A recent study of national data has revealed alarming disparities in mortality rates between patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and type 1 diabetes (T1D) who are hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The study, conducted by Dr. Shellsea Portillo Canales of St. Louis University Hospital, found that the mortality rate for T2D patients with DKA was significantly higher at 0.85% compared to 0.2% for T1D patients with DKA (PLength of Stay and Hospital Charges
In addition to higher mortality rates, patients with T2D and DKA also experienced a longer length of stay in the hospital and incurred higher hospital charges compared to their T1D counterparts. The study found that T2D patients had an average length of stay of 3.81 days, while T1D patients stayed an average of 2.97 days (PAddressing Disparities and Improving Patient Outcomes
Dr. Portillo Canales emphasized the importance of personalized care approaches tailored to the specific needs of patients with different types of diabetes. The study’s findings call for targeted healthcare strategies to address the disparities in mortality rates, length of stay, and hospital charges observed between T2D and T1D patients with DKA. By understanding the unique challenges faced by T2D patients, healthcare providers can implement interventions that improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of DKA on the healthcare system.
The study also identified several factors contributing to the disparities between T2D and T1D patients with DKA. Patients with T2D were more likely to have comorbidities or complications, such as hypertension, obesity, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, compared to T1D patients (P