Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Increased hospital expenditures in diabetic patients hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases
Florentino Carral1, Manuel Aguilar, Gabriel Olveira
1Endocrinology Service of the Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain. florencarral@hotmail.com
Objectives:
To measure the impact of diabetes on hospital resource use and expenditures in patients hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Research Design And Methods:
We conducted an observational study of 4865 hospitalizations for CVD over 2 years (January 1998 to December 1999). Information with respect of the presence of diabetes mellitus, length of stay, readmissions, mortality, and costs were obtained through retrospective chart review.
Results:
Diabetic patients accounted for 35.1% of hospital admissions (1706 admissions), 40.8% of hospital stays (23,309 days), and 39% of direct medical cost (5,735,884 euros). On average, diabetic patients had longer hospital stay (13.6+/-13.2 vs. 10.7+/-11.2 days; P<.001) and direct in-patient cost (3438+/-4308 vs. 2513+/-3384 euros; P<.001) and experienced more readmissions (relative risk: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.45-1.91) compared with nondiabetic patients. However, despite the hospital mortality rate being higher in nondiabetic patients (6.3% vs. 5.8%), these results were not statistically significant (relative risk: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.86-1.40).
Conclusions:
Diabetic patients hospitalized for CVD have longer hospital stay, greater risk of short-term readmission, and are more costly than nondiabetic patients. However, in-hospital mortality risk in patients hospitalized by CVD is no greater in diabetic than in nondiabetics.
Related Concept Videos
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
Hyperglycemia
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Nephropathy