Hospital Readmission Risk and Risk Factors of People with a Primary or Secondary Discharge Diagnosis of Diabetes

Abstract

Hospital readmission among people with diabetes is common and costly. A better understanding of the differences between people requiring hospitalization primarily for diabetes (primary discharge diagnosis, 1°DCDx) or another condition (secondary discharge diagnosis, 2°DCDx) may translate into more effective ways to prevent readmissions. This retrospective cohort study compared readmission risk and risk factors between 8054 hospitalized adults with a 1°DCDx or 2°DCDx. The primary outcome was all-cause hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge. The readmission rate was higher in patients with a 1°DCDx than in patients with a 2°DCDx (22.2% vs. 16.2%, p < 0.01). Several independent risk factors for readmission were common to both groups including outpatient follow up, length of stay, employment status, anemia, and lack of insurance. C-statistics for the multivariable models of readmission were not significantly different (0.837 vs. 0.822, p = 0.15). Readmission risk of people with a 1°DCDx was higher than that of people with a 2°DCDx of diabetes. Some risk factors were shared between the two groups, while others were unique. Inpatient diabetes consultation may be more effective at lowering readmission risk among people with a 1°DCDx. These models may perform well to predict readmission risk.