Trends in rates of hospitalisation for infection in people with diabetes and the general population.

AIM

To describe the trends of hospitalisation for infections in people with diabetes and in the general population.

METHODS

People with diabetes were identified from the Australian National Diabetes Services Scheme linked to hospitalisation datasets from 2010/11 to 2018/19. Data on hospitalisations in the general population were obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Joinpoint regression software was used to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) of rates.

RESULTS

The rate of hospitalisation for total infections increased with an APC of 2.6% (95% CI: 1.5, 3.7) among people with type 1 diabetes, 3.6% (2.6, 4.6) among people with type 2 diabetes, and 2.5% (1.3, 3.9) in the general population. Increasing rates were observed for sepsis, influenza, kidney infections, osteomyelitis, cellulitis, and foot infections in all groups. The rate of hospitalisation for urinary tract infection declined among people with type 2 diabetes though it was stable in other groups. The rate of hospitalisation for respiratory tract infections was stable among people with type 1 diabetes but increased in other groups. The rate of hospitalisation for gastrointestinal infection was stable in all cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Hospitalisation rates for infection have increased more rapidly over time in people with diabetes than in the general population.