Patterns and Outcomes of Diabetic Admissions in a Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing globally. It also constitutes one of the common indications for admission into the medical wards of most hospitals. This study is aimed at examining diabetes –related admission and outcomes in a tertiary hospital located in a semi –urban community in Delta state, South-South Nigeria. A retrospective analysis of diabetes related admissions to the adult medical wards of Delta State University Teaching Hospital Oghara in Southern Nigeria between January 2010 and December 2012 was carried out using hospital discharge records of patients. A total of 953 patients were admitted into the medical wards during the period under review. Diabetes related admission accounted for 153(16.1%). The average age of subjects was 59.3+16.36 years. Indications for admission were uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (39.2%), diabetic foot syndrome (38.6%), hyperglycaemic emergencies(15.7%), and hypoglycaemia (6.5%). In-hospital diabetic mortality was 15% with patients admitted for diabetic foot ulcer accounting for 52.2% of deaths and 80% of those who left against medical advice. Diabetic foot ulcer with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus constituted the most common indication for admission of diabetes patients with prolonged hospital stay and high mortality in medical wards. It is important that factors responsible for this be identified and tackled in order to reduce hospitalization and mortality.

Keywords: diabetes, ward admission, outcomes