Open AccessFactors associated with prolonged length of stay in patients admitted with severe hypoglycaemia to a tertiary care hospital
Author(s) -
Chua Jia Min,
Lim Weiying,
Bee Yong Mong,
Goh SuYen,
Edmund Chan Tick Chia,
Andrew Tan Xia Huang,
Wee Zongwen,
Xin Xiaohui,
Ang Li Chang,
Heng Wee May,
Teh Ming Ming
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2398-9238
DOI - 10.1002/edm2.62
Subject(s) - medicine , renal function , diabetes mellitus , comorbidity , charlson comorbidity index , gastroenterology , pediatrics , endocrinology
Summary Severe hypoglycaemia carries considerable morbidity and potential mortality. We aim to elucidate the factors which were associated with a prolonged length of stay (LOS) among patients with diabetes who were admitted to the hospital with severe hypoglycaemia. Three hundred and four patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 70.6 ± 11.3 years, mean glycated haemoglobin of 6.9 ± 1.3% and median LOS of 3 days. Patients with a LOS >3 days had significantly higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (4.9 ± 2.1 vs 4.1 ± 2.1, P < 0.01), a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (34.6 ± 31.4 mL/min vs 44.8 ± 28.9 mL/min, P = 0.01) and a higher proportion of these patients suffered from recurrent hypoglycaemia during the admission (38.9% vs 27.7%, P = 0.04). In addition, they had higher white cell counts (11.1 ± 4.8 × 10 9 /L vs 9.3 ± 3.2 × 10 9 /L) and lower albumin concentrations (32.9 ± 6.6 g/L vs 36.8 ± 4.9 g/L). Bivariate analysis showed that the same factors were associated with prolonged LOS. Identification of risk factors associated with prolonged LOS provides the opportunity for intervention to reduce the LOS and improve the outcomes for these patients.