Risk of Acute Complications of Diabetes among People with Schizophrenia in Ontario

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a complex, chronic disease, associated with potentially devastating complications. The DM-complication rate may be increased among people with schizophrenia. This study evaluated the relationship between schizophrenia and risk of preventable, acute DM-complications. Using administrative data, a retrospective study assessed acute DM complications (emergency department visits or hospitalization for hypo- or hyperglycemia, and hospital admissions for infections) among Ontario residents ages 18-50 with schizophrenia and newly diagnosed DM between 1995 and 2005, comparing people with and without pre-existing schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia had a 74% greater risk of requiring a hospital visit for hypo- or hyperglycemia (HR =1.74, 95% CI 1.42-2.12) compared to those without. The risk was similar when the outcome included infection (HR=1.62, 95% CI 1.39-1.89). Outcomes remained significant after adjustment for baseline characteristics. Understanding this relationship will direct future studies assessing barriers to care, and implementation of individualized approaches to care for this population.MAS