Hospitalization risks for patients with diabetes and solid-organ malignancy

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."