Frequency and cost of hospitalization for hypoglycemia in France in 1995

Objectives: Diabetes is a highly prevalent chronic disease causing serious complications. Hypoglycemia is the most frequent, the most serious, and the most feared by patients and families. Hospitalization may be necessary and can be costly. The main objective of this study was to determine the numbe r of cases of hypoglycemia cared for annually in France in an inpatient set ting and to estimate the annual financial impact of hospitalizations. Patients and methods: The number of hypoglycemias seen annually by physicia n s in France and the frequencies of hospitalizations for hypoglycemia were determined from a literature search. Complementary data on costs were obta ined from the national PMSI mission. Our sample included 817 hospital stays between 1994 and 1995. Results: In 1992, physicians in France cared for 40,000 episodes of hypogly cemia. There were 10,800 hospitalizations. In 9 out of 10 cases, the hospit al stay lasted several days and, despite hospitalization, 1.9% of the patie nts died. Mean total medical cost of a hospital stay for hypoglycemia was 1 4,000 FF ($2,100) (median 10,000 FF, range 1,200-120,000 FF). Mean length o f stay was 6.6 days. Discussion: Mean unit cost for hospital stays for hypoglycemia is high. Bas ed on the 1993 SESI survey, the probable annual cost for the society for ho spital care of patients with hypoglycemia was an estimated 108 to 151 milli on FF ($16-22 million) in 1995. This figue only takes into account the visi ble cost of caring for hypoglycemia patients. Ambulatory care was not taken into consideration. Education. for the patient and family, is fundamental for the prevention and treatment of hypoglycemia. Conclusion: It is important to have this estimation due to the absence of a medicoeconomic study on ambulatory and hospital care for hypoglycemia. Com plementary studies should be conducted to estimate the total annual cost of hypoglycemia in France.