Work

Diabetes self‐management education and its association with hospital admissions and premature mortality: A scoping review and meta‐analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased all‐cause hospital admissions and premature mortality. Diabetes self‐management education ( DSME ) is internationally recommended but its impact on reducing hospital admissions and premature mortality is unclear. This scoping review followed the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews and explores the relationship between DSME , hospital admissions and mortality in adults with type 2 diabetes. Core search terms for type 2 diabetes were combined with terms for DSME , hospital admission, and mortality. Searches were conducted on 10 January 2024, and checked in September 2025, across three electronic databases: CINAHL , MEDLINE , and EMBASE . No restrictions were applied regarding study design, quality, location, or sex. The search yielded 294 records from databases and 66 from manual searches; 42 met inclusion criteria. Evidence regarding hospitalisation was inconsistent, with heterogenous outcome definitions and frequent reporting of admissions as a reason for attrition. Meta‐analysis showed a non‐significant 9% reduction in admission risk among DSME groups. By contrast, meta‐regression found that whether mortality was reported as a primary outcome significantly moderated the treatment effect ( p = 0.0002), fully accounting for between‐study heterogeneity (τ 2 = 0; I 2 = 0%; R 2 = 100%). A final pooled analysis, restricted to studies with mortality as a primary outcome, demonstrated a ~45% reduction in mortality risk ( RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.47–0.63, p < 0.0001). DSME may offer a survival benefit for adults with type 2 diabetes, but current evidence does not support an association with reduced hospitalisation. Standardisation of DSME content and outcome reporting is essential to improve comparability.

Source: Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism

DOI: 10.1111/dom.70296

Authors: Gemma A. Lewis, David M. Hughes, Greg Irving, John Wilding, Kevin Hardy

Institutions: University of Liverpool, St Helens Hospital, Edge Hill University

Language: English

Topic: Diabetes Management and Education

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,380