Cost-of-illness studies of diabetes mellitus: a systematic review.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is recognised as a major health problem.

Objectives: The aims of this study are two-fold: (1) to describe the methods used in the identified cost-of-illness (COI) studies of DM and (2) to summarise their study findings regarding the economic impact of DM.

Methods: This is a systematic review of MEDLINE and Scopus journal articles reporting the cost of type 1 and/or 2 DM that were published in English from 2007 to 2011.

Bridging the gap between primary and specialist care--an integrative model for stroke.

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in Singapore and many parts of the world. Chronic disease management programmes allow seamless care provision across a spectrum of healthcare facilities and allow appropriate services to be brought to the stroke patient and the family. Randomised controlled trials have provided evidence for efficacious interventions.