Oxygen saturation as a predictor of mortality in hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 in a public hospital in Lima, Peru

Introduction Peru is among the top ten countries with the highest number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases worldwide. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical features of hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 and to determine the prognostic factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study among adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to Hospital Cayetano Heredia; a tertiary care hospital in Lima, Peru. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify factors independently associated with in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 369 patients (median age 59 years [IQR:49–68]; 241 (65.31%) male) were included. Most patients (68.56%) reported at least one comorbidity; more frequently: obesity (42.55%), diabetes mellitus (21.95%), and hypertension (21.68%). The median duration of symptoms prior to hospital admission was 7 days (IQR: 5–10). Reported in-hospital mortality was 49.59%. By multiple Cox regression, oxygen saturation (SaO2) values of less than 90% on admission correlated with mortality, presenting 1.86 (95%CI: 1.02–3.39), 4.44 (95%CI: 2.46–8.02) and 7.74 (95%CI: 4.54–13.19) times greater risk of death for SaO2 of 89–85%, 84–80% and <80%, respectively, when compared to patients with SaO2 >90%. Additionally, age >60 years was associated with 1.88 times greater mortality. Conclusions Oxygen saturation below 90% on admission is a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19. In settings with limited resources, efforts to reduce mortality in COVID-19 should focus on early identification of hypoxemia and timely access to hospital care.

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Presentation characteristics, use of treatments and outcomes in patients with ischaemic vs. non-ischaemic cardiogenic shock

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.1845 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

B Schrage ◽

S Dabboura ◽

I Yan ◽

R Hilal ◽

J Weimann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Cardiogenic Shock ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Chronic Renal Disease ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Ventricular Assist Devices ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Abstract Aim Evidence on non-ischaemic cardiogenic shock (CS) is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in presentation characteristics, use of treatments and outcomes in patients with ischaemic vs. non-ischaemic CS. Methods Patients with CS admitted to a tertiary care hospital between October 2009 and October 2017 were identified and stratified as ischaemic CS/non-ischaemic CS based on the presence/absence of acute myocardial infarction. Missing data was handled by chained equation multiple imputation. Logistic and Cox regression models were fitted to investigate the association of non-ischaemic CS with presentation characteristics (adjusted for all baseline variables), and use of treatments as well as30-day in-hospital mortality (adjusted for relevant confounders including age, sex, prior cardiac arrest, haemodynamics, pH and lactate). Results A total of 978 patients were enrolled in this study; median age was 70 (interquartile range 58, 79) years and 70% were male. 505 patients (43%) had non-ischaemic CS. Patients with non-ischaemic CS were more likely younger and female; were less likely to be active smokers or to have diabetes, but more likely to have chronic renal disease and history of myocardial infarction; and were more likely to present with unfavourable haemodynamics and with mechanical ventilation. Regarding use of treatments, patients with non-ischaemic CS were more likely to be treated with catecholamines [odds ratio (OR) 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–2.27, p0.01], but less likely to be treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48–0.92, p=0.02) or percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (OR 0.51, 0.35–0.74, p<0.01). Unadjusted survival probabilities in patients with non-ischaemic vs. ischaemic CS were 36% (95% CI 32–42%) vs. 39% (95% CI 35–45%). After adjustment for multiple relevant confounders, non-ischaemic CS was associated with a significant increase in the risk of 30-day in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.55, p<0.01, Figure 1). Conclusion In this large study, non-ischaemic CS accounted for almost 50% of all CS cases. Non-ischaemic CS was not only associated with relevant differences in presentation characteristics and use of treatments, but also with a worse prognosis. These findings highlight the need for effective treatment strategies for patients with non-ischaemic CS. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Patient characteristics and cardiac surgical outcomes at a tertiary care hospital in Kenya, 2008–2017: a retrospective study

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.11191 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e11191

Author(s):

Tamara Chavez-Lindell ◽

Bob Kikwe ◽

Anthony Gikonyo ◽

Agricola Odoi

Keyword(s):

Surgical Complications ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Morbidity And Mortality ◽

Surgical Patients ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Risk Of Death

Background Cardiac surgeries are high risk procedures that require specialized care and access to these procedures is often limited in resource-poor countries. Although fatalities for surgical patients across Africa are twice that of the global rate, cardiac surgical mortality continent-wide is only slightly higher than all-surgical mortality. Understanding demographic and health characteristics of patients and the associations of these characteristics with morbidity and mortality events is important in guiding care decisions. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: (a) describe the characteristics of cardiac surgical patients; (b) identify the associations between these characteristics and morbidity and mortality events following cardiac surgery. Methods Patient characteristics and post-surgical complications were abstracted for all cardiac surgical patients treated at a tertiary care hospital in Kenya from 2008 to 2017. Descriptive analyses of demographic factors, co-morbidities, peri-operative conditions, and post-surgical complications were conducted for adult and pediatric patients. Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to assess temporal trends in risk of death. Multivariable ordinary logistic and Firth logistic models were used to investigate predictors of surgical outcomes. Results The study included a total of 181 patients (150 adult and 31 pediatric patients). Most (91.3%) adult patients had acquired conditions while 45.2% of the pediatric patients had congenital defects. Adult patients tended to have co-morbid conditions including hypertension (16.7%), diabetes mellitus (7.3%), and nephropathy (6.7%). Most patients (76.0% adults and 96.8% pediatric patients) underwent ≤ 2 surgical procedures during their hospital stay. Seventy percent of adult and 54.8% of the pediatric patients experienced at least one post-surgical complication including mediastinal hemorrhage, acute kidney injury and death. Patient characteristics played the greatest roles in predicting post-surgical complications. For adult patients, significant predictors of acute kidney injury included atrial fibrillation (OR = 18.25; p = .001), mitral valve replacement (OR = 0.14; p = .019), and use of cardiopulmonary bypass (OR = 0.06; p = .002). Significant predictors of 30-day mortality were age (OR = 1.05; p = .015) and atrial fibrillation (OR = 4.12, p = .018). Although the number of surgeries increased over the decade-long study period, there were no significant (p = .467) temporal trends in the risk of death. Conclusions Awareness of demographic and peri-surgical factors that are predictors of complications is useful in guiding clinical decisions to reduce morbidity and mortality. Identification of co-morbidities as the most useful predictors of post-surgical complications suggests that patient characteristics may be a larger contributor to the incidence of complications than surgical practices.

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Outcome of post cardiac surgery acute myocardial infarction and role of emergency percutaneous coronary interventions

European Heart Journal Acute Cardiovascular Care ◽

10.1093/ehjacc/zuab020.206 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M Laimoud ◽

R Qureshi

Keyword(s):

Coronary Angiography ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Troponin I ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Diagnosis And Management ◽

Lactate Levels

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The rapid haemodynamics deterioration and presence of myocardial ischemia early after cardiac surgical operations is a complex life threatening condition where rapid diagnosis and management is of fundamental importance. Objective: to analyse the factors associated with mortality of patients with post cardiotomy MI and to study the role of emergency coronary angiography in management and outcome . Methods: we retrospectively enrolled adult patients diagnosed to have post cardiotomy MI and underwent emergency coronary angiography at our tertiary care hospital between January 2016 and August 2019. Results: Sixty one patients from consecutive 1869 adult patients who underwent cardiac surgeries were enrolled in our study. The studied patients had a mean age of 49 ±16.2 years with a mean BMI of 29.5 ± 6.6 and 65.6% of them were males. As compared to the survivors group, the non-survivors of perioperative MI had significant preoperative CKD , postoperative AKI , longer CPB time , frequent histories of previous PCI , previous cardiotomies , pre and postoperative ECMO use , higher median troponin I levels , higher peak and 24 hours mean lactate levels. Regression analysis revealed that re-operation for revascularization (OR:23 ; 95% CI: 8.27-217.06; p = 0.034) and hyperlactataemia (OR: 3.21 ; 95% CI:1.14-9.04 ; p = 0.027) were independent factors associated with hospital mortality after perioperative MI . Hospital mortality occurred in ( 25.7% vs 86.7% ,p < 0.001 ) , AKI occurred in ( 37.1% vs 93.3 %,p < 0.001 ) , haemodialysis was used in (28.6 % vs 80%. P = 0.002), mediastinal exploration for bleeding done in (31.4% vs 80%, p = 0.006 ) in PCI and re-operation groups respectively while there were no significant differences regarding gastrointestinal bleeding , cerebral strokes nor intracerebral bleeding . Absence of significant angiographic findings occurred in 18% of patients. Conclusions: Perioperative MI is associated with significant morbidities and hospital mortality . Re-operation for revascularization and progressive hyperlactataemia are independent predictors of hospital mortality. Emergency coronary angiography is helpful in diagnosis and management of perioperative MI. Predictors of hospital mortality.Significant variablesP valueOR95% CIPost-op ECMO0.1360.0390.001 -2.775Troponin0.6611.0000.998 -1.001Lactate peak0.0273.2121.141 - 9.042Re-operation0.03423.0058.27 - 217.06Abstract Figure. Hospital outcomes of PCI and Reoperation

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Acute Kidney Injury Is Associated With In-hospital Mortality in Older Patients With COVID-19

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glaa181 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Qi Yan ◽

Peiyuan Zuo ◽

Ling Cheng ◽

Yuanyuan Li ◽

Kaixin Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Kidney Injury ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Older Patients ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

University Hospital ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Risk Of Death

Abstract Background The epidemic of COVID-19 presents a special threat to older adults. However, information on kidney damage in older patients with COVID-19 is limited. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in hospitalized adults and associated with poor prognosis. We sought to explore the association between AKI and mortality in older patients with COVID-19. Methods We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study in a large tertiary care university hospital in Wuhan, China. All consecutive inpatients older than 65 years with COVID-19 were enrolled in this cohort. Demographic data, laboratory values, comorbidities, treatments, and clinical outcomes were all collected. Data were compared between patients with AKI and without AKI. The association between AKI and mortality was analyzed. Results Of 1764 in-hospital patients, 882 older adult cases were included in this cohort. The median age was 71 years (interquartile range: 68–77), 440 (49.9%) were men. The most presented comorbidity was cardiovascular diseases (58.2%), followed by diabetes (31.4%). Of 882 older patients, 115 (13%) developed AKI and 128 (14.5%) died. Patients with AKI had higher mortality than those without AKI (68 [59.1%] vs 60 [7.8%]; p < .001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that increasing odds of in-hospital mortality are associated with higher interleukin-6 on admission, myocardial injury, and AKI. Conclusions Acute kidney injury is not an uncommon complication in older patients with COVID-19 but is associated with a high risk of death. Physicians should be aware of the risk of AKI in older patients with COVID-19.

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Clinical Features and Outcome in Adult Cases of Tuberculous Meningitis in Tertiary Care Hospital in Antananarivo, Madagascar

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/9316589 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mihaja Raberahona ◽

Rivonirina Andry Rakotoarivelo ◽

Tiana Razafinambinintsoa ◽

Radonirina Lazasoa Andrianasolo ◽

Mamy Jean de Dieu Randria

Keyword(s):

Tuberculous Meningitis ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Diagnostic Delay ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Inpatient Mortality ◽

Prognosis Factors ◽

Duration Of Symptoms ◽

Advanced Stages

Purpose.We aimed to describe and to assess prognosis factors in tuberculous meningitis in adult patients.Methods.We performed a retrospective study of case records of adult patients. Patients classified as definite, probable, or possible tuberculous meningitis according to standardized definition criteria were included and assessed in the study.Results.Seventy-five patients were included in the study. Tuberculous meningitis was classified as definite in 8 (10.7%), probable in 44 (58.7%), and possible in 23 patients (30.6%). HIV was found in 3% of patients. Patients were in advanced stages at admission in 82.7%. Median duration of symptoms prior to admission was 3 weeks (IQR: 2–5). Median time to diagnosis following admission was 5 days (IQR: 3–8). Median CSF WCC was 75 per mm3with lymphocytic predominance in 38 cases (52.8%). Median CSF glucose level was 1.48 mmol/L and median CSF protein level was 1 g/L. Mortality rate was 28%. Age ≥ 35 years (aOR: 4.06; 95% CI: 1.16–14.26) and coma (aOR: 12.98; 95% CI: 1.13–149.16) predicted inpatient mortality.Conclusion.Most of the patients experienced more than 3 weeks of diagnostic delay prior to admission. Mortality was high and occurred early after admission. Age and coma were identified as independent prognosis factors.

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Providing safe care for patients in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era: A case series evaluating risk for hospital-associated COVID-19

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2021.38 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Elizabeth B. Habermann ◽

Aaron J. Tande ◽

Benjamin D. Pollock ◽

Matthew R. Neville ◽

Henry H. Ting ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hospital Stay ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Case Series ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Strict Adherence ◽

Large Tertiary Care ◽

Healthcare Associated ◽

Serology Testing ◽

Pcr Test

Abstract Objective: We evaluated the risk of patients contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during their hospital stay to inform the safety of hospitalization for a non–COVID-19 indication during this pandemic. Methods: A case series of adult patients hospitalized for 2 or more nights from May 15 to June 15, 2020 at large tertiary-care hospital in the midwestern United States was reviewed. All patients were screened at admission with the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Selected adult patients were also tested by IgG serology. After dismissal, patients with negative serology and PCR at admission were asked to undergo repeat serologic testing at 14–21 days after discharge. The primary outcome was healthcare-associated COVID-19 defined as a new positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test on or after day 4 of hospital stay or within 7 days of hospital dismissal, or seroconversion in patients previously established as seronegative. Results: Of the 2,068 eligible adult patients, 1,778 (86.0%) completed admission PCR testing, while 1,339 (64.7%) also completed admission serology testing. Of the 1,310 (97.8%) who were both PCR and seronegative, 445 (34.0%) repeated postdischarge serology testing. No healthcare-associated COVID-19 cases were detected during the study period. Of 1,310 eligible PCR and seronegative adults, no patients tested PCR positive during hospital admission (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0%–0.3%). Of the 445 (34.0%) who completed postdischarge serology testing, no patients seroconverted (0.0%; 95% CI, 0.0%–0.9%). Conclusion: We found low likelihood of hospital-associated COVID-19 with strict adherence to universal masking, physical distancing, and hand hygiene along with limited visitors and screening of admissions with PCR.

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Relationship between trajectories of post-stroke disability and self-rated health (NeuroAdapt): protocol for a prospective observational study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049944 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. e049944

Author(s):

Sarah K Schäfer ◽

Robert Fleischmann ◽

Bettina von Sarnowski ◽

Dominic Bläsing ◽

Agnes Flöel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Functional Health ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Duration Of Symptoms ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Modifying Factors ◽

Study Results

IntroductionStroke is the leading neurological cause of adult long-term disability in Europe. Even though functional consequences directly related to neurological impairment are well studied, post-stroke trajectories of functional health according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health are poorly understood. Particularly, no study investigated the relationship between post-stroke trajectories of activities of daily living (ADL) and self-rated health (SRH). However, such knowledge is of major importance to identify patients at risk of unfavourable courses. This prospective observational study aims to investigate trajectories of ADL and SRH, and their modifying factors in the course of the first year after stroke.Methods and analysisThe study will consecutively enrol 300 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA; Age, Blood Pressure, Clinical Features, Duration of symptoms, Diabetes score ≥3). Patient inclusion is planned from May 2021 to September 2022. All participants will complete an interview assessing ADL, SRH, mental health, views on ageing and resilience-related concepts. Participants will be interviewed face-to-face 1–5 days post-stroke/TIA in the hospital; and will be followed up after 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months via telephone. The 12-month follow-up will also include a neurological assessment. Primary endpoints are ADL operationalised by modified Rankin Scale scores and SRH. Secondary outcomes are further measures of ADL, functional health, physical activity, falls and fatigue. Views on ageing, social support, resilience-related concepts, affect, frailty, illness perceptions and loneliness will be examined as modifying factors. Analyses will investigate the bidirectional relationship between SRH and ADL using bivariate latent change score models.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the institutional review board of the University Medicine Greifswald (Ref. BB 237/20). The results will be disseminated through scientific publications, conferences and media. Moreover, study results and potential implications will be discussed with patient representatives.Trial registration numberNCT04704635.

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1147. Short Course of Voriconazole Therapy as a Risk Factor for Relapse of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1333 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S600-S601

Author(s):

Dong Hoon Shin ◽

Seung-Jin Yoo ◽

Jongtak Jung ◽

Kang Il Jun ◽

Hyungjin Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽

Treatment Termination ◽

Duration Of Therapy ◽

Short Course ◽

Life Threatening

Abstract Background Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening opportunistic infection which usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. Recommended duration of voriconazole therapy is a minimum of 6-12 weeks for IPA, despite the lack of any firm evidence. In addition, risk factors for relapse of IPA are still unclear. Here, we explored risk factors for IPA relapse after initial treatment. Methods All patients with proven or probable IPA who had finished voriconazole treatment between 2005 and 2019 in a tertiary-care hospital were reviewed. IPA relapse was defined as re-diagnosis of proven or probable IPA at the same site within 1 year after treatment termination. Short course of voriconazole treatment was defined as a treatment less than 9 weeks, which is a median of the recommended minimum duration of therapy from the Infectious Disease Society of America. The radiological response was defined as a reduction in IPA burden by more than 50% on chest computed tomography (CT). Results Of 87 patients who had completed voriconazole treatment, 14 (16.1%) experienced IPA relapse. Multivariable Cox regression identified that short voriconazole treatment duration (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–12.3; P=0.033) and radiological non-response (aHR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.2–17.5; P=0.026) were independently associated with relapse of IPA after adjusting for several clinical risk factors. Conclusion Less improvement in CT, and short duration of voriconazole therapy were the independent risk factors for relapse after treatment of IPA. Longer duration of therapy should be considered for those at higher risk of relapse. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Outcomes of major trauma among patients with chronic kidney disease and receiving dialysis in Nova Scotia: a retrospective analysis

Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open ◽

10.1136/tsaco-2020-000672 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. e000672

Author(s):

Ryan Pratt ◽

Mete Erdogan ◽

Robert Green ◽

David Clark ◽

Amanda Vinson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Nova Scotia ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Major Trauma ◽

Injury Severity ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk

BackgroundThe risk of death and complications after major trauma in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is higher than in the general population, but whether this association holds true among Canadian trauma patients is unknown.ObjectivesTo characterize patients with CKD/receiving dialysis within a regional major trauma cohort and compare their outcomes with patients without CKD.MethodsAll major traumas requiring hospitalization between 2006 and 2017 were identified from a provincial trauma registry in Nova Scotia, Canada. Trauma patients with stage ≥3 CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or receiving dialysis were identified by cross-referencing two regional databases for nephrology clinics and dialysis treatments. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality; secondary outcomes included hospital/intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and ventilator-days. Cox regression was used to adjust for the effects of patient characteristics on in-hospital mortality.ResultsIn total, 6237 trauma patients were identified, of whom 4997 lived within the regional nephrology catchment area. CKD/dialysis trauma patients (n=101; 28 on dialysis) were older than patients without CKD (n=4896), with higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and had increased risk of in-hospital mortality (31% vs 11%, p<0.001). No differences were observed in injury severity, ICU LOS, or ventilator-days. After adjustment for age, sex, and injury severity, the HR for in-hospital mortality was 1.90 (95% CI 1.33 to 2.70) for CKD/dialysis compared with patients without CKD.ConclusionIndependent of injury severity, patients without CKD/dialysis have significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality after major trauma.

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Rising Economic Impact of Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease in Adult Hospitalized Patient Population

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/588756 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 29 (9) ◽

pp. 823-828 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

Xiaoyan Song ◽

John G Bartlett ◽

Kathleen Speck ◽

April Naegeli ◽

Karen Carroll ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Clostridium Difficile ◽

Economic Burden ◽

Excess Mortality ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Severity Of Illness ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Course Of Illness

Background.Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is responsible for increased morbidity and a substantial economic burden. Incidences of CDAD, including those with a severe course of illness, have been increasing rapidly.Objective.To evaluate the excess mortality, increased length of stay (LOS) in the hospital, and additional costs associated with CDAD.Design.A retrospective matched cohort study.Patients.Adult patients admitted to a large tertiary care hospital between January 2000 and October 2005.Methods.Adult patients were tested with a C. difficile laboratory assay at admission or 72 hours after admission. Infected patients had lor more positive assay results and were individually matched to 1 uninfected patient who had negative assay results, by exposure time, age, ward, and at least 2 measurements for comorbidity and severity of illness.Results.The incidence rate of CDAD among adult patients increased from 0.57 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk before 2004 to 0.88 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk after 2004 (P < .001). The 630 infected patients had a mortality rate of 11.9%; the 630 uninfected patients had a mortality rate of 15.1% (P = .02). After adjustment in the multivariate analysis, we found that the LOS for infected patients was 4 days longer than that for uninfected patients (P < .001). If CDAD occurred after 2004, the additional LOS increased to 5.5 days. The direct cost associated with CDAD was $306 per case; after year 2004, it increased to $6,326 per case.Conclusions.There may be no excess mortality among patients with CDAD, compared with patients without it, but the economic burden of CDAD is increasing. By 2004, CDAD-associated medical expenditures approached $1,000,000 per year at our institution alone.

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