Risk factors for hospitalization in people with diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine factors predicting hospitalization in people with diabetes.


METHODS
Two population-based groups with diabetes were examined at baseline (1980-1982), 4 years (1984-1986), and 10 years (1990-1992). The younger-onset group (n = 777) consisted of all persons diagnosed as having diabetes before age 30 years who were taking insulin, and the older-onset group (n = 542) consisted of a sample of persons diagnosed after age 30 years. At the 10-year examination, participants were asked if they had been hospitalized in the previous year. Factors from the 4-year examination were examined for their ability to predict hospitalization at the 10-year examination.


RESULTS
In the younger-onset group, 25.5% reported being hospitalized. In logistic models, glycosylated hemoglobin level (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.39 for a 1% increment) and hypertension (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.08-2.38) predicted hospitalization. Factors that were not significant included age, sex, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, body mass, smoking status, and alcohol consumption. In the older-onset group, 30.8% reported being hospitalized. In logistic models, only glycosylated hemoglobin level (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.06-1.29 for a 1% increment) predicted hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
Glycemic control is subject to intervention. Better control may decrease hospitalization among people with diabetes. Thus, there is considerable potential for reducing health care costs.
Moss
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Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53705-2397, USA. moss@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Klein
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Klein
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D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D002096:C-Peptide; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin