Socio-economic disparities in hospital care among Dutch patients with diabetes mellitus

Aim: Socio-economic status (SES) influences diabetes onset, progression and treatment. In this study, the associations between SES and use of hospital care were assessed, focusing on hospitalizations, technology and cardiovascular complications. Materials and Methods: This was an observational cohort study comprising 196 695 patients with diabetes (all types and ages) treated in 65 hospitals across the Netherlands from 2019 to 2020 using reimbursement data. Patients were stratified in low, middle, or high SES based on residential areas derived from four-digit zip codes. Results: Children and adults with low SES were hospitalized more often than patients with middle or high SES (children: 22%, 19% and 15%, respectively; p <.001, adults: 28%, 25% and 23%; p <.001). Patients with low SES used the least technology: no technology in 48% of children with low SES versus 40% with middle SES and 38% with high SES. In children, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) use was higher in high SES {CSII: odds ratio (OR) 1.54 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35-1.76]; p <.001; rtCGM OR 1.39 [95% CI 1.20-1.61]; p <.001} and middle SES [CSII: OR 1.41 (95% CI 1.24-1.62); p <.001; rtCGM: OR 1.27 (95% CI 1.09-1.47); p =.002] compared with low SES. Macrovascular (OR 0.78 (95% CI 0.75-0.80); p <.001) and microvascular complications [OR 0.95 (95% CI 0.93-0.98); p <.001] occurred less in high than in low SES. Conclusions: Socio-economic disparities were observed in patients with diabetes treated in Dutch hospitals, where basic health care is covered. Patients with low SES were hospitalized more often, used less technology, and adults with high SES showed fewer cardiovascular complications. These inequities warrant attention to guarantee equal outcomes for all.