Diabetes linked to SSIs in multiple surgical procedures

Editor's Note

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for surgical site infections (SSIs) for multiple surgical procedures, this study finds.

A meta-analysis of 94 studies found that diabetic patients having surgery were 50% more likely to develop SSIs compared to patients without diabetes.

Diabetes has been a recognized risk factor for infection after some procedures, but has been a source of debate for others. This study confirms that a broader range of procedures has increased risk of SSIs, including arthroplasty, breast, cardiac, and spine procedures.

a1 Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan a2 Division of Infectious Diseases, Wayne State University and Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan a3 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan Abstract OBJECTIVE To determine the independent association between diabetes and surgical site infection (SSI) across multiple surgical procedures.