# The impact of social determinants of health on diabetic gastroparesis: a retrospective analysis

## TL;DR

This study shows that social factors like poverty and loneliness worsen diabetic gastroparesis outcomes, leading to more hospitalizations and higher healthcare costs.

## Contribution

The study identifies loneliness, low income, rural residence, and obesity as key social determinants affecting diabetic gastroparesis severity and healthcare use.

## Key findings

- Low income was linked to increased complications and higher healthcare expenditure.
- Loneliness was found to be a significant aggravating factor for disease severity.
- Rural residence and obesity were associated with worsened outcomes and increased hospitalizations.

## Abstract

This study explores the importance of social factors, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), particularly poverty, on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), who developed gastroparesis. The analysis aimed to correlate social variables such as income, education, occupation, and loneliness with clinical outcomes and their association with clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization, using hospitalization frequency and symptom burden as proxy indicators of quality of life.

This retrospective observational study analyzed a subgroup of 50 patients with diabetic gastroparesis, selected from a larger cohort of 250 patients diagnosed with gastroparesis. Diabetic gastroparesis was confirmed via gastric scintigraphy. Demographic, clinical, and social variables were analyzed, and data collection was facilitated through a structured instrument using the software EpiInfo.

In this retrospective observational study, the majority of patients were obese females over 60 years of age, retired, and residing in rural areas. Loneliness emerged as a significant aggravating factor. Low income was associated with increased complications, frequent hospitalizations, and higher overall healthcare expenditure.

Diabetic gastroparesis is an underdiagnosed complication of T2DM, frequently worsened by social vulnerability. In this study, low income, rural residence, obesity and loneliness were identified as key social determinants modulating disease severity and healthcare utilization. Greater emphasis on addressing these SDOH is necessary to optimize outcomes and reduce hospitalization rates, insurance expenses, and overall healthcare burden (used herein as proxy indicators of reduced quality of life).