Sex-based differences in glycaemic variability and clinical outcomes among older inpatients with type 2 diabetes: insights from the GLIMPACT study

Methods A retrospective study of patients with type 2 diabetes aged 65 or older, admitted to the Geriatrics Unit of Padua University Hospital between January 2018 and December 2020. We recorded sociodemographic data, blood tests, multidimensional geriatric assessments, hypoglycaemic episodes and GV. Linear regression was used to assess LOS, and Cox proportional hazards models to assess mortality. Results We enrolled 283 patients (59.7% females, median age 84.9 years). GV was significantly associated with LOS in the whole cohort (β = 0.194, 95% CI: 0.078–0.310, p = 0.001) and in females (β = 0.168, 95% CI:0.023–0.312, p = 0.023), and was also associated with one-year mortality in males (HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93–0.99), p = 0.017) and females (HR = 1.02, 95% CI:1.00–1.04, p = 0.020). Of note, GV was associated with a higher rate of two-year mortality only in females (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00–1.04, p = 0.019). Conclusion Elevated GV was associated with longer LOS and higher mortality, especially in females, suggesting that women with type 2 diabetes may benefit from early prevention and treatment optimisation.