Impact of diabetes on human capital and quality of life

Abstract

The loss of human capital as a result of diabetes from the perspective of the patient and the patient's family is important. Several studies have demonstrated that having diabetes potentially presents employability problems. The increasingly common efforts to measure patients' health-related quality of life may represent a good source of data to enhance our understanding of the impact of diabetes on productivity. Health-related quality of life (HrQoL) is a multidimensional concept that includes physical function, social function, role function, mental health and general health perceptions. Such measurements can make tangible to physicians and patients the benefits of using pharmaceutical innovations. However, studies have shown impairment in the HrQoL occurs most clearly in patients suffering late-stage complications. Since the late stages of disease usually occurs after retirement in type 2 patients (the most common form), the measure of their work productivity may not be relevant under the concept of human capital. Retired patients with physical impairment may require the informal care of working-age family members and friends, or formal care provided by paid caregivers. Thus, in addition to direct measures of work productivity, the impact of diabetes and its treatment may require the measurement of caregivers' productivity. A longer duration of life free from diabetic complications can be expected to result in improved patients' (and their caregivers') HrQoL and work productivity. Thus, we can better appreciate the value of pharmaceutical interventions when we recognize their effectiveness in avoiding or delaying the onset of diabetes complications.

Citation

Summers, K. and Hayes, R. (2001), "Impact of diabetes on human capital and quality of life", Farquhar, I., Summers, K. and Sorkin, A. (Ed.) Investing in Health: The Social and Economic Benefits of Health Care Innovation (Research in Human Capital and Development, Vol. 14), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 315-322. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0194-3960(01)14012-6