Prevalence of hyperglycaemia without previously recognised diabetes mellitus in the emergency department and subsequent management: a retrospective cross‐sectional study

Background Australian hospital data on hyperglycaemia without previously known diabetes are lacking. Aims To determine the prevalence of hyperglycaemia without previously recognised diabetes among all patients screened in the emergency department (ED). Secondary aims are to describe the extent of haemoglobin A1c testing for evaluation of new diabetes, adequate glucose monitoring, treatment of significant hyperglycaemia and documented follow‐up plans. Methods Patients presenting to ED at the Alfred (tertiary hospital in Melbourne) have undergone screening random plasma glucose (RPG) with their first plasma biochemistry since 2015. Of the 16 268 adults screened from July to December 2015, a retrospective, cross‐sectional study was undertaken evaluating those with hyperglycaemia (RPG >7.8 mmol/L) but without previously recognised diabetes as determined from coding data. After patient records were reviewed to correct for coding errors, a nested cohort of 200 such patients were further evaluated. Glucose monitoring was deemed adequate if undertaken for ≥48 h. Significant hyperglycaemia (RPG >11 mmol/L) was considered appropriately treated if insulin/hypoglycaemic agents were prescribed. Documented follow‐up plans were acceptable if found in the discharge summary. Results Among all patients screened, 1178 had hyperglycaemia without coded diabetes. After adjusting for coding errors, the prevalence was 5.2%. Within the nested cohort, only 7.5% had a follow‐up haemoglobin A1c ordered, 9.5% underwent adequate glucose monitoring, 6.5% had appropriate treatment of significant hyperglycaemia and 2% had documentation of a follow‐up plan. Conclusions Hyperglycaemia without previously recognised diabetes is commonly seen and justifies ED screening. However, management of newly detected hyperglycaemia in these patients is suboptimal and requires improvement.