Project description:BackgroundTo evaluate the association between social capital and 30-day readmission to the hospital among Medicare beneficiaries overall, beneficiaries with dementia and related memory disorders, and beneficiaries with dual eligibility for Medicaid.MethodsUsing Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data linked with 2008-2015 Medicare claims from traditional Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized during the study period (1246 unique respondents, 2212 total responses), we examined whether dementia and related memory disorders and dual eligibility were associated with social capital. We then estimated a multiple regression model to test whether social capital was associated with a reduced likelihood of readmission.ResultsDementia was associated with an - 0.241 standard deviation (sd) change in social capital (95% CI: - 0.378, - 0.103), dual eligibility with a - 0.461 sd change (95% CI: - 0.611, - 0.310), and the occurrence of both was associated with an additional - 0.236 sd change (95% CI: - 0.525, - 0.053). 30-day readmission rates were 14.47% over the study period. In both adjusted and unadjusted models, social capital was associated with small and nonsignificant differences in 30-day readmissions. These effects did not vary across dementia status and socioeconomic status.ConclusionsDementia and dual eligibility were associated with lower social capital, but social capital was not associated with the risk of readmission for any population.
Project description:AimsAlthough catheter ablation has emerged as an important therapy for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), there are limited data on sex-based differences in outcomes. We sought to compare in-hospital outcomes and 30-day readmissions of women and men undergoing AF ablation.Methods and resultsUsing the United States Nationwide Readmissions Database, we analysed patients undergoing AF ablation between 2010 and 2014. Based on ICD-9-CM codes, we identified co-morbidities and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression and inverse probability-weighting analysis were performed to assess female sex as a predictor of endpoints. Of 54 597 study patients, 20 623 (37.7%) were female. After adjustment for age, co-morbidities, and hospital factors, women had higher rates of any complication [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.39; P < 0.0001], cardiac perforation (aOR 1.39; P = 0.006), and bleeding/vascular complications (aOR 1.49; P < 0.0001). Thirty-day all-cause readmission rates were higher for women compared to men (13.4% vs. 9.4%; P < 0.0001). Female sex was independently associated with readmission for AF/atrial tachycardia (aOR 1.48; P < 0.0001), cardiac causes (aOR 1.40; P < 0.0001), and all causes (aOR 1.25; P < 0.0001). Similar findings were confirmed with inverse probability-weighting analysis. Despite increased complications and readmissions, total costs for AF ablation were lower for women than men due to decreased resource utilization.ConclusionsIndependent of age, co-morbidities, and hospital factors, women have higher rates of complications and readmissions following AF ablation. Sex-based differences and disparities in the management of AF need to be explored to address these gaps in outcomes.
Project description:Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. Data regarding 30-day readmission rates after discharge for atrial fibrillation remain poorly reported. Methods and Results The Nationwide Readmission Database (2010-2014) was queried using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes to identify study population. Incidence, etiologies of 30-day readmission and predictors of 30-day readmissions, and cost of care were analyzed. Among 1 723 378 patients who survived to discharge, 249 343 (14.4%) patients were readmitted within 30 days. Compared with the readmitted group, the nonreadmitted group had higher utilization of electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation. Atrial fibrillation was the most common cause of readmission (24.1%). Median time to 30-day readmission was 13 days. Advancing age, female sex, and longer stay during index hospitalization predicted higher 30-day readmissions, whereas private insurance, electrical cardioversion, catheter ablation, higher income, and elective admissions correlated with lower 30-day readmission. Comorbidities such as heart failure, neurological disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver failure, coagulopathy, anemia, peripheral vascular disease, and electrolyte disturbance, correlated with increased 30-day readmissions and cost burden. Trend analysis showed a progressive decline in 30-day readmission rates from 14.7% in 2010 to 14.3% in 2014 (P trend, <0.001). Conclusions Approximately 1 in 7 patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge, with symptomatic atrial fibrillation being the most common cause. We identified a predictive model for increased risk of readmissions and treatment expense. Electrical cardioversion during index admission was associated with a significant reduction in 30-day readmissions and service charges. The 30-day readmissions correlated with a substantial rise in the cost of care.
Project description:BackgroundWhile 30-day readmissions following hospitalization for pneumonia have been well-studied in the elderly, their burden in young adults remains poorly understood.ObjectiveTo study patterns of readmissions following hospitalization for pneumonia across age groups and insurance payers.MethodsIn the Nationwide Readmission Database for the years 2013 and 2014 we identified all adults (≥18 years) discharged alive after a hospitalization with the primary diagnosis of pneumonia, and examined rates of readmissions within 30-days of discharge. Using covariates included in the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services risk-adjustment model for pneumonia readmissions in a multivariable regression model for survey data, we identified predictors of 30-day readmission.ResultsWe identified 629,939 index pneumonia hospitalizations with a weighted estimate of 1,472,069 nationally. Overall, 16.2% of patients were readmitted within 30 days of their hospitalization for pneumonia, with 30-day readmission rates of 12.4% in the 18-44 year age-group, 16.1% in the 45-64 year age-group, and 16.7% in the ≥65-year age-group. In risk-adjusted analyses, compared with elderly, middle-aged adults were more likely to be readmitted (risk-adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.07). Mean cost per readmission was also highest for this age group at $15,976.ConclusionMiddle-aged adults experience substantial rates of 30-day readmission that are comparable to those over 65 years of age, with a higher cost per readmission event. Future efforts are needed to identify potential interventions to alleviate the high burden of pneumonia readmissions in middle-aged adults.
Project description:BackgroundThe incidence and type of complications following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation have been extensively examined, but the impact associated with these complications on the length of stay and hospitalization costs is unknown.Methods and resultsThis cohort study included 20 117 adult patients (mean age 62.6±11.4 years, 30.3% women, median length of stay 1 day [interquartile range 1-2 days]) undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation in financial years 2011 to 2017 in Australia with available cost data from the National Hospital Cost Data Collection, which determines government reimbursement of health services provided. The primary outcome was the costs associated with complications occurring up to 30 days postdischarge adjusted for inflation to 2021 Australian dollars. We used generalized linear models to estimate the increase in length of stay and cost associated with complications, adjusting for patient characteristics. Within 30 days of hospital discharge, 1151 (5.72%) patients experienced a complication with bleeding (3.35%) and pericardial effusion (0.75%) being the most common. On average, the occurrence of a complication was associated with an adjusted 3.3 (95% CI, 3.1-3.6) excess bed days of hospital care (totaling 3851 days), and a $7812 (95% CI, $6754-$8870) increase in hospitalization cost (totaling $9.0 million). Most of the total excess cost was attributable to bleeding ($3.8 million, 41.9% of total excess cost) and pericardial effusion ($1.6 million, 18.2%).ConclusionsComplications following atrial fibrillation ablation were associated with significant increase in length of stay and hospitalization costs, most of which were attributable to bleeding and pericardial effusion. Strategies to improve procedural safety and reduce health care costs should focus on these complications.
Project description:BackgroundThere is little information available on AF and its association with outcomes in adult influenza hospitalizations.MethodsThe National Inpatient Sample was queried from years 2009-2018 to create a cohort of discharges containing an influenza diagnosis. AF was the primary exposure. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to describe the association of AF with clinical and healthcare-resource outcomes. Finally, a doubly-robust analysis using average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) propensity score weighting was performed to verify the results of traditional regression analysis.ResultsAfter adjustment, the presence of AF during influenza hospitalization was associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortality (aOR 1.56, 95 % CI 1.49 - 1.65), acute respiratory failure (aOR 1.22, 95 % CI 1.19 - 1.25), acute respiratory failure with mechanical ventilation (aOR 1.37, 95 % CI 1.32 - 1.41), acute kidney injury (aOR 1.09, 95 % CI 1.06 - 1.12), acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (aOR 1.61, 95 % CI 1.46 - 1.78) and cardiogenic shock (aOR 1.90, 95 % CI 1.65 - 2.20, all p-values < 0.0001). These findings were validated in our propensity score analysis using ATT weights. The presence of AF was also associated with higher total charges and costs of hospitalization, as well as a significantly longer length of stay (all p-values < 0.0001).ConclusionAF is a cardiovascular comorbidity associated with worse clinical and healthcare resource outcomes in influenza requiring hospitalization. Its presence should be used to identify patients with influenza at risk of worse prognosis.
Project description:ObjectiveAtrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, presents significant health challenges, and the intricate connection between insomnia and AF has garnered substantial attention. This cohort study aims to investigate the relationship between insomnia and AF recurrences following radiofrequency ablation.Materials and methodsData were retrieved from an electronic database of patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation for AF. The primary endpoint was AF recurrence. We utilized a multivariable Cox model, coupled with three propensity score methods, for analysis.ResultsBetween January 1, 2017, and June 1, 2022, 541 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation for AF were recorded in the database. After excluding 185 patients, the final cohort comprised 356 patients. Among them, 68 were afflicted by insomnia, while 288 were not. Over a median follow-up of 755 days, one patient died, and 130 (36.5%) experienced AF recurrence. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the insomnia group had a higher risk of AF recurrence compared to the non-insomnia group (HR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.16-2.89). Further landmark analysis showed no significant difference in AF recurrence rates during the initial 1-year follow-up. However, beyond 1 year, the insomnia group demonstrated a significantly higher AF recurrence rate. As the number of insomnia symptoms increased, the risk of AF recurrence also rose significantly, indicating a dose-response relationship.ConclusionThis study establishes a significant link between insomnia and long-term AF recurrence following radiofrequency ablation. It underscores the importance of identifying and addressing insomnia in patients with AF undergoing radiofrequency ablation.