Diabetes complications in Victoria 2001/02 - Summary

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Victorian summary

There were 43,884 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with average bed days of 8.67. Most of these admissions (95.08 per cent) were associated with long-term diabetes complications.

The admission rates for diabetes complications more than trebled between 1993-94 and 2001-02. Part of this increase was associated with changes in how hospital diagnoses were recorded in Victoria, and is indicative of improvements in data recording for long-term diabetes complications, rather than an absolute increase in hospitalisation associated with diabetes.

The distribution of long-term complications in 2001-02 (in terms of numbers of admissions) were renal complications (35.73 per cent) with an average of 6.76 bed days; ophthalmic complications (15.03 per cent) with an average of 4.52 bed days; and peripheral circulatory complications (11.41 per cent) with an average of 8.98 bed days.

Most short-term admissions for diabetes complications were associated with ketoacidosis. The average number of bed days for short-term diabetes complications in 2001-02 was 5.88.

The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in Victoria that represented repeat admissions in the financial year was 39.60 per cent. Almost half (47.12 per cent) of admissions in repeat attendees were associated with renal complications.

Metropolitan/rural summary

Admission rates for diabetes complications were higher in rural areas than in metropolitan Melbourne over the nine-year study period.

The highest admission rate for diabetes complications was Gippsland region (12.15 per 1,000 persons), whereas the lowest admission rate for diabetes complications was in the Eastern Metropolitan Region (6.09 per 1,000 persons).

The average number of bed days in metropolitan regions (7.44) was higher than for rural regions (6.04).

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Departmental regions and PCPs summary

The pattern of diabetes admission rates in each departmental region was not uniform across the nine-year study period, with large variations apparent across PCPs within regions (especially rural regions) (see Tables 221 and 222).

Barwon-South West Region and PCPs

• There were 3,488 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 6.93.
• While renal complications were the most commonly recorded complication in PCPs in the region in 2001-02, the region's admission rates for renal complications were significantly lower than the Victorian average. Admission rates for neurological complications and for ketoacidosis were higher than the Victorian average.
• The region had the highest admission rate for short-term diabetes complications. The region's admission rate for short-term diabetes complications (0.31 per 1,000 persons) was significantly higher than the Victorian average.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions in the financial year was 39.21 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attendee admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of admissions for diabetes complications under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 3.53 per cent, almost all of which were associated with long-term complications.

Grampians Region and PCPs

• There were 2,530 admissions for diabetes complications for 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 6.85.
• Admission rates for diabetes complications for two of the three PCPs in the region were among the highest in Victoria. The admission rate for Grampians Pyrenees was the second highest in Victoria, while the admission rate for Wimmera was the fourth highest.
• The region's admission rates for renal complications associated with diabetes were significantly higher than the state average, whereas admission rates for other complications were equivalent to or lower than the state average. Most admissions for short-term diabetes complications were associated with ketoacidosis.
• In common with the state profile, the region's admissions for short-term diabetes complications had fewer average number of bed days than those for long-term complications of diabetes. The average number of bed days for long-term complications of diabetes was 5.47, and ranged from 3.14 for renal complications to 10.24 for peripheral circulatory complications.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 55.34 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of diabetes admissions under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 1.70 per cent. Of those, almost all were associated with long-term diabetes complications.

Loddon-Mallee Region and PCPs

• There were 2,776 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 7.48.
• The region's admission rates for renal complications associated with diabetes were not significantly different than the state average. Admission rates for all other complications were equivalent to or lower than the state average. Most admissions for short-term diabetes complications were associated with ketoacidosis.
• The admission rates for long-term complications for two of the regions PCPs (Central Victorian Health Alliance and Southern Mallee) were among the lowest in Victoria.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 40.03 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of diabetes admissions under the Hospital-in-the-Home program related to long-term diabetes complications was 1.69 per cent.

Hume Region and PCPs

• There were 2,276 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 7.84.
• The region's admission rates for neurologic, peripheral circulatory complications, and other long-term complications associated with diabetes were significantly lower than the state average. Most admissions for short-term diabetes complications were associated with ketoacidosis.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 42.71 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of diabetes admissions under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 2.72 per cent, almost all related to long-term diabetes complications.

Gippsland Region and PCPs

• There were 3,572 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 4.49. The average number of bed days for the region was the lowest for all regions in Victoria.
• The admission rate for diabetes complications for the region was the highest for all regions in Victoria (12.15 per 1,000 persons). The admission rates for one PCP in the region (Central West) was the highest in Victoria. The admission rate for this PCP was 18.83 per 1,000 persons (18.06-19.64).
• The region's admission rates for renal complications were particularly high, at 6.71 per 1,000 persons, compared with a state average of 3.03 per 1,000 persons. Admission rates for the remaining long-term complications were either lower than the state average (ophthalmic complications and peripheral circulatory complications) or not significantly different from the state average (neurologic complications and other long-term complications).
• The region's admission rates for short-term diabetes complications were higher for females (0.37 per 1,000 persons) than for males (0.23 per 1,000 persons). The average number of bed days for long-term complications of diabetes was 4.51, compared with 4.26 for short-term complications. The region's average number of bed days for both long-term and short-term complications was fewer than the state average (7.01 and 5.88 respectively).
• More than half (62.15 per cent) of the region's 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications represented repeat admissions during the financial year. This was substantially higher than the state average (39.60 per cent), and represented the highest readmission rate for any of the regions. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications.
• The proportion of diabetes admissions under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 2.21 per cent. All related to long-term diabetes complications.

Western Metropolitan Region and PCPs

• There were 5,858 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 8.19. This was the highest average number of bed days for any region.
• The region's admission rate for diabetes complications for 2001-02 was 11.10 per 1,000 persons (10.82-11.39). Only one other region (Gippsland) had a higher admission rate. Within the region, admission rates for Brimbank/Melton were the third highest for all PCPs. Only two other PCPs (Central West and Grampians Pyrenees) had higher admission rates for diabetes complications.
• The region's admission rates for all long-term complications were significantly higher than the state average. Admission rates for all long-term complications were among the top three in Victoria when compared with all other regions. Most admissions for short-term diabetes complications were associated with ketoacidosis.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 32.01 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of admissions for diabetes complications under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 3.55 per cent, and almost all were associated with long-term complications.

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Northern Metropolitan Region and PCPs

• There were 7,165 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 7.94.
• The distribution of long-term complications, based on number of admissions, were renal complications (29.88 per cent); ophthalmic complications (18.98 per cent); and peripheral circulatory complications (14.95 per cent).
• The region's admission rates for all long-term complications were significantly higher than the state average for ophthalmic complications, peripheral circulatory complications and 'other complications'. The region's admission rates for ophthalmic complications and peripheral circulatory complications were higher than those for any other Victorian region. Most admissions for short-term diabetes complications were associated with ketoacidosis.
• The region's admission rate for short-term diabetes complications was among the lowest in Victoria, with only one region (Eastern Metropolitan Region) having a lower admission rate for short-term diabetes complications.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 33.35 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of admissions for diabetes complications under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 3.41 per cent, and almost all were associated with long-term complications.

Eastern Metropolitan Region and PCPs

• There were 6,215 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 7.37.
• The region's admission rate ratios for total diabetes complications were significantly lower than for Victoria for the entire nine-year study period. For all but one year (2000-01), admission rate ratios for total diabetes admissions for the Eastern Metropolitan Region were the lowest for all regions.
• Within the region, PCP admission rates for all admission for diabetes complications, and including both long and short-term complications, were lowest in Boroondara.
• The region's admission rates for most long-term complications for 2001-02 were significantly lower than the state average. The region's admission rates for renal complications and other complications were the lowest for all nine regions.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 29.85 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of admissions for diabetes complications under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 3.15 per cent, and almost all were associated with long-term complications.

Southern Metropolitan Region and PCPs

• There were 10,004 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average of 6.69 bed days. This was the greatest number of admissions for any of the nine regions.
• The region's admission rate ratios for total diabetes complications peaked in 1998-99. Admission rate ratios were significantly higher than the Victorian average from 1995-96 to 2000-01 inclusive. The rate ratio was significantly lower than the state average for the final year of the nine-year study period.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 41.83 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of admissions for diabetes complications under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 2.58 per cent, and almost all were associated with long-term complications.

Loddon-Mallee Region and PCPs

• There were 2,776 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 7.48.
• The region's admission rates for renal complications associated with diabetes were not significantly different than the state average. Admission rates for all other complications were equivalent to or lower than the state average. Most admissions for short-term diabetes complications were associated with ketoacidosis.
• The admission rates for long-term complications for two of the regions PCPs (Central Victorian Health Alliance and Southern Mallee) were among the lowest in Victoria.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 40.03 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of diabetes admissions under the Hospital-in-the-Home program related to long-term diabetes complications was 1.69 per cent.

Hume Region and PCPs

• There were 2,276 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 7.84.
• The region's admission rates for neurologic, peripheral circulatory complications, and other long-term complications associated with diabetes were significantly lower than the state average. Most admissions for short-term diabetes complications were associated with ketoacidosis.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 42.71 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of diabetes admissions under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 2.72 per cent, almost all related to long-term diabetes complications.

Gippsland Region and PCPs

• There were 3,572 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 4.49. The average number of bed days for the region was the lowest for all regions in Victoria.
• The admission rate for diabetes complications for the region was the highest for all regions in Victoria (12.15 per 1,000 persons). The admission rates for one PCP in the region (Central West) was the highest in Victoria. The admission rate for this PCP was 18.83 per 1,000 persons (18.06-19.64).
• The region's admission rates for renal complications were particularly high, at 6.71 per 1,000 persons, compared with a state average of 3.03 per 1,000 persons. Admission rates for the remaining long-term complications were either lower than the state average (ophthalmic complications and peripheral circulatory complications) or not significantly different from the state average (neurologic complications and other long-term complications).
• The region's admission rates for short-term diabetes complications were higher for females (0.37 per 1,000 persons) than for males (0.23 per 1,000 persons). The average number of bed days for long-term complications of diabetes was 4.51, compared with 4.26 for short-term complications. The region's average number of bed days for both long-term and short-term complications was fewer than the state average (7.01 and 5.88 respectively).
• More than half (62.15 per cent) of the region's 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications represented repeat admissions during the financial year. This was substantially higher than the state average (39.60 per cent), and represented the highest readmission rate for any of the regions. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications.
• The proportion of diabetes admissions under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 2.21 per cent. All related to long-term diabetes complications.

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Western Metropolitan Region and PCPs

• There were 5,858 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 8.19. This was the highest average number of bed days for any region.
• The region's admission rate for diabetes complications for 2001-02 was 11.10 per 1,000 persons (10.82-11.39). Only one other region (Gippsland) had a higher admission rate. Within the region, admission rates for Brimbank/Melton were the third highest for all PCPs. Only two other PCPs (Central West and Grampians Pyrenees) had higher admission rates for diabetes complications.
• The region's admission rates for all long-term complications were significantly higher than the state average. Admission rates for all long-term complications were among the top three in Victoria when compared with all other regions. Most admissions for short-term diabetes complications were associated with ketoacidosis.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 32.01 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of admissions for diabetes complications under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 3.55 per cent, and almost all were associated with long-term complications.

Northern Metropolitan Region and PCPs

• There were 7,165 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 7.94.
• The distribution of long-term complications, based on number of admissions, were renal complications (29.88 per cent); ophthalmic complications (18.98 per cent); and peripheral circulatory complications (14.95 per cent).
• The region's admission rates for all long-term complications were significantly higher than the state average for ophthalmic complications, peripheral circulatory complications and 'other complications'. The region's admission rates for ophthalmic complications and peripheral circulatory complications were higher than those for any other Victorian region. Most admissions for short-term diabetes complications were associated with ketoacidosis.
• The region's admission rate for short-term diabetes complications was among the lowest in Victoria, with only one region (Eastern Metropolitan Region) having a lower admission rate for short-term diabetes complications.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 33.35 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of admissions for diabetes complications under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 3.41 per cent, and almost all were associated with long-term complications.

Eastern Metropolitan Region and PCPs

• There were 6,215 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average number of bed days of 7.37.
• The region's admission rate ratios for total diabetes complications were significantly lower than for Victoria for the entire nine-year study period. For all but one year (2000-01), admission rate ratios for total diabetes admissions for the Eastern Metropolitan Region were the lowest for all regions.
• Within the region, PCP admission rates for all admission for diabetes complications, and including both long and short-term complications, were lowest in Boroondara.
• The region's admission rates for most long-term complications for 2001-02 were significantly lower than the state average. The region's admission rates for renal complications and other complications were the lowest for all nine regions.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 29.85 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of admissions for diabetes complications under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 3.15 per cent, and almost all were associated with long-term complications.

Southern Metropolitan Region and PCPs

• There were 10,004 admissions for diabetes complications in 2001-02, with an average of 6.69 bed days. This was the greatest number of admissions for any of the nine regions.
• The region's admission rate ratios for total diabetes complications peaked in 1998-99. Admission rate ratios were significantly higher than the Victorian average from 1995-96 to 2000-01 inclusive. The rate ratio was significantly lower than the state average for the final year of the nine-year study period.
• The proportion of 2001-02 admissions for diabetes complications in the region that represented repeat admissions during the financial year was 41.83 per cent. Admissions for renal complications featured prominently in repeat attender admissions, as did other long-term complications. The proportion of admissions for diabetes complications under the Hospital-in-the-Home program was 2.58 per cent, and almost all were associated with long-term complications.

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Comparison tables

Table 221 Comparison of total diabetes complications, long-term diabetes complications and short-term diabetes complications, by PCP, 2001-02

Table 222 Comparison of specific long-term diabetes complications, by PCP, 2001-02

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