Technology Use and Hospitalization Risk in Older Adults with and without Diabetes

TL;DR

Older adults with diabetes are more likely to be hospitalized and less likely to use certain digital health tools, but health technology use did not reduce hospitalization risk.

Contribution

The study reveals the relationship between diabetes status and digital health technology use in older adults and its association with hospitalization risk.

Findings

Older adults with diabetes had higher hospitalization rates compared to those without diabetes.

Diabetic participants were less likely to use computers, tablets, and telehealth services but more likely to refill prescriptions online.

Health technology use did not significantly affect hospitalization odds in either group.

Abstract

Hospitalizations are a significant concern among older adults with diabetes. Technology-related health, including online prescription refills, telehealth visits, and internet health information seeking, are becoming more prevalent, it is important to examine their impact on hospitalization risk. This study investigated the association between digital health technology use and overnight hospitalization in the past year among community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and older, with and without diabetes. We utilized the National Health and Aging Trends Study Round 13 (2023) dataset and the sample included 7,049 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and older categorized by diabetes status (n = 2,159 with diabetes, n = 4,890 without diabetes). Overnight hospitalization in the last year was reported by 508 (23.6%) of diabetic participants and 801 (16.4%) of non-diabetic participants (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that diabetes was significantly associated with increased odds of hospitalization (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.36–1.81, p < 0.001). Compared to those without diabetes, participants with diabetes were significantly less likely to use computers or tablets (p < 0.001) and telehealth services (p = 0.02), but more likely to refill prescriptions online (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between groups in using the internet to search for health information (p = 0.34). These findings show that older adults with diabetes are more likely to be hospitalized and less likely to use some digital health tools. Health technology use did not affect hospitalization odds, but further research is needed to explore its impact on outcomes in older adults with diabetes.