Report on Racial Disparities in Hospitalized Patients with Hyperglycemia and Diabetes

A higher prevalence of diabetes-related complications is reported in minority populations; however, it is not known if there are racial disparities in diabetes care and outcomes in hospitalized patients.

Our objective was to determine the association between hyperglycemia, in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (non-DM), and complications among different racial groups.

This observational study compared the frequency of hyperglycemia (blood glucose ≥ 180 mg/dL; 10 mmol/L) and DM and hospital complications between Black and White patients hospitalized patients between January 2012 and December 2013.

Adults admitted to medical and surgery services in two academic hospitals were included in this study.

Among 35 866 patients, there were 14 387 Black (40.1%) and 21 479 White patients (59.9%). Blacks had a higher prevalence of hyperglycemia (42.3% vs 36.7%, P < .0001) and DM (34.5% vs 22.8%, P < .0001) and a higher admission rate and mean daily blood glucose (P < .001). Blacks also had higher rates of complications (22.2% vs 19.2%, P < .0001), both in patients with DM (24.7 vs 22.9%, P = .0413) and non-DM with hyperglycemia (41.2% vs 37.2%, P = .0019). Using sequential modelling adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, and insurance coverage, non-DM Blacks with normoglycemia (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.35) and non-DM Blacks with hyperglycemia (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.33) had higher number of complications compared to Whites.

Black patients have higher rates of hyperglycemia and diabetes, worse inpatient glycemic control, and greater frequency of hospital complications compared to Whites. Non-DM Blacks with hyperglycemia are a particularly vulnerable group. Further investigation is needed to better understand factors contributing the racial disparities in the hospital.