Abstract
The financial burden of diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) in Australia remains inadequately understood. This study aimed to explore the direct costs and resource utilisation associated with DFD management, incorporating insights from healthcare professionals actively involved in the treatment of individuals with DFD. A three-step approach informed the economic evaluation. First, a systematic review identified existing Australian cost data. Second, semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals generated estimates of resource utilisation and addressed data source gaps. Third, a Markov model evaluated the costs of DFD management at both the individual and health system levels. The model included direct costs related to hospital admissions, outpatient/community visits, medications, diagnostics, wound care, offloading devices and amputation-related expenses. The average annual cost per patient for DFD management was AUD $44 691. The primary cost drivers were hospital admissions ($21 566), outpatient/community visits ($14 212) and wound debridement ($5918). The total cost to the Australian healthcare system in 2026 is estimated at AUD $3.08 billion, with projections reaching AUD $3.81 billion by 2030. This study provides essential cost estimates for DFD management at both the individual and health system levels, offering critical insights for policymakers seeking to optimise service delivery and improve patient outcomes in Australia.