Medications and medical expenditures for diabetic patients with osteoporosis in Beijing, China: A retrospective study

Aims This study aimed to clarify the changes in treatment regimens and medical expenditures in diabetic patients with osteoporosis. Methods We recruited 2,853,036 diabetic patients from the Beijing medical insurance database between 2016 and 2018. Among them, 406,221 patients also had osteoporosis. Clinical characteristics, treatment regimens, and medical costs were investigated in diabetic patients with and without osteoporosis. Results Diabetes and osteoporosis were most prevalent in participants aged 45–––84 years. Compared with diabetic patients without osteoporosis, those with osteoporosis were prone to developing comorbidities and diabetic complications. They often required multiple glucose-lowering drugs and had a higher rate of insulin use. Similarly, osteoporosis leads to an increased number of medications for non-hypoglycemia as well as higher healthcare costs. These medications and costs increased with the number of complications and comorbidities. Interestingly, from 2016 to 2018, although diabetic patients with osteoporosis took more drugs, medical costs were lower year by year. Conclusions Osteoporosis might contribute to a worse condition in diabetic patients, and this population often requires more medications with higher medical costs.