A Community-based Study of the Willingness to Pay Associated with Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy among Type 2 Diabetes in Kinmen, Taiwan

BACKGROUND: In Taiwan, there were few population-based studies of WTP values related to DR screening among persons with type 2 diabetes. This community-based study was to explore the willingness-to-pay (WTP) values for screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR) associated with varying degrees of DR among persons with type 2 diabetes in Kinmen, Taiwan. METHODS: A total of 725 eligible community-dwelling adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes received DR screening during 1999-2002 and then evaluated WTP values in 2003. Diagnosis of DR was performed by a panel of ophthalmologists using ophthalmoscopy and a 45-degree color retinal photographs to examine fundus after dilating pupils. WTP values were measured by discrete-choice method. RESULTS: The 406 adults with type 2 diabetes participating in the WTP survey had a 56% response rate. Of 406 subjects, 265 (65.3%) said they would be willing to pay for DR screening to reduce blindness. The overall mean WTP value was New Taiwan Dollars 468.9±327.7 (US dollars 14.3±10.0). Age was borderline significant (p=0.07) related to WTP values. Those with severe stage DR had higher WTP values for screening than subjects with mild stage. CONCLUSIONS: Degree of DR was the independent factor affecting WTP values in DR screening among community-dwelling adults with type 2 diabetes.