Diabetes Related Foot Disease and Socioeconomic Disadvantage
Author Information
Author(s): Shan M Bergin, Caroline A Brand, Peter G Colman, Donald A Campbell
Primary Institution: Dandenong Hospital
Hypothesis
The study investigates the variation in rates of hospital separations for diabetes related foot disease (DRFD) in relation to socioeconomic status.
Conclusion
There is significant variation in hospital separations for diabetes related foot disease across different socioeconomic strata.
Supporting Evidence
- Total hospital separations for Group A were 2,268 compared to 2,734 for Group B.
- Foot ulceration rates were higher in Group A (18.1/1,000) than in Group B (12.7/1,000).
- Below knee amputation rates were also higher in Group A (7.4/1,000) compared to Group B (4.1/1,000).
- 66.2% of all separations in Group A were recorded by males.
- 81.0% of all separations in Group B were recorded by males.
- Males in Group A had a mean age of 53 years, while those in Group B had a mean age of 68.7 years.
Takeaway
People with diabetes who live in poorer areas tend to go to the hospital more for foot problems than those in richer areas.
Methodology
The study compared hospital separation rates for diabetes related foot disease between local government areas ranked by socioeconomic disadvantage.
Participant Demographics
Males accounted for a higher percentage of hospital separations, with younger males in the more disadvantaged group.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95%CI 1.3, 1.6; 95%CI 1.5, 2.2
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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