Increase in hypoglycemic admissions: California hospital discharge data.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the percentage of diabetics admitted to the hospital due to hypoglycemia in 1990-1993 (period 1) to that in 1997-2000 (period 2).


METHODS
We analyzed data from the California Hospital Discharge Data Program. Eligibility included diabetic (ICD code 250) subjects aged > or =25 years old who were hospitalized due to hypoglycemia (ICD Codes 250.8) during the periods 1990-1993 and 1997-2000. Data were analyzed by demographics and health insurance status.


RESULTS
Of the 2,905,091 hospitalized diabetics, 50,017 (1.7%) were due to hypoglycemia. The percentage of hospitalization due to hypoglycemic varied by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and insurance status (P = .0001). Male, Hispanic, age 25-64 years, with Medical/Medicare insurance had higher odds of being hospitalized due to hypoglycemia relative to other groups (P < .001). The percentage of diabetics hospitalized due to hypoglycemia increased from period 1 to period 2 (1.3% vs. 2.0%, P = .0001). Diabetics hospitalized in period 2 had higher adjusted odds of being hospitalized due to hypoglycemia relative to those admitted in period 1 (OR = 1.6, P < .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show an increase in the hospitalization due to hypoglycemia in diabetic patients. Enhanced patient education about self-monitoring of blood sugar and recognizing and treating the symptoms of hypoglycemia may help to minimize hypoglycemic hospitalizations.
Asuncion
Merlyn M
MM
Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA. measunci@cdrewu.edu
Shaheen
Magda
M
Ganesan
Kalpana
K
Velasques
Joseph
J
Teklehaimanot
Senait
S
Pan
Deyu
D
Norris
Keith
K
D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge