Visual Abstract
Objective: This study aims to examine impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalization frequency for hyperglycemic crisis in a tertiary care hospital compared to pre COVID era.
Methods: Patient data were obtained by query of ICD-10 codes for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemia syndrome (HHS) between Mar. to Dec. 2020 and compared to pre-COVID rates in the corresponding time period in 2019.
Results: There was 22% increase in number of hospitalizations with DKA/HHS in 2020 compared to 2019 (432 vs. 368). When computed as a proportion of total number of hospital admissions in 2019 compared to 2020 this difference increases to 40 percent (p <0.01), although total number of admissions in 2020 was 11% less than in 2019. The admissions with HHS doubled in 2020 compared to 2019. The number of DKA admissions increased by 14%. Increased number of hyperglycemic crisis observed mainly involved patients with T2DM. Mean weight was higher in COVID era (83.2 vs. 79.6 kg, p = 0.026). There was no statistically significant difference in the median HbA1c and mean length of stay between the two groups. Amongst patients with hyperglycemic crisis in 2020, 5.7% tested positive for COVID, 92% of whom had DKA.
Conclusion: This study found an increased number of hospitalizations with hyperglycemic crisis in COVID pandemic in 2020. Future healthcare planning should encompass moderating effects of pandemic on non-COVID related diseases.
A. Riaz: None. C. Gordner: None. A. Ehresman: None.
