Using Automated HbA1c Testing to Detect Diabetes Mellitus in Orthopedic Inpatients and Its Effect on Outcomes

作者：Ekinci Elif I^*; Kong Alvin; Churilov Leonid; Nanayakkara Natalie; Chiu Wei Ling; Sumithran Priya; Djukiadmodjo Frida; Premaratne Erosha; Owen Jones Elizabeth; Hart Graeme Kevin; Robbins Raymond; Hardidge Andrew; Johnson Douglas; Baker Scott T; Zajac Jeffrey D

来源：PLos One, 2017, 12(1): e0168471.

DOI：10.1371/journal.pone.0168471

Aims
The prevalence of diabetes is rising, and people with diabetes have higher rates of musculoskeletal-related comorbidities. HbA1c testing is a superior option for diabetes diagnosis in the inpatient setting. This study aimed to (i) demonstrate the feasibility of routine HbA1c testing to detect the presence of diabetes mellitus, (ii) to determine the prevalence of diabetes in orthopedic inpatients and (iii) to assess the association between diabetes and hospital outcomes and post-operative complications in orthopedic inpatients.
Methods
All patients aged >= 54 years admitted to Austin Health between July 2013 and January 2014 had routine automated HbA1c measurements using automated clinical information systems (CERNER). Patients with HbA1c >= 6.5% were diagnosed with diabetes. Baseline demographic and clinical data were obtained from hospital records.
Results
Of the 416 orthopedic inpatients included in this study, 22% (n = 93) were known to have diabetes, 4% (n = 15) had previously unrecognized diabetes and 74% (n = 308) did not have diabetes. Patients with diabetes had significantly higher Charlson comorbidity scores compared to patients without diabetes (median, IQR; 1 [0,2] vs 0 [0,0], p<0.001). After adjusting for age, gender, comorbidity score and estimated glomerular filtration rate, no significant differences in the length of stay (IRR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.79 +/- 1.07; p = 0.280), rates of intensive care unit admission (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.42 +/- 2.60, p = 0.934), 6-month mortality (OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.17-1.60, p = 0.252), 6-month hospital readmission ( OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.46-1.87; p = 0.828) or any post-operative complications (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.53-1.80; p = 0.944) were observed between patients with and without diabetes.
Conclusions
Routine HbA1c measurement using CERNER allows for rapid identification of inpatients admitted with diabetes. More than one in four patients admitted to a tertiary hospital orthopedic ward have diabetes. No statistically significant differences in the rates of hospital outcomes and post-operative complications were identified between patients with and without diabetes.

• 出版日期2017-1-6