Clinical risk factors and social needs of 30-day readmission among patients with diabetes: A retrospective study of the Deep South

Introduction: Evidence is needed for 30-day readmission risk factors (clinical factors and social needs) among patients with diabetes in the Deep South. To address this need, our objectives were to identify risk factors associated with 30-day readmissions among this population and determine the added predictive value of considering social needs.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized electronic health records from an urban health system in the Southeastern U.S. The unit of analysis was index hospitalization with a 30-day washout period. The index hospitalizations were preceded by a 6-month pre-index period to capture risk factors (including social needs), and hospitalizations were followed 30 days post-discharge to evaluate all-cause readmissions (1=readmission; 0=no readmission). We performed unadjusted (chi-square and student’s t-test, where applicable) and adjusted analyses (multiple logistic regression) to predict 30-day readmissions.

Results: A total of 26,332 adults were retained in the study population. Eligible patients contributed a total of 42,126 index hospitalizations, and the readmission rate was 15.21%. Risk factors associated with 30-day readmissions included demographics (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, insurance), characteristics of hospitalizations (e.g., admission type, discharge status, length of stay), labs and vitals (e.g., highest and lowest blood glucose measurements, systolic and diastolic blood pressure), co-existing chronic conditions, and preadmission antihyperglycemic medication use. In univariate analyses of social needs, activities of daily living (p<0.001), alcohol use (p<0.001), substance use (p=0.002), smoking/tobacco use (p<0.001), employment status (p<0.001), housing stability (p<0.001), and social support (p=0.043) were significantly associated with readmission status. In the sensitivity analysis, former alcohol use was significantly associated with higher odds of readmission compared to no alcohol use [aOR (95% CI): 1.121 (1.008-1.247)].

Conclusions: Clinical assessment of readmission risk in the Deep South should consider patients’ demographics, characteristics of hospitalizations, labs, vitals, co-existing chronic conditions, preadmission antihyperglycemic medication use, and social need (i.e., former alcohol use). Factors associated with readmission risk can help pharmacists and other healthcare providers identify high-risk patient groups for all-cause 30-day readmissions during transitions of care. Further research is needed about the influence of social needs on readmissions among populations with diabetes to understand the potential clinical utility of incorporating social needs into clinical services.