Project description:During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there have been health concerns related to alcohol use and misuse. We aimed to examine the population-level change in cases of alcohol-related liver disease and pancreatitis that required admission during the COVID-19 epidemic by interrupted time series (ITS) analysis using claims data. We defined the period from April 2020, when the Japanese government declared a state of emergency, as the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic. This ITS analysis included 3,026,389 overall admissions and 10,242 admissions for alcohol-related liver disease or pancreatitis from 257 hospitals between July 2018 and June 2020. The rate of admissions per 1000 admissions during the COVID-19 epidemic period (April 2020-June 2020) was 1.2 times (rate ratio: 1.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.12-1.33) compared to the pre-epidemic period. Analyses stratified by sex revealed that the increases in admission rates of alcohol-related liver disease or pancreatitis for females were higher than for males during the COVID-19 epidemic period. The COVID-19 epidemic in Japan might associates an increase in hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver disease and pancreatitis. Our study could support the concern of alcohol consumption and health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project description:BackgroundWhile morbidity outcomes for major disease categories during extreme heat have received increasing research attention, there has been very limited investigation at the level of specific disease subcategories.Methodology/principal findingsWe analyzed daily hospital admissions for cardiovascular (CVD), respiratory (RD), genitourinary (GU) and mental diseases (MD), diabetes (DIA), dehydration (DEH) and 'the effects of heat and light' (HEAT) in Sydney between 1991 and 2009. We further investigated the sensitivity to heat of subcategories within the major disease groups. We defined hot days as those with temperatures in the 95(th) and 99(th) percentiles within the study period. We applied time-stratified case-crossover analysis to compare the hospital admissions on hot days with those on non-hot days matched by day of the week. We calculated the odds ratios (OR) of admissions between the two types of days, accounting for other environmental variables (relative humidity, ozone and particulate matter) and non-environmental trends (public and school holidays). On hot days, hospital admissions increased for all major categories except GU. This increase was not shared homogeneously across all diseases within a major category: within RD, only 'other diseases of the respiratory system' (includes pleurisy or empyema) increased significantly, while admissions for asthma decreased. Within MD, hospital admissions increased only for psychoses. Admissions due to some major categories increased one to three days after a hot day (e.g., DIA, RD and CVD) and on two and three consecutive days (e.g., HEAT and RD).Conclusions/significanceHigh ambient temperatures were associated with increased hospital admissions for several disease categories, with some within-category variation. Future analyses should focus on subgroups within broad disease categories to pinpoint medical conditions most affected by ambient heat.
Project description:Background and aimThe introduction of the Alcohol Act in Scotland on 1 October 2011, which included a ban on multi-buy promotions, was probably associated with a fall in off-trade alcohol sales in the year after its implementation. The aim of this study was to test if the same legislation was associated with reduced levels of alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions in the 3-year period after its introduction.DesignA natural experiment design using time-series data to assess the impact of the Alcohol Act legislation in Scotland. Comparisons were made with unexposed populations in the rest of Great Britain.SettingScotland with comparable data obtained for geographical control groups in other parts of Great Britain.ParticipantsFor alcohol-related deaths, a total of 17 732 in Scotland and 88 001 in England and Wales throughout 169 4-week periods between January 2001 and December 2013 and for alcohol-related hospital admissions, a total of 121 314 in Scotland and 696 892 in England throughout 182 4-week periods between January 2001 and December 2014.MeasurementsDeaths and hospital admissions in Scotland and control groups that were wholly attributable to alcohol for consecutive 4-week periods between January 2001 and December 2014. Data were obtained by age, sex and area-based socio-economic position.FindingsThere was no evidence to suggest that the Alcohol Act was associated with changes in the overall rate of alcohol-related deaths [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.91-1.07)] or hospital admissions (IRR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95-1.02) in Scotland. In control group analyses, the pseudo intervention variable was not associated with a change in alcohol-related death rates in England/Wales (IRR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.95-1.02), but was associated with an increase in alcohol-related hospital admission rates in England (IRR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.03-1.07). In combined models, the interaction analysis did not provide support for a 'net effect' of the legislation on alcohol-related deaths in Scotland compared with England/Wales (IRR 0.99, 95% CI = 0.95-1.04), but suggested a net reduction in hospital admissions for Scotland compared with England (IRR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.87-0.98).ConclusionThe implementation of the Alcohol Act in Scotland has not been associated clearly with a reduction in alcohol-related deaths or hospital admissions in the 3-year period after it was implemented in October 2011.
Project description:IntroductionAlthough coexistence of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and pancreatitis (ALP) is seen in clinical practice, a clear understanding of the overlap between these diseases is lacking. Moreover, the relative risks for certain population groups have not been studied. We determined the prevalence and coexistence of ALD and ALP in patients with an alcohol use disorder using retrospective analysis of a large patient cohort from Western Pennsylvania. We specifically emphasized the analysis of underrepresented populations, including women and blacks.MethodsWe identified all unique patients who received care in UPMC health system during 2006-2017 with at least one International Classification of Diseases versions 9 and/or 10 codes for alcohol misuse, ALD and pancreatitis. We noted their sex, race and age of first diagnosis and duration of contact.ResultsAmong 89,774 patients that fit our criteria, the prevalence of ALD, ALP and coexistent ALD and ALP in patients with alcohol misuse was 11.7%, 7.4% and 2.5%, respectively. Prevalence of ALP in ALD was 16.4%, and ALD in ALP was 33.1%. Prevalence of ALP in ALD was slightly more prevalent in women (18.6% vs. 15.6%, p < 0.001). Prevalence of ALP in ALD was 2-4 folds greater in blacks than other races.DiscussionA sizeable fraction of patients with ALD or ALP has coexistent disease. This is the first study to identify that blacks are at a higher risk for ALP in the presence of ALD. Future studies should define the clinical impact of coexistent disease on clinical presentation and short- and long-term outcomes.
Project description:BackgroundClinical experience suggests an increased hospitalization rate for alcohol-related hepatitis (AH) in the winter months; however, seasonal variations in the prevalence of hospitalizations for AH have not been described previously. We hypothesized that AH hospitalizations would be higher in the winter months due to the holiday season and increased alcohol sales.MethodsPatients with primary or secondary discharge diagnosis of AH were included in the study (International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification-10th Revision codes K70.4 and K70.1) between January 2016 and December 2019. The primary outcome measure for this study was daily hospitalizations by each month of the year. Secondary outcome measures included the rate of in-hospital mortality associated with AH, for each month.ResultsThe highest number of AH-related admissions was reported in July (n = 56,800; 9%), followed by August (n = 55,700; 8.8%) and May (n = 54,865; 8.7%). February had the lowest number of admissions (n = 46,550; 7.37%). The adjusted mortality was highest in December (overall mortality: 9.6%; adjusted odds ratio: 1.29; 95% confidence interval: 1.142 - 1.461; P < 0.0001) and lowest in May (overall mortality rate: 7.7%). No difference was noted between length of stay and total hospitalization cost between months.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that seasonal variations in hospitalizations related to AH do exist across the United States. Regional differences also exist and follow unique patterns. The increase in admissions for AH is in line with other studies suggesting that heavy drinking happens during the warm season. Hospital administrators and other stewards of healthcare resources can use seasonal patterns to guide allocation of resources.
Project description:Background and aimsExcessive alcohol consumption has a substantial impact on public health services. A key element determining alcohol availability is alcohol outlet density. This study investigated the relationship between on-trade and off-trade outlets and hospital admission rates in local neighbourhoods.DesignNational small-area level ecological study.Setting and participantsAll 32 482 lower layer super output census areas (LSOAs) in England (42 227 108 million people aged 15+ years). Densities for six outlet categories (outlets within a 1-km radius of residential postcode centroids, averaged for all postcodes within each LSOA) were calculated.MeasurementsMain outcome measures were admissions due to acute or chronic conditions wholly or partially attributable to alcohol consumption from 2002/03 to 2013/14.FindingsThere were 1 007 137 admissions wholly, and 2 153 874 admissions partially, attributable to alcohol over 12 years. After adjustment for confounding, higher densities of on-trade outlets (pubs, bars and nightclubs; restaurants licensed to sell alcohol; other on-trade outlets) and convenience stores were associated with higher admission rate ratios for acute and chronic wholly attributable conditions. For acute wholly attributable conditions, admission rate ratios were 13% (95% confidence interval = 11-15%), 9% (7-10%), 12% (10-14%) and 10% (9-12%) higher, respectively, in the highest relative to the lowest density categories by quartile. For chronic wholly attributable conditions, rate ratios were 22% (21-24%), 9% (7-11%), 19% (17-21%) and 7% (6-9%) higher, respectively. Supermarket density was associated with modestly higher acute and chronic admissions but other off-trade outlet density was associated only with higher admissions for chronic wholly attributable conditions. For partially attributable conditions, there were no strong patterns of association with outlet densities.ConclusionsIn England, higher densities of several categories of alcohol outlets appear to be associated with higher hospital admission rates for conditions wholly attributable to alcohol consumption.
Project description:BackgroundAlcohol-related harm in young people is now a global health priority. We examined trends in hospital admissions for alcohol-related injuries for adolescents in Western Australia (WA) and in England, identified groups most at risk and determined causes of injuries.MethodsAnnual incidence rates for alcohol-related injury rates were calculated using population-level hospital admissions data for WA and England. We compared trends in different types of alcohol-related injury by age and gender.ResultsDespite a decrease in the overall rate of injury admissions for people aged 13-17 years in WA, alcohol-related injuries have increased significantly from 1990 to 2009 (from 8 to 12 per 10 000). Conversely, alcohol-related injury rates have declined in England since 2007. In England, self-harm is the most frequently recorded cause of alcohol-related injury. In WA, unintentional injury is most common; however, violence-related harm is increasing for boys and girls.ConclusionAlcohol-related harm of sufficient severity to require hospital admission is increasing among adolescents in WA. Declining trends in England suggest that this trend is not inevitable or irreversible. More needs to be done to address alcohol-related harm, and on-going monitoring is required to assess the effectiveness of strategies.
Project description:IntroductionThe excessive consumption of alcohol is detrimental to long term health and increases the likelihood of hospital admission. However, definitions of alcohol-related hospital admission vary, giving rise to uncertainty in the effect of alcohol on alcohol-related health care utilization.ObjectivesTo compare diagnostic codes on hospital admission and discharge and to determine the ideal combination of codes necessary for an accurate determination of alcohol-related hospital admission.MethodsRoutine population-linked e-cohort data were extracted from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank containing all alcohol-related hospital admissions (n,= 92,553) from 2006 to 2011 in Wales, United Kingdom. The distributions of the diagnostic codes recorded at admission and discharge were compared. By calculating a misclassification rate (sensitivity-like measure) the appropriate number of coding fields to examine for alcohol-codes was established.ResultsThere was agreement between admission and discharge codes. When more than ten coding fields were used the misclassification rate was less than 1%.ConclusionWith the data at present and alcohol-related codes used, codes recorded at admission and discharge can be used equivalently to identify alcohol-related admissions. The appropriate number of coding fields to examine was established: fewer than ten is likely to lead to under-reporting of alcohol-related admissions. The methods developed here can be applied to other medical conditions that can be described using a certain set of diagnostic codes, each of which can be a known sole cause of the condition and recorded in multiple positions in e-cohort data.
Project description:BackgroundEmergency admissions in England for alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) have increased steadily for decades. Statistics based on administrative data typically focus on the ArLD-specific code as the primary diagnosis and are therefore at risk of excluding ArLD admissions defined by other coding combinations.AimTo deploy the Liverpool ArLD Algorithm (LAA), which accounts for alternative coding patterns (e.g., ArLD secondary diagnosis with alcohol/liver-related primary diagnosis), to national and local datasets in the context of studying trends in ArLD admissions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe applied the standard approach and LAA to Hospital Episode Statistics for England (2013-21). The algorithm was also deployed at 28 hospitals to discharge coding for emergency admissions during a common 7-day period in 2019 and 2020, in which eligible patient records were reviewed manually to verify the diagnosis and extract data.ResultsNationally, LAA identified approximately 100% more monthly emergency admissions from 2013 to 2021 than the standard method. The annual number of ArLD-specific admissions increased by 30.4%. Of 39,667 admissions in 2020/21, only 19,949 were identified with standard approach, an estimated admission cost of £70 million in under-recorded cases. Within 28 local hospital datasets, 233 admissions were identified using the standard approach and a further 250 locally verified cases using the LAA (107% uplift). There was an 18% absolute increase in ArLD admissions in the seven-day evaluation period in 2020 versus 2019. There were no differences in disease severity or mortality, or in the proportion of admissions with decompensation of cirrhosis or alcoholic hepatitis.ConclusionsThe LAA can be applied successfully to local and national datasets. It consistently identifies approximately 100% more cases than the standard coding approach. The algorithm has revealed the true extent of ArLD admissions. The pandemic has compounded a long-term rise in ArLD admissions and mortality.