switzerland increased substantially over time. Findings stress the need for public health strategies to manage patients with chronic conditions and optimize resource allocation in health service delivery systems.

Data Regarding the Prevalence and Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes

“…Prevalence was higher in men than in women, although in the age group (19-39 years old), the prevalence was higher in the latter ones. The incidence decreased from 0.8% (2006) down to 0.7% (2011), the highest incidence being recorded in men aged over 59 years old [19].…”

Diabetes-related stigma affects the quality of life of people living with diabetes mellitus in Switzerland: implications for healthcare providers

“…According to the most recent approximation, in the year 2011 overall prevalence in the adult population was 4.9% (4.2% in women; 5.7% in men) (Huber et al . ) compared with 6–7% in Europe (International Diabetes Federation, European Region, & Diabetes Foundation of Ireland ). The Swiss Diabetes Association assumes that there were 500,000 PWD in Switzerland, among them 40,000 type 1 diabetics (Swiss Diabetes Association, ).…”

Stigmatisierungserfahrungen von Menschen mit Diabetes mellitus in der Schweiz

“…Die Art der Stichprobe wie auch die Rücklaufquote könnten zu einer Verzerrung der Ergebnisse geführt haben. Ein Vergleich mit den jüngsten epidemiologischen Schätzungen (Huber et al 2014) zeigt immerhin, dass die Geschlechterverteilung im Sample dieser Studie (45,2 % Frauen und 54,8 % Männer) sehr nahe an die Geschlechterverteilung im Sample der Studie herankommt, auf der die Schätzung der Prävalenz von Diabetes in der Schweiz von 2011 abstellt (45,7 % Frauen und 54,3 % Männer). Auch die Altersverteilungen liegen nahe beieinander.…”

“…Auch die Altersverteilungen liegen nahe beieinander. In der Stichprobe dieser Untersuchung waren 70,9 % der Befragten älter als 56 Jahre während in der Studie zu Prävalenzschät-zung 73,7 % über 59 Jahre alt waren (Huber et al 2014 Förderung Die Untersuchung, auf die sich dieser Beitrag bezieht, ist vom Schweizerischen Nationalfonds (Projekt Nr. 13DPD3_132288) und der Schweizerischen Diabetes-Stiftung gefördert worden.…”