OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is the third-most expensive physical health condition among US employees. We sought to evaluate the contribution of hypoglycemia to these costs. METHODS: We studied 2664 employees using insulin for whom medical encounters and short-term disability (STD) records were available. RESULTS: Among these employees, 442 (16.6%) had a diagnosis of hypoglycemia during an average follow-up of 2.5 years. The risk of hospitalization and emergency room visits was increased twofold in this group. Much of this excess was associated with hypoglycemia. The annualized medical cost of hypoglycemia was $3241. Patients with hypoglycemia had 77% more STD days annually. The risk of STD in the week after hypoglycemia was increased fivefold. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that hypoglycemia contributes substantially to medical care utilization and to disability-related work absence among employees using insulin.
OBJECTIVE:Diabetes is the third-most expensive physical health condition among US employees. We sought to evaluate the contribution of hypoglycemia to these costs. METHODS: We studied 2664 employees using insulin for whom medical encounters and short-term disability (STD) records were available. RESULTS: Among these employees, 442 (16.6%) had a diagnosis of hypoglycemia during an average follow-up of 2.5 years. The risk of hospitalization and emergency room visits was increased twofold in this group. Much of this excess was associated with hypoglycemia. The annualized medical cost of hypoglycemia was $3241. Patients with hypoglycemia had 77% more STD days annually. The risk of STD in the week after hypoglycemia was increased fivefold. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that hypoglycemia contributes substantially to medical care utilization and to disability-related work absence among employees using insulin.
Authors: Kenneth D Mandl; Marion McNabb; Norman Marks; Elissa R Weitzman; Skyler Kelemen; Emma M Eggleston; Maryanne Quinn Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 2013-12-19 Impact factor: 4.497
Authors: Won Chul Ha; Su Jin Oh; Ji Hyun Kim; Jung Min Lee; Sang Ah Chang; Tae Seo Sohn; Hyun Shik Son Journal: Diabetes Metab J Date: 2012-08-20 Impact factor: 5.376
Authors: J E Signorovitch; D Macaulay; M Diener; Y Yan; E Q Wu; J-B Gruenberger; B M Frier Journal: Diabetes Obes Metab Date: 2012-11-22 Impact factor: 6.577