Objectives: To find the evolution of consumption of self-analysis material used to control Diabetes (reactive strips of glucose) and the costs involved, in the metropolitan area of Málaga from July 1994 to the first quarter of 1996.
Design: Descriptive retrospective study.
Setting: Metropolitan area of Málaga (580, 586 inhabitants), which is divided in two HEALTH DISTRICTS: Málaga East and West.
Patients: All diabetics using reactive strips in the metropolitan area of Málaga which are charged to the National Health system.
Measurements and main results: The data base of the health districts of the metropolitan area of Málaga was used for the review of public prescriptions of reactive strips. Consumption in relation to the total population was analysed and the average consumption per diabetic was calculated. The total number of patients for whom reactive strips were prescribed increased considerably over the three years studied.
Conclusions: A considerable increase in consumption of glucose reactive strips was observed in recent years in the metropolitan area of Málaga, mainly because of its generalised use among elderly patients. Consumption of urine strips was small and tended to fall.