Social and economic impact of diabetics in Bangladesh: protocol for a case-control study

Background: Diabetes affects both individuals and their families
and has an impact on economic and social development of a country.
Information on the availability, cost, and quality of medical care
for diabetes is mostly not available for many low-and middle-income
countries including Bangladesh. Complications from diabetes, which
can be devastating, could largely be prevented by wider use of
several inexpensive generic medicines, simple tests and monitoring
and can be a cost saving intervention. This study will provide an
in-depth and comprehensive picture of social and economic impacts
of diabetes in Bangladesh and propose clear recommendations for
improving prevention and management of diabetes. The objectives of
the study are: 1) To study the association between diabetes and
other health problems and its social impacts 2) To estimate the
economic impact of diabetes including total direct and indirect
costs 3) To measure the impact of diabetes on quality of life among
diabetes patients in Bangladesh 4) To study the impact of diabetes
on the health care system Methods: This is a case-control study
comparing cases with type 2 diabetes to controls without diabetes
matched on age, sex and place of residence. 564 cases and 564
controls will be selected from the outpatient department of a
tertiary hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data on socioeconomic
status, health utility index, direct and indirect costs for
diabetes, medication adherence, quality of life, treatment
satisfaction, diet, physical activity, mental state examination,
weight, height, hip and waist circumference, blood pressure, pulse,
medication history, laboratory data and physical examination will
be conducted. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measures will
be association between diabetes and other health problems, cost of
diabetes, impact of diabetes on quality of life and secondary
outcome measures are impact of diabetes on healthcare systems in
Bangladesh. Discussion: This study will provide an in-depth and
comprehensive picture of social and economic impacts of diabetics
in Bangladesh and propose clear recommendations for improving
prevention and management of diabetics. It will help to develop
programs and policies for better management of Diabetics and cost
effective strategies in Bangladesh context.