Severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia (ketoacidosis, hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state) are common yet potentially preventable acute complications of diabetes. Our objectives were to use national data from OptumLabs® Data Warehouse, 2011-2020, to

  • 1) characterize trends in all-cause mortality among adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) experiencing emergency department visits or hospitalizations for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia;

  • 2) extend analyses through 2020 to assess the impact of the COVID-pandemic; and

  • 3) examine racial/ethnic and gender disparities in subsequent mortality adjusted for relevant patient characteristics.

Among 4,164 adults with T1DM experiencing hypoglycemia, 30-day and 1-year mortality increased from 0.5% to 0.9% and 4.7% to 6.1%. Among 49,931 adults with T2DM experiencing hypoglycemia, 30-day and 1-year mortality were stable at 2.1-2.0% and 16.2-16.1%. Among 4,698 adults with T1DM experiencing hyperglycemia, 30-day and 1-year mortality increased from 0.4% to 1.0% and 2.7% to 5.9%, respectively. Among 17,123 adults with T2DM experiencing hyperglycemia, 30-day and 1-year mortality increased from 2.5% to 3.0% and 11.5% to 13.1%. Table shows differences in mortality rates by age, race/ethnicity, gender. These results call for proactive engagement of high risk individuals experiencing severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia to reduce their risk of death.

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Disclosure

R.G.Mccoy: Consultant; Emmi. J.Herrin: Consultant; Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies. K.Swarna: None. R.J.Galindo: Advisory Panel; Sanofi, WW International, Inc., Research Support; Dexcom, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk. G.E.Umpierrez: Research Support; AstraZeneca, Dexcom, Inc., Novo Nordisk. S.Golden: Advisory Panel; Abbott Diabetes, Medtronic. P.J.O'connor: None.

Funding

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases grant number K23DK114497

© 2022 by the American Diabetes Association
2022
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