Related Experiment Videos
Major causes of diabetic death at one hospital
1Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Insights
Infection and cardiocerebrovascular disease are leading causes of death for diabetic patients. Strict glycemic control and infection prevention are crucial for reducing diabetic mortality.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a significant global health concern.
- Understanding the leading causes of mortality in diabetic patients is essential for effective healthcare strategies.
- Previous studies have highlighted various complications, but specific regional data is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the primary causes of death among diabetic patients at Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital (KMCH).
- To identify the contribution of diabetes mellitus as an underlying or contributory cause of death.
- To provide data that can inform strategies for reducing diabetic mortality.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of death certificates filed at KMCH between 1987 and 1990.
- Analysis of 151 death certificates from patients with diabetes mellitus out of 1,383 total deaths.
- Categorization of causes of death, including diabetes-related and other significant conditions.
Main Results:
- Infection (25.8%) and cardiovascular disease (18.5%) were the leading causes of death in diabetic patients.
- Cerebrovascular disease (11.3%) and uremia (8.6%) were also significant contributors.
- Diabetes was an underlying or contributory cause in these deaths; however, the cause of death was undetermined in 15.2% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Infection and cardiocerebrovascular diseases are the predominant factors contributing to mortality in diabetic patients.
- Strict glycemic control and intensive medical intervention for infections are imperative.
- Preventing diabetic angiopathy-related risk factors and complications is crucial for reducing diabetic mortality.
Abstract:
Death certificates filed between 1987 and 1990 at the Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital (KMCH) were reviewed to investigate causes of diabetic death. During this period, 1,383 patients expired at KMCH, of which 151 had diabetes mellitus. The major causes of death in these 151 diabetic patients were infection in 25.8%, cardiovascular disease in 18.5%, cerebrovascular disease in 11.3%, uremia in 8.6% and diabetic ketoacidosis in 1.3%, while diabetes was reported as the contributory or underlying cause of death. Malignancy in 12.0%, liver disease in 5.3%, trauma in 1.3% and upper gastroenteral bleeding in 0.7%, likewise, were among the leading causes of death irrespective of underlying diabetes. However, cause of death in 15.2% of these diabetic patients was undetermined. Our analysis revealed that infection and cardiocerebrovascular disease were the leading problems contributing to diabetic death. Therefore, reducing the risk of infection by strict glycemic control, intensive medical intervention in infection and the proper prevention of diabetic angiopathy-related risk factors and complications are imperative for the reduction of diabetic mortality in our patients.