To compare the health service utilization and long-term outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with and without diabetes in Ontario.
We examined 25,697 patients from Ontario (6,052 and 19,645 patients with and without diabetes, respectively) who were hospitalized because of AMI between 1 April 1992 and 31 December 1993. Using linked administrative databases, we determined the use of invasive cardiac procedures at 1 year as well as the intensity of specialty follow-up care and use of evidence-based pharmacotherapies (among elderly individuals) within the first 90 days of hospital discharge. Outcomes examined included mortality and recurrent cardiac admissions at 30 days and 5 years post AMI. Multivariable analyses adjusted for sociodemographic and case-mix characteristics, attending physician specialty, and admitting hospital characteristics.
Despite being at significantly higher risk for death at baseline, diabetic patients were less likely to be followed-up by a cardiologist (22.2 vs. 25.6%, P