Burden of macro- and micro-vascular complications of type 2 diabetes in Bangladesh

Objective: The aim was to estimate the burden of macro- and micro-vascular complications on hospitalisation and healthcare cost among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2017. A total of 1253 patients were recruited from six hospitals. Information related to cost and complications of type 2 diabetes were collected. Multiple logistic and non-parametric regression analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of complications on hospitalisation and average annual cost. Results: Overall, 63.4% of the participants had complications of which 14.8% and 20.7% had macro- and micro-vascular complications respectively and 27.9% had both. Use of insulin, presence of both hypertension and dyslipidaemia, coronary artery diseases, stroke, nephropathy, and retinopathy were significantly associated with hospitalisation. Further, use of oral hypoglycaemic agent with a combination of insulin, presence of coronary artery diseases, stroke, nephropathy, and retinopathy increased the average annual cost. Conclusion: The prevalence of macro- and micro-vascular complications were very high in Bangladesh and majority of them are key drivers for hospitalisation and increased healthcare cost. An improvement of primary prevention strategy for complications is urgently needed which in turn will reduce the long-term healthcare cost for type 2 diabetes in Bangladesh.