Hospitalization risks for patients with diabetes and solid-organ malignancy

Future Science Group (FSG) today announced the publication of a new article in Future Science OA examining the effects of diabetes on hospitalization risk, chances of multiple admissions, and length of hospitalization stay, for patients suffering from solid-organ malignancies such as breast, colorectal, lung and pancreas, among others.

Presence of diabetes mellitis is understood to be associated with an increased risk of onset of, and mortality owing to, solid-organ malignancy. In addition, hyperglycemia has been linked with mortality. What's more, both diabetes and cancer place a high economic burden on healthcare systems. However, data concerning interactions between diabetes, solid-organ malignancy and hospitalization are lacking.

The study saw the group, from Mayo Clinic (AZ, USA), utilize their institutional cancer registry to identify 4620 patients with solid-organ malignancy meeting their criteria, of which 732 had a coexisting diabetes diagnosis. Hospitalizations and multiple hospitalizations were significantly more frequent among patients with diabetes, and hospital stay was also half a day longer on average.

"This is the first analysis to determine that DM coexisting with solid-organ malignancies is associated with risk of hospitalization and multiple hospitalizations," commented Nina Karlin, corresponding author. "Such findings are thought-provoking and have significant economic implications. Further study is needed so that mitigating strategies can be developed."

"With the dramatic economic and health impacts of both diabetes and solid-organ malignancy, the lack of literature examining these factors together is surprising," commented Francesca Lake, Managing Editor. "There is clearly a need for further understanding of the interplay between these diseases, both to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare resources."

Source: Future Science Group