Direct medical cost and medications for patient of diabetes retinopathy in Beijing, China, 2016–2018

Medications and costs of drug for diabetic retinopathy in outpatient in China have not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic drugs and medical costs of diabetic retinopathy patients in the Beijing medical insurance system, analyze the characteristics of outpatient treatment, and investigate the changes in the quantity and cost of hypoglycemic drugs from 2016 to 2018.This is a retrospective observational study, including diabetic patients with outpatient records in Beijing medical insurance from 2016 to 2018. Data on oral hypoglycemic drugs, insulin and non-hypoglycemic drugs, complications, treatment strategies, and annual medical costs were recorded.A total of 2,853,036 diabetic patients in Beijing medical insurance were enrolled in this study. 4.19 %-4.67 % of patients were diagnosed with retinopathy. Patients with retinopathy have more diabetic complications (1.65 ± 0.71 vs 0.18 ± 0.44. p < .0001), and use more drugs (5.11 ± 2.60 vs 3.85 ± 2.34, p < .0001), the annual total drug cost is also higher (¥ 13,836 ± 11,244 vs ¥ 10,030 ± 9375, p < .0001). The numbers of medication in retinopathy patients increased (5.11 ± 2.60 vs 4.95 ± 2.57, p < .0001), and the annual total drug cost (¥13,836 ± 11,244 vs ¥15,642 ± 13,344, p < .0001) decreased in 2018 compared with 2016.Patients with retinopathy were associated with more complications. Compared with patients without retinopathy, the number of medications and total medical costs were significantly increased. From 2016 to 2018, there was an increase in the number of medication treatments for patients with retinopathy, but a decrease in cost.