Rate and Predictors of 30-day Readmission following Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A US Analysis

Abstract

Context: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious endocrine emergency, associated with morbidity and mortality. Readmissions play a significant but sometimes preventable role in healthcare cost burden on the US. Objective: This study aimed to describe rates and characteristics of nonelective 30-day readmission among adult patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) hospitalized for DKA and also identify predictors of readmission. Methods: The study analyzed the 2018 Nationwide Readmission Database. DKA hospitalizations in patients with T1DM were classified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. We utilized chi-squared tests to compare baseline characteristics between readmissions and index hospitalizations. Multivariable Cox regression was employed to identify independent predictors of readmission. Following this, we developed a 30-day readmission risk scoring system based on independent predictors. Results: The 30-day all-cause readmission rate for DKA was 19.4%. A majority of patients (64.8%) had DKA as the principal diagnosis on readmission. Readmitted patients had a significantly higher mean age (35.3 vs 34.9 years, P =.018) and a higher proportion of females (52.8 vs 49.6%, P