[The use of hospital services by diabetic patients: study in an open population]

The results of a population based survey, carried on in a low income area of Mexico City, with a total population of 15,532 inhabitants, are presented. From these, 3,505 individuals were considered eligible (35-64 years of age and non pregnant women). A home interview was performed in 2,810 households (80.17%). Physical exam with oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 2,282 (65.10%) participants. A total of 340 patients were identified as type II diabetics (WHO criteria); 140 of them were males and 200 females. Impaired glucose tolerance (IG) was diagnosed in 376 subjects, 120 (12.78%) of whom were males and 256 (19.06%) females. Approximately three years after the first exam, an attempt was made to recontact all the participants. A home or telephone interview was obtained in 2,139 subjects; they were asked if they had been hospitalized in the past three years, their length of stay and the cause. Due to incomplete data 194 subjects were excluded from the analyses presented in this report. A total of 101 participants that had normal glucose tolerance were hospitalized (6.4%). Of the ones diagnosed as IG, 15 (5.45%) were hospitalized. Of the patients diagnosed as diabetics 31 (12.5%) were hospitalized. At least 30 per cent of this excess demand is potentially preventable, since it is related directly to decompensation of DM control. We identified the need to implement a mechanism for guaranteeing entrance of all patients diagnosed with IG to health facilities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)