OBJECTIVES : Peripheral lower-extremity (PLE) diseases are frequently identified in persons with diabetes and can contribute to higher hospitalization costs. Literature has not addressed the relationship between age and diabetes type on PLE-related hospitalization costs, which is the objective of this study.

METHODS : A retrospective analysis of the 2010 – 2012 National Inpatient Sample (NIS). PLE-related hospitalization was defined by discharge records with principal or secondary diagnosis of PLE. Hospitalization costs were obtained adjusting the total hospitalization charge by the hospital-specific cost-to-charge ratio and to 2012 dollars by medical CPI. Diabetes and comorbidities were identified by diagnosis, procedure and DRG codes. Age was classified as <65 (younger) or ≥65 years (older). A 2:1 stratified random matching was adopted for cohorts with and without diabetes. Generalized linear model (GLM) was used to analyze the association between diabetes type, age and PLE-related hospitalization costs.

RESULTS : CONCLUSIONS : Highest costs for PLE-related hospitalizations were found for younger persons without diabetes. While clinical literature has focused on patients with diabetes, special attention and care should be given to PLE patients age <65 years without diabetes.