Hospital admissions trends for severe hypoglycemia in diabetes patients in Spain, 2005 to 2015.

AIMS

To analyze hospital admissions trends, inpatient mortality, and mean length of hospital stay due to hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes in Spain from 2005 to 2015.

METHODS

National Institute of Statistics provided information on hospital discharge and mortality. Hospital admissions due to severe hypoglycemia were identified using ICD-9 codes. Age-adjusted admission and mortality rates were stratified by sex and year. Joinpoint regression models were used to estimate trends.

RESULTS

Admissions rates per 100,000 population were higher for men than women in 2005 (30.2, 95%CI:29.3, 31.0 versus 21.5, 95%CI:20.9, 22.1) and 2015 (23.7, 95%CI:23.0, 24.4 versus 13.2, 95%CI:12.7, 13.6). Mortality per 100,000 population was also higher for men in both years (2005: 9.4, 95%CI:7.8, 11.0 versus 8.6, 95%CI:7.4, 9.8; 2015: 6.4, 95%CI:5.3, 7.6 versus 4.1, 95%CI:3.3, 4.8). Mortality dropped 5.2 percentage points annually (95%CI:-8.4, -1.9) in men and 7.0 percentage points annually (95%CI:-8.7, -5.2) in women from 2005 to 2015. Mean length of hospital stay changed only for women: 7.8 days (95%CI:7.5, 8.0) to 6.7 days (95%CI:6.4, 6.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital admissions and inpatient mortality due to hypoglycemia in diabetes patients decreased from 2005 to 2015. This trend was more pronounced in women. Mean length of hospital stay decreased in women.