OBJECTIVES: Estimate direct and indirect costs of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in Colombia, focused on indirect costing based on public information around productivity loss.

METHODS: A macro-costing method was implemented that consisted of analyzing secondary information sources, such as SISPRO system, that has the costs of the health benefits plan of the contributory healthcare regime, and DANE household survey, in order to obtain information on direct and indirect costs by disease stage (Normoalbuminuria, Microalbuminuria, Macroalbuminuria, End-stage renal disease {ESRD-} and death). Both direct medical costs related to healthcare system and related to household were estimated. For indirect costs, Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) and a reference of average labor income per worker were used. Finally, the estimated costs were normalized to 2021 prices using the Consumer´s Price Index CPI in health.

RESULTS: Using an exchange rate of $3,756.67 Colombian pesos per US dollar (USD), the direct annual cost per patient was $91.75 USD for microalbuminuria, $448.06 USD for macroalbuminuria and $8,047.35 USD for ESRD. Healthcare system costs for micro and macroalbuminuria were $62.38 USD and $5,329.21 USD for ESRD. Out-of-pocket expenses were $29.38 USD, $385.69 USD, and $2,718.14 USD for microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria and ESRD, respectively. Regarding indirect costs, $498.31 USD for macroalbuminuria and $2,765.16 USD for ESRD.

CONCLUSIONS: CKD in T2D generates large costs for households, the health system and society. Regarding households, it represents a high level of out-of-pocket expenses compared to the average labor income, which increases in more advanced stages of the disease.