Incidence of Newly Diagnosed Diabetes in Patients Hospitalized for MI or Stroke
Overview
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 82 studies including 9440 patients found that approximately one in six patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke receive a new diagnosis of diabetes (NDD). The proportion of NDD has remained stable over the past 30 years and is higher when oral glucose tolerance tests are used compared to HbA1c alone.
Background
Cardiovascular events such as MI and stroke are often preventable through management of modifiable risk factors including type 2 diabetes. Many individuals have undiagnosed diabetes, which may contribute to cardiovascular risk. Hospitalization for MI or stroke provides an opportunity to screen for diabetes, potentially identifying patients with previously unrecognized disease. Understanding the proportion of patients with newly diagnosed diabetes at the time of these acute events is critical for improving early detection and prevention strategies.
Data Highlights
Condition
Number of Studies
Pooled Proportion of NDD (%)
95% Confidence Interval
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
52
16.0
14.3–17.7
Stroke
30
15.3
12.5–18.0
Key Findings
Among patients hospitalized for MI, 16.0% (95% CI 14.3–17.7) had newly diagnosed diabetes.
Among patients hospitalized for stroke, 15.3% (95% CI 12.5–18.0) had newly diagnosed diabetes.
The proportion of NDD was higher when oral glucose tolerance tests were used compared to HbA1c alone.
The incidence of NDD in these populations has not significantly changed over the last 30 years.
Only 22% of studies tested all eligible patients for diabetes, indicating variability in screening practices.
Patients with NDD at the time of MI or stroke have a higher risk of cardiovascular recurrence and death compared to those without diabetes.
Clinical Implications
Clinicians should recognize that approximately one in six patients hospitalized for MI or stroke may have undiagnosed diabetes, underscoring the importance of systematic diabetes screening in this population. Use of oral glucose tolerance testing may improve detection rates compared to HbA1c alone. Early identification of diabetes in these patients could facilitate timely management to reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events.
Conclusion
New diagnosis of diabetes is common among patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction or stroke, with stable incidence over three decades. Standardizing and improving diabetes screening protocols in these acute settings is essential to optimize cardiovascular risk management.
References
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 2025 -- Incidence of Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Among Patients Hospitalized for Myocardial Infarction or Stroke
