Correlation Between Diabetes Prevalence and ICU/Hospital Stay Across Studies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors

  • MD PhD Candidate David D. Araujo University of São Paulo image/svg+xml , Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo , University of São Paulo Faculty of Medicine Clinics Hospital image/svg+xml Author
  • MD Gustavo Dantas Author
  • PhD Suely P. Zeferino Author
  • Luís Fernando de Vasconcelos Sousa Author
  • BSc Daniel Cruz Author
  • PhD Fábio Biscegli Jatene Author
  • PhD Filomena B. Galas Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65539/096nfx84

Keywords:

Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiopulmonary Bypass, Length of Stay

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus elicits considerable concern regarding perioperative outcomes in cardiac surgery. This systematic review endeavors to elucidate the impact of diabetes on ICU and hospital length of stay (HLOS) following extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in cardiac surgery.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted, targeting clinical trials published between 2004 and 2024. The primary outcome assessed was the correlation between the proportion of diabetic patients and ICU length of stay. Secondary outcomes included the correlation between the proportion of diabetic patients and HLOS, as well as the relationships between the proportion of diabetic patients and ICU length of stay with mean age, sex distribution, and BMI. Weighted correlation analyses were employed.

Results: Thirteen studies (1,588 patients) were included. The weighted correlation between the proportion of diabetic patients and ICU length of stay was -0.176 (p=0.574, power=0.96), indicating a weak and non-significant correlation. Nine studies (925 patients) analyzed HLOS, revealing a weak but statistically significant negative correlation (-0.2545, p=0.002). The mean age of patients was 64.70 years, which did not significantly affect ICU length of stay (coefficient = 0.0652, p=0.506). Sex distribution showed 24.98% female and 75.02% male participants, with significant differences (chi-square = 38.764, p<0.01). BMI analysis showed a mean BMI of 27.21, which also did not significantly impact ICU length of stay (coefficient = -0.2049, p = 0.757).

Conclusions: Diabetes does not significantly impact ICU length of stay but is associated with shorter hospital stays. This unexpected finding warrants further investigation, especially considering the low power of the HLOS analysis due to sample size reductions. Significant differences in sex distribution across studies highlight the need to consider sex as a variable in future research. Although age and BMI were not significant factors in ICU length of stay, they remain important for postoperative outcomes. Future research should address these limitations to enhance the reliability of findings and improve care for diabetic patients postoperatively.

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Author Biography

  • MD PhD Candidate David D. Araujo, University of São Paulo, Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, University of São Paulo Faculty of Medicine Clinics Hospital

    David Duarte de Araújo is a multidisciplinary researcher and professional, currently a medical student at the University of São Paulo (USP) and a participant in the doctoral program in anesthesiology. His academic and scientific work focuses on investigating the use of virtual reality as an adjuvant therapy in the postoperative period of cardiac surgeries, with particular emphasis on his work at the Heart Institute (InCor). His research aims to integrate technological innovation and clinical advances to improve outcomes and reduce opioid consumption in hospital settings.

    David has a broad academic background, including a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP), postgraduate studies at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), and an MBA in Human Resources Management from Dublin Business School. This interdisciplinary foundation is complemented by a solid professional trajectory, with experience in leading multinational companies, where he held strategic positions in management and leadership. In addition, his international experience includes an academic internship in France, focusing on technologies applied to anesthesiology.

    Fluent in several languages, David is a polyglot, which facilitates his work in multicultural environments and his participation in international collaborative projects. He is the author of scientific publications and has taken part in renowned events, such as the Brazilian Congress of Intensive Care Medicine, where he presented relevant work in the fields of anesthesiology and intensive care medicine.

    By combining skills in management, scientific research, and technological innovation, David seeks to contribute to the advancement of medical science by aligning sustainable solutions with direct clinical impact. His trajectory reflects a strong commitment to excellence, innovation, and the promotion of patient well-being.

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Published

2026-08-01

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Harvard Medical Student Review: Issue 11 – 2026

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 MD PhD Candidate David D. Araujo, MD Gustavo Dantas, PhD Suely P. Zeferino, Luís Fernando de Vasconcelos Sousa, BSc Daniel Cruz, PhD Fábio Biscegli Jatene, PhD Filomena B. Galas (Author)

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How to Cite

Correlation Between Diabetes Prevalence and ICU/Hospital Stay Across Studies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2026). Harvard Medical Student Review, 11(1), 39-51. https://doi.org/10.65539/096nfx84

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