The impact of youth-onset type 2 diabetes on postoperative wound healing complications

Youth-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with a more rapid decline in β cells, and earlier onset of medical complications compared to adult-onset diabetes. However, its impact on surgical wounds remains less clear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether youth-onset diabetes is a risk factor for wound healing complications in the 30-day postoperative period. To do so, the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database years 2012–2019 was analysed. Patients aged 18–24 with non-insulin-dependent diabetes were included. Outcomes assessed included wound infections, wound dehiscence, readmissions, and reoperation. Univariate analysis identified differences between the diabetic and non-diabetic cohorts after which, multivariate logistic regression was employed to control for potential confounding. Analysis included 1589 diabetic and 196,902 non-diabetic patients ages 18–24. The diabetic cohort exhibited a higher proportion of female (83.8% vs. 55.2%, p < 0.001), non-white (22.7% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.001), and Hispanic patients (16.2% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.002). Diabetic patients were less likely to have dirty or contaminated wounds (16.2% vs. 25.2%, p < 0.001); however had increased rates of superficial surgical site infections (SSSIs; 2.0% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.001) and readmission (4.0% vs. 3.0%, p = 0.026). After regression, diabetes remained a significant positive predictor of SSSI (odds ratio: 1.546, p = 0.022); however, it no longer significantly predicted 30-day readmission. Overall, this analysis of a large multicentre surgical outcomes database found that when compared to non-diabetics, youth-onset diabetic patients exhibited a higher proportion of SSSIs in the 30-day postoperative period. These infections were found, despite the diabetic cohort exhibiting lower rates of wound contamination. After controlling for confounding variables, youth-onset diabetes remained a significant predictor of SSSI. Clinically, prevention and treatment of diabetes along with judicious wound care is recommended.