ABSTRACT
Background: Hyperglycemia among hospitalized patients is a common finding as is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with an without a history of diabetes. An optimal control of blood glucose reduces complications in these patients. Although the national prevalence of diabetes in Chile is well know, data on its prevalence among hospitalized patients is scanty. Aim: To assess the prevalence of diabetes and its association with hospital evolution among patients admitted to a medical service of a public hospital. Patients and Methods: In a prospective study from august to october of 2006 period, the cause of admission and the presence of diabetes mellitus was registered for every patient admitted to the medicine service. Among diabetics, the type of diabetes and the length of disease was recorded. Patients were followed during hospital stay, registering length of hospitalization, complications and mortality. Results: A total of 367 patients were studied and 92 (26 percent) were diabetics. Among the latter, 96 percent had type 2 diabetes and the main causes of admission were cardiovascular diseases in 38 (40 percent), infections in 18 (19 percent) and acute complications of diabetes in 13 (13 percent). Hospital mortality among diabetic and non diabetic patients was 6 and 4 percent, respectively (p = NS). Complications during hospital stay among diabetic and non diabetic patients, occurred in 15 and 9 percent, respectively (p = 0.064). The length of hospital stay was 8.8 and 9.2 days in diabetic and non diabetic patients, respectively (p = NS). Those patients with a diabetes lasting for more than 10 years had a higher rate of complications. Conclusions: The prevalence diabetes mellitus among hospitalized diabetic patients is higher than registered in national statistics. Patients with a diabetes lasting more than 10 years have more complications during hospital stay.