The comorbidity burden of diabetes and stroke: a retrospective study in Beijing, China

Background The high costs associated with diabetes management, coupled with the increasing prevalence of comorbidities, present a significant challenge to China's healthcare system, with cardiovascular complications being particularly prominent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the comorbidities of diabetic patients with stroke in Beijing from 2016 to 2018 and the impact on treatment options and associated costs. Methods This retrospective cohort study included diabetic patients enrolled in Beijing's medical insurance with outpatient medical records. We compared comorbidities, medications, and related treatment costs between stroke and non-stroke patients. Results A representative sample of 2,853,036 patients with diabetes was identified from the data collected from 2016 to 2018, of which an average of 21.18% of patients reported stroke. A higher percentage of diabetic patients with stroke reported other comorbidities including hypertension, coronary artery disease, dyslipidemia, chronic respiratory disease, and osteoporosis as compared to those without stroke(all p's < 0.0001). The costs increased dramatically if diabetic patients developed comorbidities, including hypertension, CAD, dyslipidemia, CRD, and osteoporosis. Annual costs of medications were higher for diabetic patients with stroke and any types of comorbidity compared to diabetic patients without stroke (p <.0001, respectively). More types of drugs were used for diabetic patients with stroke and any types of comorbidity. Conclusions The needs of individuals with diabetes and stroke, including their comorbidity patterns and medical burdens, must be carefully taken into account. Health systems will need to address the increasing demand for diagnosing and managing comorbidities in individuals with diabetes and stroke.