title: Outcomes of glycemic control in Hispanic geriatric diabetic patients admitted to a general ward community hospital in Puerto Rico.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent medical conditions among the Hispanic population. Although studies with patients in intensive care units have shown poor outcomes among those with uncontrolled glucose, more recent data have shown increased mortality associated with a tighter inpatient glucose control. In view of the lack of information regarding geriatric Hispanic patients with diabetes this study evaluated the effect of glucose control in the outcomes of this population in a community hospital in Puerto Rico.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through analysis of data from a previous study we evaluated 502 admissions of Hispanic geriatric patients with diabetes as comorbidity, for glucose control, management of diabetes and outcome. Data was stratified by age groups (65-74 years, 75-84 years and > or = 85 years) and outcomes were compared between the groups using chi-square and odds ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common admission diagnosis was pneumonia. Hypoglycemia was the most common complication and was associated with tighter glucose control in the age group of 75-84 years. An increased risk of having an acute coronary syndrome/acute myocardial infarction among uncontrolled patients was observed in the 75-84 year old group. Finally, although we found a high prevalence of uncontrolled blood glucose, only 54% of the patients received interventions for their glucose control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poor glucose control seems to be associated with a tendency for decreased risk of hypoglycemia and higher risk of acute coronary syndrome/acute myocardial infarction as complications among geriatric patients with diabetes admitted to a general ward.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico. miguel.maldonado5@rcm.edu
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maldonado-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pérez-López
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Torres-Torres
authors.forename: Erick
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Torres-Semprit
authors.forename: Ismenio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Millán-Aponte
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission; D011647:Puerto Rico; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose