Work

All-cause mortality risk following diabetic avoidable hospitalization among older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a nationwide retrospective cohort study in South Korea

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In South Korea, the prognosis of avoidable hospitalization in diabetes has not been evaluated, even though the incidence rate is considerably high compared to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development average. This study investigated the association between diabetic avoidable hospitalization after the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and short- and long-term all-cause mortality. METHODS: Participants were type 2 diabetes mellitus patients aged 60 years and older and gathered through the National Health Insurance Services Senior cohort data from 2008 to 2019. The outcome measures included five-year and overall period all-cause mortality. The main independent variable was the first-year experience of diabetic avoidable hospitalization after type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis. Regression analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard model. To enhance the robustness of the study results, a sensitivity analysis and inverse probability of treatment weighting method were conducted. RESULTS: Among 27 005 participants, 2099 (7.8%) died within five-year of type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis and 4693 (17.4%) died in the overall study period after type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis. Participants who experienced diabetic avoidable hospitalization one year after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus had a higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those who did not (inverse probability of treatment weighted, Five-year: hazard ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 1.14-1.36; Overall period: hazard ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.33-1.50). CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing accessibility and quality of primary care to prevent avoidable hospitalization in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is necessary.

Source: BMC Public Health

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-24273-z

Authors: Woo-Ri Lee, Sungyoun Chun, Noorhee Son, Yehrhee Son, Ki-Bong Yoo

Institutions: National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, National Cancer Center, Yonsei University

Language: English

Topic: Diabetes Treatment and Management

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,290