Cost of Illness of Diabetic Foot Ulcer in a Resource Limited Setting: A Study from Northwestern Nigeria.

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcer is a major complication of diabetes with a high economic cost of managing. Data from resource limited setting will bring to light how patients in these localities suffer financially in addition to poverty and lack of health insurance. This study estimated cost of illness among patients with diabetic foot ulcer in northwestern Nigeria.

Methods: It was a hospital based cross-sectional study. Questionnaire was used to take the bio data and medical history. Direct medical, direct non-medical and indirect cost were estimated.

Result: Majority of the patients were males with the mean age of 59.3 ± 15.1 yrs. About 60% of the patients earn less than $100 monthly. The total cost of illness of diabetic foot ulcer was estimated at $140,735.56 (median = $1381.55[IQR 1002.42-]). Direct cost of illness was $107,797.06 (median = $1023.27[IQR 773.93-1568]), while the indirect cost was $32,938.49 (median = $209.90[IQR 128.74-357.08]). Out of pocket payment accounted for 90% of the payment.

Conclusion: The cost of diabetic foot ulcer is very exorbitant and the patients affected are mostly poor, unemployed and the breadwinners of their families.