Factors Affecting the Readmission of Patients with Type II Diabetes to Selected Hospitals in Kermanshah, Iran

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder and is considered as the sixth most common cause of mortality. Hospital readmission in patients with diabetes is important and can impose great costs on the health system. Therefore, this study investigated factors affecting the readmission of patients with type II diabetes to selected hospitals in Kermanshah, Iran, in 2012.
This was a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study on 140 patients with diabetes. The participants were selected through convenient sampling from Imam Khomeini, Taleghani, and Imam Reza Hospitals. The validity of the questionnaire used was confirmed through content validity method and its reliability through Cronbach's alpha (86%). Data were analyzed using chi-square test in SPSS software.
Findings: The results of chi-square test showed that hospital readmission had a significant relationship with the variables of sex, educational level, and occupation, number of children, present smoking status, smoking history, substance abuse, and history of disease.
This study provides a clear picture of the causes of hospital readmission for patients with diabetes. Previous studies have evaluated this phenomenon in general. However, this study presents a specific approach to patients with diabetes, thus allowing policy-makers to better plan for this group of patients in order to prevent much of the costs resulting from readmission.