Diabetic women: Inpatient mortality risk before SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major driver of mortality worldwide. To assess the risk factors associated with diabetes that increase in-hospital mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Hospital Morbidity with a sample of 3904 diabetic women admitted (2018–2019) in public hospitals, in Portugal. The type of comorbidities and the severity of the main disease – type 2 diabetes mellitus – was assessed based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) and Disease Staging. Cox proportional hazard was used to assess mortality during hospitalization. Mortality rates and mortality risk were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: In a total of 3904 diabetic women three hundred and eighty-nine (10.0%) died during hospitalization. Comorbidities bacterial pneumonia and coronary artery disease contributed 73% [Hazard ratio (HR) 1.73, 95% CI 1.32–2.27] and 37% [HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.03–1.81] respectively, to the risk of mortality, as did age over 65 years and severity 3 of the main disease. CONCLUSIONS: Women with advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus, advanced age, and with comorbidities such as pneumonia and coronary artery disease admitted urgently have a higher risk of mortality during hospitalization.