Hospitalization of elderly diabetic patients: characteristics, reasons for admission, and gender differences

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding the differences in characteristics, gender, and common causes for admission in hospitalized elderly diabetic patients provides a theoretical basis for their successful management. This study explored the reasons and gender differences in hospitalizations of elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.MethodsPatients aged ≥60 years who had received a diagnosis of diabetes by the time of discharge, from 1 January 2011 to 1 January 2014, were retrospectively enrolled. Hospitalization data of the patients were collected, and reasons for hospitalization were analyzed based on chief complaints and principle diagnosis.ResultsThe most frequent reasons stated for admission were related to the chronic complications of diabetes (42.1 %), seconded by hyperglycemia (26.4 %) and infection (15.7 %). Ketonuria, ketonemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis was more commonly seen in women than men, whereas diabetic nephropathy and neoplasms were more frequently found in men than women. Regarding infection as a cause of hospitalization, the 4 main types were respiratory tract (44.5 %), urinary tract (20.3 %), gastrointestinal (14.8 %), and skin and soft tissue (10.9 %). Respiratory tract infection was significantly more common in men (61.4 %) than women (31 %, P = 0.001), whereas urinary tract infection was more frequent in women (29.6 %) than men (8.8 %, P = 0.004).ConclusionThe most frequent reasons for hospital admission in elderly diabetic patients were chronic complications of diabetes, hyperglycemia, and infection. Men and women differed in reasons for hospital admission.

Prevalence and predictors of polypharmacy prescription among type 2 diabetes patients at a tertiary care department in Ningbo, China: A retrospective database study

“…In T2DM, the core management strategy is to control blood glucose and prevent or manage vascular complications [27]. Similar to our study, in China, the management of uncontrolled blood glucose levels and T2DM complications (if any) are often the two main reasons for hospitalisation of T2DM patients [33]. During their stay at the hospital, the management strategy can be different and may involve multiple essential medicines for treating complex and severe conditions.…”

Urinary tract infections in a geriatric sub-acute ward-health correlates and atypical presentations

“…These can also be important predictors for worse outcomes [ 1 ]. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial disease in older people [ 2 ], and are associated with a high probability of hospitalization especially in case of concomitant chronic diseases [ 3 ].…”

Hospitalization of Diabetic Patients: Characteristics, Reasons for Admission: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary University Hospital

“…In a study with a geriatric patient group, the reasons for hospitalization of the patients; chronic complications, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, neoplasms, infections, diabetic ketoacidosis and other diseases. The most common reason has been shown as chronic complications (7). In a study by Kardas and Ratajczyk-Pakalska, the most common reasons for admission to hospital were cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (8).…”