scholarly journals A Longitudinal Study of Ambulatory Physician Encounters, Emergency Room Visits, and Hospitalizations by Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 13-year Population Health Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 1421-1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Hanly ◽  
Kara Thompson ◽  
Chris Skedgel

Objective.To determine total physician encounters, emergency room (ER) visits, and hospitalizations in an incident cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cases and matched control patients over 13 years.Methods.A retrospective cohort study was performed using administrative healthcare data from about 1 million people with access to universal healthcare. Using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th ed (ICD-9) and ICD-10 diagnostic codes, 7 RA case definitions were used. Each case was matched by age and sex to 4 randomly selected controls. Data included physician billings, ER visits, and hospital discharges over 13 years.Results.The number of incident RA cases varied from 3497 to 27,694, depending on the case definition. The mean age varied from 54.3 to 65.0 years, and the proportion of women from 67.8% to 71.3%. The number of physician encounters by patients with RA was significantly higher than by controls. It was highest in the index year and declined promptly thereafter for all case definitions and by 12.2%–46.8% after 10 years. Encounters with subspecialty physicians fell by 61% (rheumatologists) and 34% (internal medicine). In contrast, clinical encounters with family physicians and other physicians fell by only 9%. Visits to the ER and hospital admissions were also significantly higher in RA cases, particularly early in the disease, and fell significantly over the followup.Conclusion.In patients with RA, healthcare use is highest in the first year following the diagnosis, which is also the time of maximal involvement by rheumatologists. Use declines over time, and encounters with patients’ family physicians predominate over other physician groups.

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 373.2-374
Author(s):  
K. Almutairi ◽  
J. Nossent ◽  
D. Preen ◽  
H. Keen ◽  
C. Inderjeeth

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a substantial burden on patients and society in terms of morbidity, enduring disability, and medical expenses (1). RA prevalence is poorly described in Australia, and linked health datasets can provide a more meaningful picture for RA epidemiology in the Australian population.Objectives:To describe the period prevalence rate of RA patients per 1000 hospital separations coded as RA primary or secondary diagnosis in Western Australia (WA) hospitals between 1995 and 2014.Methods:We extracted data on all patients identified in the WA Hospital Morbidity Data Collection between 1995 and 2014, with the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes for RA (ICD 10 M05.00–M06.99, and the corresponding ICD 9 codes). We estimated period prevalence rates per 1000 hospital separations and annual average percentage changes, with the total number of hospital separations each year.Results:A total of 17,125 patients were admitted to WA hospitals with a diagnostic code for RA over the study period (1995-2014). The total number of hospital separations for RA patients was 50,353, indicating an average of three hospital separations per patient over twenty years. The RA prevalence was 3.4 per 1000 separations over the study period, with a -2.89% annual average decrease since 1995.Conclusion:These data demonstrate that hospitalisation for RA has decreased considerably in WA over the last two decades. As this decrease roughly coincides with the introduction of biological drug treatment for RA, the reduced need for hospital admission is likely due to improvements in RA management.References:[1]Uhlig T, Moe RH, Kvien TK (2014) The burden of disease in rheumatoid arthritis. Pharmacoeconomics 32:841-851. doi:10.1007/s40273-014-0174-6Acknowledgements:Khalid Almutairi was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program PhD Scholarship at the University of Western Australia.Disclosure of Interests:Khalid Almutairi: None declared, Johannes Nossent Speakers bureau: Janssen, David Preen: None declared, Helen Keen Speakers bureau: Pfizer Australia, Abbvie Australia, Charles Inderjeeth Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly


2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela B. Snyder ◽  
Mei Zhou ◽  
Rodney Theodore ◽  
Maa-Ohui Quarmyne ◽  
James Eckman ◽  
...  

Objective: Several states are building infrastructure and data collection methods for longitudinal, population-based surveillance systems for selected hemoglobinopathies. The objective of our study was to improve an administrative case definition for sickle cell disease (SCD) to aid in longitudinal surveillance. Methods: We collected data from 3 administrative data sets (2004-2008) on 1998 patients aged 0-21 in Georgia who had ≥1 encounter in which an SCD International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code was recorded, and we compared these data with data from a laboratory and medical record review. We assessed performance (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value [PPV], and negative predictive value [NPV]) of case definitions that differed by number and type of SCD-coded encounters; addition of SCD-associated treatments, procedures, and complications; and length of surveillance (1 vs 5 years). We identified correct diagnoses for patients who were incorrectly coded as having SCD. Results: The SCD case definition of ≥3 SCD-coded encounters in 5 years simplified and substantially improved the sensitivity (96.0% vs 85.8%) and NPV (68.2% vs 38.2%) of the original administrative case definition developed for 5-year, state-based surveillance (≥2 encounters in 5 years and ≥1 encounter for an SCD-related treatment, procedure, or complication), while maintaining a similar PPV (97.4% vs 97.4%) and specificity (76.5% vs 79.0%). Conclusions: This study supports an administrative case definition that specifies ≥3 ICD-9-CM–coded encounters to identify SCD with a high degree of accuracy in pediatric patients. This case definition can be used to help establish longitudinal SCD surveillance systems.


2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 676-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
SeJean Sohn ◽  
Michael Climo ◽  
Daniel Diekema ◽  
Victoria Fraser ◽  
Loreen Herwaldt ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground:Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) causes substantial healthcare-associated morbidity. Unlike other common healthcare-associated pathogens, little comparative information is available about CDAD rates in hospitalized patients.Objectives:To determine CDAD rates per 10,000 patient-days and per 1,000 hospital admissions at 7 geographically diverse tertiary-care centers from 2000 to 2003, and to survey participating centers on methods of CDAD surveillance and case definition.Methods:Each center provided specific information for the study period, including case numbers, patient-days, and hospital characteristics. Case definitions and laboratory diagnoses of healthcare-associated CDAD were determined by each institution. Within institutions, case definitions remained consistent during the study period.Results:Overall, mean annual case rates of CDAD were 12.1 per 10,000 patient-days (range, 3.1 to 25.1) and 7.4 per 1,000 hospital admissions (range, 3.1 to 13.1). No significant increases were observed in CDAD case rates during the 4-year interval, either at individual centers or in the Prevention Epicenter hospitals as a whole. Prevention Epicenter hospitals differed in their CDAD case definitions. Different case definitions used by the hospitals applied to a fixed data set resulted in a 30% difference in rates. No associations were identified between diagnostic test or case definition used and the relative rate of CDAD at a specific medical center.Conclusions:Rates of CDAD vary widely at tertiary-care centers across the United States. No significant increases in case rates were identified. The varying clinical and laboratory approaches to diagnosis complicated comparisons between hospitals. To facilitate benchmarking and comparisons between institutions, we recommend development of a more standardized case definition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 498.3-499
Author(s):  
P. H. Hsieh ◽  
C. Geue ◽  
O. Wu ◽  
E. McIntosh

Background:Comorbidities are prevalent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and associated with worse outcomes as well as higher economic burden. Little is known about the impact of multimorbidity on the direct and indirect costs of RA. Evidence of the incremental scale of these multimorbidity costs will usefully inform RA interventions and policies.Objectives:The aim of this study was to describe how multimorbidity impacts on the cost-of-illness, including direct and indirect costs, in patients with RA.Methods:The Scottish Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (SERA) is a registry of patients newly presenting with RA since 2011. It contains data on patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, health-related quality of life, and employment status data. These data were linked to routinely recorded hospital admissions and primary care prescribing data. Direct costs were estimated by applying relevant unit costs to healthcare resource use quantities. Indirect cost estimates were obtained from information on employment status and hospital admissions, valued by age and sex specific wages. Two-part models (probit followed by generalized linear model) were used to estimate direct and indirect costs, adjusting for age, gender, and functional disability. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score was calculated using patient ICD-10 diagnoses from hospital records. The number of comorbidities was categorized into “RA alone”, “single comorbidity” and “multimorbidity (>1 comorbidity)”.Results:Data were available for 1,150 patients, 65.7% were female and a mean age of 57.5±14 years. The majority of patients only had RA (54.1%), followed by a single comorbidity (23.4%) and multimorbidity (22.5%). Annual total costs were significantly higher for patients with multimorbidity (£6,669 95% CI £4,871-£8,466; OR 11.3 95% CI 8.14-15.87) and for patients with a single comorbidity (£2,075 95% CI £1,559-£2,591; OR 3.52 95% CI 2.61-4.79), when compared with RA alone (£590). The excess costs were mainly driven by direct costs (£6,281 versus £1,875 versus £556). Although the difference in indirect costs between patients with multimorbidity and a single comorbidity were not statistically significant (£1,218 versus £914, p=0.11), patients with multimorbidity were associated with significantly higher costs than those with RA only (£594, p<0.01).Conclusion:The presence of comorbidity contributes significant excess to both direct and indirect costs among RA patients. In particular, patients with multimorbidity incurred substantially higher direct costs than those with a single comorbidity or RA only.Acknowledgements:The study analysed the data from the Scottish Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (SERA) study with a linkage to routinely recorded health data from Information Service Division, National Service Scotland. We would like to thank all the patients, clinical and nursing colleagues who have contributed their time and support to the study, the SERA steering committee for the approval, and Allen Tervit from the Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow for the timely technical supports.Disclosure of Interests:Ping-Hsuan Hsieh: None declared, Claudia Geue: None declared, Olivia Wu Consultant of: OW has received consultancy fees from Bayer, Lupin and Takeda outside the submitted work., Emma McIntosh: None declared


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Raab ◽  
Lisa M. Pfadenhauer ◽  
Vinh-Kim Nguyen ◽  
Dansira Doumbouya ◽  
Michael Hoelscher ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A functioning Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) surveillance system in countries at risk for outbreaks can reduce early transmission in case of an outbreak. Surveillance performance depends on the application of suspect case definitions in daily clinical practice. Recommended suspect case criteria during outbreaks are designed for high sensitivity and include general symptoms, pyrexia, haemorrhage, epidemiological link and unexplained death in patients. Non-outbreak criteria are narrower, relying on the persistence of fever and the presence of haemorrhagic signs. Methods This study ascertains VHF suspect case prevalence based on outbreak and non-outbreak criteria in a Guinean regional hospital for a period of three months. The study further describes clinical trajectories of patients who meet non-outbreak VHF suspect case criteria in order to discuss challenges in their identification. We used cross-sectional data collection at triage and emergency room to record demographic and clinical data of all admitted patients during the study period. For the follow-up study with description of diagnostic trajectories of VHF suspect cases, we used retrospective chart review. Results The most common symptoms of all patients upon admission were fever, tiredness/weakness and abdominal pain. 686 patients met EVD outbreak criteria, ten adult patients and two paediatric patients met study-specific non-outbreak VHF suspect case criteria. None of the suspect cases was treated as VHF suspect case and none tested positive for malaria upon admission. Their most frequent discharge diagnosis was unspecific gastrointestinal infection. The most common diagnostic measures were haemoglobin level and glycaemia for both adults and for children; of the requested examinations for hospitalized suspect cases, 36% were not executed or obtained. Half of those patients self-discharged against medical advice. Conclusions Our study shows that the number of VHF suspect cases may vary greatly depending on which suspect case criteria are applied. Identification of VHF suspect cases seems challenging in clinical practice. We suggest that this may be due to the low use of laboratory diagnostics to support certain diagnoses and the non-application of VHF suspect case definitions in clinical practice. Future VHF suspect case management should aim to tackle such challenges in comparable hospital settings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 1134-1141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibeke Videm ◽  
Ranjeny Thomas ◽  
Matthew A. Brown ◽  
Mari Hoff

Objective.Self-reported diagnoses of inflammatory arthritis are not accurate. The primary study aim was to ascertain self-reported diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the Norwegian population-based Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) using hospital case files. The secondary aim was to provide updated estimates of the prevalence and incidence of RA and AS.Methods.All inhabitants ≥ 20 years old from the county of Nord-Trøndelag were invited. Data from 70,805 unique participants from HUNT2 (1995–1997) and HUNT3 (2006–2008) were included. For participants who self-reported RA or AS, case files from all 3 hospitals in the catchment area were evaluated using standardized diagnostic criteria.Results.Of 2703 self-reported cases of RA, 19.1% were verified in hospital files. Of 1064 self-reported cases of AS, 15.8% were verified. Of 259 cases self-reporting both RA and AS, 8.1% had RA and 5.4% had AS. Overall, a self-report of 1 or both diagnoses could not be verified in 82.1%, including 22.8% with insufficient information or no case file. The prevalence of RA was 768 (95% CI 705–835) per 100,000. The incidence of RA from HUNT2 to HUNT3 was 0.48 (0.41–0.56) per 1000 per year. The prevalence of AS was 264 (228–305) per 100,000. The incidence of AS from HUNT2 to HUNT3 was 0.19 (0.15–0.24) per 1000 per year.Conclusion.Self-reported diagnoses of RA and AS are often false-positive. The prevalence and incidence of RA were comparable to reports from similar populations. The incidence of AS was higher than previously reported in a mixed population from Norway.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S575-S576
Author(s):  
Z. Mansuri ◽  
S. Patel ◽  
P. Patel ◽  
O. Jayeola ◽  
A. Das ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo determine trends and impact on outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with pre-existing psychosis.BackgroundWhile post-AF psychosis has been extensively studied, contemporary studies including temporal trends on the impact of pre-AF psychosis on AF and post-AF outcomes are largely lacking.MethodsWe used Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from the healthcare cost and utilization project (HCUP) from year's 2002–2012. We identified AF and psychosis as primary and secondary diagnosis respectively using validated international classification of diseases, 9th revision, and Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes, and used Cochrane–Armitage trend test and multivariate regression to generate adjusted odds ratios (aOR).ResultsWe analyzed total of 3.887.827AF hospital admissions from 2002–2012 of which 1.76% had psychosis. Proportion of hospitalizations with psychosis increased from 5.23% to 14.28% (P trend < 0.001). Utilization of atrial-cardioversion was lower in patients with psychosis (0.76%v vs. 5.79%, P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with Psychosis (aOR 1.206; 95%CI 1.003–1.449; P < 0.001) and discharge to specialty care was significantly higher (aOR 4.173; 95%CI 3.934–4.427; P < 0.001). The median length of hospitalization (3.13 vs. 2.14 days; P < 0.001) and median cost of hospitalization (16.457 vs. 13.172; P < 0.001) was also higher in hospitalizations with psychosis.ConclusionsOur study displayed an increasing proportion of patients with Psychosis admitted due to AF with higher mortality and extremely higher morbidity post-AF, and significantly less utilization of atrial-cardioversion. There is a need to explore reasons behind this disparity to improve post-AF outcomes in this vulnerable population.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted R. Mikuls ◽  
James R. Cerhan ◽  
Lindsey A. Criswell ◽  
Linda Merlino ◽  
Amy S. Mudano ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratik Y Chhatbar ◽  
Jihad S Obeid ◽  
Yujing Zhao ◽  
Daniel T Lackland ◽  
Robert J Adams

Background: Readmissions after acute hospitalizations are a cause of both risk and expense, and many of them are potentially preventable. Importantly, risk-standardized hospital readmission rates are sometimes used as a yardstick of the quality of care offered. However, racial variability in readmissions might involve factors beyond quality of care and has not been studied extensively. Objective: To identify differences in readmissions between African Americans and other races and determine preventable readmissions from a pragmatic viewpoint. Methods: We obtained deidentified data from Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Electronic Data Warehouse (EDW) on adult admissions with index diagnosis considered as an ischemic stroke (or closely related) using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 433.x, 434.x, 436.x, 437.x between January 2011 and June 2014. Of these, we determined readmission and reason for readmission over 90-day period. Readmission can be hospital or emergency room readmission. We obtained race as the only linked demographic. Results: Of the 1953 patients admitted with index diagnoses of stroke, 765 (39%), 1148 (59%) and 50 (1%) were African Americans, Caucasians and others, respectively. At 90-days, 256 patients were readmitted as in-patient, of which 128 (50%), 126 (49%) and 2 (1%) were African Americans, Caucasians and others, respectively. On the other hand, 241 patients visited Emergency Room, of which 175 (73%), 65 (26%) and 1 (1%) were African Americans, Caucasians and others, respectively. On adjusting readmissions to index admissions, 17%, 11% and 4% of African Americans, Caucasians and others, respectively, were readmitted in hospital, while 23%, 6% and 2% of African Americans, Caucasians and others, respectively, visited Emergency Room over 90-days period. Conclusions: 90-days readmission rates involve African Americans in a disproportionate manner. This demands further investigation on the etiology of readmission and the care offered.


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