[Costs of pharmacological treatment in hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus].

BACKGROUND

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are prevalent chronic diseases that share common risk factors and contribute significantly to the economic burden on healthcare systems. Their impact is more pronounced in low-income countries, where they increase the prevalence of complications and associated healthcare costs.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the costs of pharmacological treatment of hypertension according to the number of complications between patients with hypertension vs. patients with hypertension/T2DM.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in two family medicine units in the metropolitan area of Mexico's central region. Subjects with hypertension and those with hypertension and T2DM were included. Hypertension-related complications were identified, and a microcosting analysis of hypertension pharmacological treatment was performed. To compare treatment costs between both groups it was used the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

The cost of pharmacological treatment for patients with hypertension and T2DM was $30.5 USD higher compared to those with hypertension alone. The most common complications were heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and hypertensive retinopathy, with costs increasing as the number of complications rose. This effect was more stressed in the hypertension and T2DM group.

CONCLUSIONS

The pharmacological treatment cost for patients with hypertension and T2DM was higher compared to those with hypertension alone, even in patients without complications.