Hospital in-patients with diabetes: increasing prevalence and management problems.
OBJECTIVE
To re-assess the prevalence, management problems, clinical outcomes and discharge summaries of hospital in-patients with diabetes.


METHODS
Case records of all patients occupying in-patient beds were audited on a single weekday in 2003 in a large urban hospital and repeated after 3 months. Data was compared with an identical audit 12 years previously.


RESULTS
Over 12 years the number of beds available for admission (1191) had reduced by 25% with a bed occupancy of 97%. Diabetes prevalence had increased from 7.0% to 11.1% (P < 0.01) (97% Type 2). Diabetes management was considered inappropriate in 29%, more than in 1991 (20%). After 3 months, discharge summaries had been completed on 75% of patients but diabetes was mentioned in only 53%.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of in-patient diabetes (11.1%) was over 50% greater and diabetes management was suboptimal in more patients than in 1991. In many length of stay was prolonged and almost half of the discharge summaries did not mention diabetes. These findings have major implications for service delivery and resource planning.
Wallymahmed
M E
ME
University Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool L9 1AE, UK. maureen.wallymahmed@aht.nwest.nhs.uk
Dawes
S
S
Clarke
G
G
Saunders
S
S
Younis
N
N
MacFarlane
I A
IA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health
D001786:Blood Glucose