Incidence, recurrence and cost of hyperglycaemic crises requiring emergency treatment in Andalusia, Spain.

AIMS: Hyperglycaemic crises (diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state) are medical emergencies in people with diabetes. We aimed to determine their incidence, recurrence and economic impact. METHODS: An observational study of hyperglycaemic crises cases using the database maintained by the out-of-hospital emergency service, the Healthcare Emergency Public Service (EPES) during 2012. The EPES provides emergency medical services to the total population of Andalusia, Spain (8.5 million inhabitants) and records data on the incidence, resource utilization and cost of out-of-hospital medical care. Direct costs were estimated using public prices for health services updated to 2012. RESULTS: Among 1 137 738 emergency calls requesting medical assistance, 3157 were diagnosed with hyperglycaemic crises by an emergency coordinator, representing 2.9 cases per 1000 persons with diabetes [95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.8 to 3.0]. The incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis was 2.5 cases per 1000 persons with diabetes (95% CI 2.4 to 2.6) and the incidence of hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state was 0.4 cases per 1000 persons with diabetes (95% CI 0.4 to 0.5). In total, 17.7% (n = 440) of people had one or more hyperglycaemic crisis. The estimated total direct cost was €4 662 151, with a mean direct cost per episode of €1476.8 ± 217.8. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycaemic crises require high resource utilization of emergency medical services and have a significant economic impact on the health system.

Incidence and care-related costs of severe hypoglycaemia requiring emergency treatment in Andalusia (Spain): the PAUEPAD project.

AIMS: Hypoglycaemia is a serious medical emergency. The need for emergency medical service care and the costs of hypoglycaemic emergencies are not completely known. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study using Public Company for Health Emergencies (EPES) data for hypoglycaemia in 2012. The EPES provides emergency medical services to the entire population of Andalusia, Spain (8.5 million people). Data on event type, onsite treatments, emergency room visits or hospitalization were collected. Medical costs were estimated using the public rates for healthcare services. RESULTS: From a total of 1 137 738 emergency calls that requested medical assistance, 8683 had a primary diagnosis of hypoglycaemia (10.34 per 10 000 person-years). The incidence of severe hypoglycaemic episodes requiring emergency treatment in the estimated population with diabetes was 80 episodes per 10 000 person-years. A total of 7479 episodes (86%) required an emergency team to visit the patient's residence. The majority of cases (64%) were addressed in the residence, although 1784 (21%) cases were transferred to hospital. A total of 5564 events (65%) involved patients aged > 65 years. Overall mortality was 0.32% (28 cases). The total annual cost of attending a hypoglycaemic episode was €6 093 507, leading to an estimated mean direct cost per episode of €702 ± 565. Episodes that required hospital treatment accounted for 49% of the total costs. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoglycaemia is a common medical emergency that is associated with high emergency medical service utilization, resulting in a significant economic impact on the health system.