The cost of treating diabetic ketoacidosis in an adolescent population in the UK: a national survey of hospital resource use

The health and budget impact of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) in the Netherlands

OBJECTIVES

Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) increases both the patient risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and renal outcomes, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recent clinical trials of the glucose-lowering drug-class of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have shown benefits in preventing CVD events and progression of CKD, leading to an update of the Dutch T2DM treatment guideline for patients at risk. The aim of this study is to assess the health and economic impact of the guideline-recommended utilisation of SGLT2is in the Netherlands.

METHODS

The patient population at risk was determined by multiplying Dutch T2DM prevalence rates with the total numbers of inhabitants of the Netherlands in 2020. Subsequently, two analyses, comparing a treatment setting before and after implementation of the new guideline for SGLT2is, were conducted. Clinical and adverse event rates in both settings as well as direct healthcare costs were sourced from the literature. Total costs were calculated by multiplying disease prevalence, event rates and costs associated to outcomes. One-time disutilities per event were included to estimate the health impact. The potential health and economic impact of implementing the updated guideline was calculated.

RESULTS

Using a 5-year time horizon, the guideline-suggested utilisation of SGLT2is resulted in a health impact equal to 4,835 quality adjusted life years gained (0.0031 per patient per year) and €461 million cost-savings. The costs of treatment with SGLT2is were €813 million. Hence the net budget impact was €352 million for the total Dutch T2DM population, which translated to €0,57 per patient per day.

CONCLUSION

SGLT2is offer an option to reduce the number of CVD and CKD related events and associated healthcare costs and health losses in the Netherlands. Further research is needed to include the benefits of improved T2DM management options from a broader societal perspective.

Length of Hospital Stay, Hospitalization Costs, and Their Drivers in Adults with Diabetes in the Romanian Public Hospital System

The aim of this analysis was to assess the costs associated with the hospitalizations of persons with diabetes in a Romanian public hospital. We performed a retrospective “top-down” cost analysis of all adult patients discharged from a tertiary care hospital with an ICD-10 primary or secondary code of diabetes mellitus (type 1, type 2, or specific forms) between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018. All costs were adjusted with the annual inflation rates and converted to EUR. We included 16,868 patients with diabetes and 28,055 episodes of hospitalization. The total adjusted hospitalization cost in the analyzed period was EUR 26,418,126.8 and the adjusted median cost/episode of hospitalization was EUR 596.5. The mean length of a hospital stay/episode was 7.3 days. In the multivariate regression analysis, higher adjusted average costs/episodes of hospitalization and longer lengths of hospital stays were associated with increasing age, the presence of cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and foot ulcerations. Moreover, a significant association between the average cost/episode of hospitalization and the length of hospital stay was observed (β = 0.704, p < 0.001). This study shows the burden on Romanian public hospitals of inpatient diabetes care and the main drivers of the costs.

The management of diabetic ketoacidosis in adults-An updated guideline from the Joint British Diabetes Society for Inpatient Care

This article summarises the Joint British Diabetes Societies for Inpatient Care guidelines on the management of ketoacidosis; available at https://abcd.care/resource/management-diabetic-ketoacidosis-dka-adults. The document explicitly states that when a person aged 16-18 is under the care of the paediatric team, then the paediatric guideline should be used, and if they are cared for by an adult team, then this guideline should be used. The guideline takes into account new evidence on the use of the previous version of this document, particularly the high prevalence of hypoglycaemia and hypokalaemia, and recommends that when the glucose concentration drops below 14 mmol/L, that de-escalating the insulin infusion rate from 0.1 to 0.05 units/kg/h should be considered. Furthermore, a section has been added to address the recognition that use of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors is associated with an increased risk of euglycaemic ketoacidosis. The management of ketoacidosis in people with end-stage renal failure or on dialysis is also mentioned. Finally, the algorithms to illustrate the guideline have been updated.

Psychosocial factors associated with repeat diabetic ketoacidosis in people living with type 1 diabetes: A systematic review

AIM

To systematically review the literature concerning the psychosocial factors associated with repeat diabetic ketoacidosis for people living with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

PsycInfo, Web of Science, CINAHL, PubMed and ASSIA were searched according to a registered study protocol (PROSPERO CRD42020167381). Data were extracted into a coding spreadsheet, and findings were synthesised narratively. Included papers were also subject to a quality assessment.

RESULTS

The search yielded 548 unique articles, of which 22 met inclusion criteria for this review. There was considerable variance across studies with regard to design, quality and outcome measured. Nevertheless, there was relatively consistent evidence to suggest that repeat diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes is associated with female gender, adolescent to young adult age range, lower socio-economic status and poor mental health. Some evidence was also observed for the role of ethnicity and, for children and young people at least, family, social and behavioural issues. However, this was limited by issues of methodological rigour and scant investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

The review identified four psychosocial factors that appear to play a key role in the cycle of repeat diabetic ketoacidosis. Individuals with these factors present may benefit from targeted support and interventions by specialist healthcare professionals. Knowledge and understanding in this area would be considerably enhanced via increased use of prospective study designs and greater consistency in the operationalisation of variables across studies.

Effective management of type 1 diabetes in children and young people

Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes among children and young people, and requires careful management to ensure that blood glucose levels stay as close as possible to the target range. Suboptimal management can lead to serious health consequences, including damage to various organs and body systems. Many children with type 1 diabetes are not diagnosed until they develop diabetic ketoacidosis, which is distressing and potentially life-threatening. This article provides an overview of the management of type 1 diabetes in children and young people, including the insulin replacement therapy and dietary management required. It also emphasises the importance of regular and ongoing monitoring of blood glucose levels, quarterly measurement of glycated haemoglobin, and the management of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia.

What psychosocial interventions work to reduce hospital admissions in people with diabetes and elevated HbA1c : a systematic review of the evidence

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a chronic condition that can lead to devastating complications if not managed effectively. Individuals with elevated HbA_1c are at higher risk of developing complications resulting in diabetes-related hospital admissions, an additional pressure and expense for healthcare systems.

AIM

To systematically review evidence of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions among individuals with elevated HbA_1c , as indicated by hospital admissions.

METHODS

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, AMED, Embase and Scopus) were used to identify studies systematically. Studies were screened against eligibility criteria and included if they evaluated the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention on diabetes-related hospital admissions in individuals with elevated HbA_1c . Risk of bias was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies, and a narrative synthesis was conducted.

RESULTS

Of 15 362 studies, five were included in the review. Psychosocial interventions were found to significantly reduce diabetes-related hospital admissions in four of these studies and interventions involving psychotherapy in particular were found to reduce admissions. The methodological quality of studies ranged from weak to moderate, due to lack of blinding, weak study design and issues with withdrawals and drop-outs.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychosocial interventions may reduce diabetes-related hospital admissions in individuals with elevated HbA_1c ; however, due to variability in methodological rigour, the conclusion remains tentative. Further research targeting this group, particularly within the adult population, is recommended. (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019133456).

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the most common acute hyperglycaemic emergency in people with diabetes mellitus. A diagnosis of DKA is confirmed when all of the three criteria are present - 'D', either elevated blood glucose levels or a family history of diabetes mellitus; 'K', the presence of high urinary or blood ketoacids; and 'A', a high anion gap metabolic acidosis. Early diagnosis and management are paramount to improve patient outcomes. The mainstays of treatment include restoration of circulating volume, insulin therapy, electrolyte replacement and treatment of any underlying precipitating event. Without optimal treatment, DKA remains a condition with appreciable, although largely preventable, morbidity and mortality. In this Primer, we discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors and diagnosis of DKA and provide practical recommendations for the management of DKA in adults and children.

Global and regional estimates and projections of diabetes-related health expenditure: Results from the International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas, 9th edition

AIMS

Diabetes and its complications have a significant economic impact on individuals and their families, health systems and national economies.

METHODS

The direct health expenditure of diabetes was calculated relying on the following inputs: diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes prevalence estimates, United Nations population estimates, World Health Organization health expenditure per capita and ratios of health expenditure for people with diabetes compared to people without diabetes.

RESULTS

The estimated global direct health expenditure on diabetes in 2019 is USD 760 billion and is expected to grow to a projected USD 825 billion by 2030 and USD 845 billion by 2045. There is a wide variation in annual health expenditures on diabetes. The United States of America has the highest estimated expenditure with USD 294.6 billion, followed by China and Brazil, with USD 109.0 billion and USD 52.3 billion, respectively. The age group with the largest annual diabetes-related health expenditure is 60-69 years with USD 177.7 billion, followed by 50-59 years, and 70-79 years with USD 173.0 billion and USD 171.5 billion, respectively. Slightly higher diabetes-related health expenditure is seen in women than in men (USD 382.6 billion vs. USD 377.6 billion, respectively). The same difference is expected to be present in 2030 and 2045.

CONCLUSIONS

There were large disparities between high-, middle- and low-income countries with total health expenditures in high-income countries being over 300 times those in low-income countries. The ratio for annual direct health expenditure per person between these groups of countries is more than 38-fold.

Recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis and a brief history of brittle diabetes research: contemporary and past evidence in diabetic ketoacidosis research including mortality, mental health and prevention

Pharmacological, technological and educational approaches have advanced the treatment of Type 1 diabetes in the last four decades and yet diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) continues to be a leading cause of admission in Type 1 diabetes. This article begins by reviewing the contemporary epidemiological evidence in DKA. It highlights a rise in DKA episodes in the last two decades, with DKA continuing to be the leading cause of death in young people with Type 1 diabetes, and that DKA episodes are a marker for subsequent all-cause mortality. It also summarizes the limited evidence base for DKA prevention and associations with psychopathology. To emphasize the importance of this group with high-risk Type 1 diabetes and the degree to which they have been overlooked in the past two decades, the article summarizes the research literature of recurrent DKA during 1976-1991 when it was extensively investigated as part of the phenomenon of 'brittle diabetes'. This period saw numerous basic science studies investigating the pathophysiology of recurrent DKA. Subsequently, research centres published their experiences of brittle diabetes research participants manipulating their treatment under research conditions. Unfortunately, the driver for this behaviour and whether it was indicative of other people with ketoacidosis was not pursued. In summary, we suggest there has been a stasis in the approach to recurrent DKA prevention, which is likely linked to historical cases of mass sabotage of brittle diabetes research. Further investigation is required to clarify possible psychological characteristics that increase the risk of DKA and thereby targets for DKA prevention.

Defining and characterising diabetic ketoacidosis in adults

AIMS

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains one of the most frequently encountered diabetes related emergencies, and despite updates in management and increasing standardisation of care, still has an appreciable morbidity and mortality. This review focusses on the pathophysiology and epidemiology of DKA, but also on the importance of having a standardised definition.

METHODS

Relevant data were reviewed where there was available basic science or clinical papers published in peer-reviewed international journals on DKA. These included consensus documents and national or international guidelines.

RESULTS

The prevalence of DKA varies around the world, but part of this could be down to the way the condition is defined. Examples of this difference include the recent studies on sodium glucose co-transporter inhibitors in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes which have all been associated with increased rates of DKA, but have highlighted how differences in definitions can make comparisons between agents very difficult.

CONCLUSIONS

DKA should only be diagnosed when all three components are present - the 'D', the 'K' and the 'A'. In addition, the definitions used to diagnose DKA should be standardised - in particular for clinical trials.