Healthcare Resource Utilization for Children Under 15 Years Old With Type 1 Diabetics : A Retrospective, Multicenter Analysis

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to estimate the healthcare resource utilization of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) for children under 15 years old from hospital perspective in Algeria, providing essential data to optimize health policies and medical resource allocation.

METHODS: This was an observational, retrospective, descriptive, and multicenter study conducted in Algeria. Patient medical records from 2023 were analyzed over one year (January 1 – December 31). The study was set up in CHU Béni Messous, CHU Nefissa Hamoud ex Parnet, EPH Birtraria and Cervantes polyclinic, Algiers, Algeria. The collected data included sex, age, type of care received, type of complication, duration of hospitalization, diagnostic tests, and treatments administered. The costs considered were the direct costs of medical treatments, tests, and medical procedures. Total resources consumed were calculated based on unit costs for each quantitative variable and its frequency.

RESULTS: A total of 422 patient records were included. The sex ratio was 0.93. The hospitalization rate was 0.3 with an average hospital stay of 6 days and a consultation rate of 0.7. The direct cost of medical resources used was estimated at 272 207 €, with an average cost per patient: 645 € (289 € for drug costs, 261 € for blood glucose monitoring, 95€ for Tests and diagnosis costs). Treatment costs were 49,5% of total outpatient costs. Diabetic ketoacidosis represented the highest direct cost per hospitalization at 271 € per patient.

CONCLUSIONS: This study was the first to assess the healthcare resource utilization of T1DM for children in Algeria. These data can serve to reassess the distribution of resources for managing T1DM in Algeria’s from hospital perspective. The study further suggests the importance of enhancing early screening for T1DM, improving health information systems, and targeting appropriate interventions and tools to better manage the disease and reduce its burden.