Parathyroidectomy and Cinacalcet Use in Medicare-Insured Kidney Transplant Recipients.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Posttransplant hyperparathyroidism is common, and treatment practices are poorly characterized. The goal of this study was to examine the incidence, associations, and outcomes of posttransplant parathyroidectomy and calcimimetic use in a cohort of Medicare-insured US kidney transplant recipients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: We used the US Renal Data System to extract demographic, clinical, and prescription data from Medicare Parts A, B, and D-insured patients who received their first kidney transplant in 2007-2013. We excluded patients with pretransplant parathyroidectomy. PREDICTORS: Calendar year of transplantation and pretransplant patient characteristics. OUTCOME: (1) Incidence of and secular trends in parathyroidectomy and cinacalcet use in the 3 years after transplant; (2) 90-day outcomes after posttransplant parathyroidectomy and cinacalcet initiation. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Temporal trends and pretransplant correlates of parathyroidectomy and cinacalcet use were assessed using proportional hazards models and multivariable Poisson regression, respectively. RESULTS: The inclusion criteria were met by 30,127 patients, of whom 10,707 used cinacalcet before transplant, 551 underwent posttransplant parathyroidectomy, and 5,413 filled≥1 prescription for cinacalcet. The rate of posttransplant parathyroidectomy was stable over time. By contrast, cinacalcet use increased during the period studied. Long dialysis vintage and pretransplant cinacalcet use were strongly associated with posttransplant parathyroidectomy and cinacalcet use. Roughly 1 in 4 patients were hospitalized within 90 days of posttransplant parathyroidectomy, with hypocalcemia-related diagnoses being the most common complication. Parathyroidectomy (vs cinacalcet initiation) was not associated with an increase in acute kidney injury. LIMITATIONS: We lacked access to laboratory data to help assess the severity of secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism. The cohort was limited to Medicare beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one-fifth of our study cohort was treated with parathyroidectomy and/or cinacalcet. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal treatment for posttransplant hyperparathyroidism.

Environmental factors linked to hospital admissions in young children due to acute viral lower respiratory infections: A bidirectional case-crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the association of the short-term exposure to environmental factors (relative humidity, temperature, NO2, SO2, O3, PM10, and CO) with hospital admissions due to acute viral lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children under two years before the COVID-19 era. METHODS: We performed a bidirectional case-crossover study in 30,445 children with ALRI under two years of age in the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) from 2013 to 2015. Environmental data were obtained from Spain's State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). The association was assessed by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Lower temperature one week before the day of the event (hospital admission) (q-value = 0.012) and higher relative humidity one week (q-value = 0.003) and two weeks (q-value<0.001) before the day of the event were related to a higher odds of hospital admissions. Higher NO2 levels two weeks before the event were associated with hospital admissions (q-value<0.001). Moreover, higher concentrations on the day of the event for SO2 (compared to lag time of 1-week (q-value = 0.026) and 2-weeks (q-value<0.001)), O3 (compared to lag time of 3-days (q-value<0.001), 1-week (q-value<0.001), and 2-weeks (q-value<0.001)), and PM10 (compared to lag time of 2-weeks (q-value<0.001)) were related to an increased odds of hospital admissions for viral ALRI. CONCLUSION: Short-term exposure to environmental factors (climatic conditions and ambient air contaminants) was linked to a higher likelihood of hospital admissions due to ALRI. Our findings emphasize the importance of monitoring environmental factors to assess the odds of ALRI hospital admissions and plan public health resources.

Neighborhood environmental factors linked to hospitalizations of older people for viral lower respiratory tract infections in Spain: a case-crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory tract viral infection (LRTI) is a significant cause of morbidity-mortality in older people worldwide. We analyzed the association between short-term exposure to environmental factors (climatic factors and outdoor air pollution) and hospital admissions with a viral LRTI diagnosis in older adults. METHODS: We conducted a bidirectional case-crossover study in 6367 patients over 65 years of age with viral LRTI and residential zip code in the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set. Spain's State Meteorological Agency was the source of environmental data. Associations were assessed using conditional logistic regression. P-values were corrected for false discovery rate (q-values). RESULTS: Almost all were hospital emergency admissions (98.13%), 18.64% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and 7.44% died. The most frequent clinical discharge diagnosis was influenza (90.25%). LRTI hospital admissions were more frequent when there were lower values of temperature and O3 and higher values of relative humidity and NO2. The regression analysis adjusted by temperatures and relative humidity showed higher concentrations at the hospital admission for NO2 [compared to the lag time of 1-week (q-value< 0.001) and 2-weeks (q-value< 0.001)] and O3 [compared to the lag time of 3-days (q-value< 0.001), 1-week (q-value< 0.001), and 2-weeks (q-value< 0.001)] were related to a higher odds of hospital admissions due to viral LRTI. Moreover, higher concentrations of PM10 at the lag time of 1-week (q-value = 0.023) and 2-weeks (q-value = 0.002), and CO at the lag time of 3-days (q-value = 0.023), 1-week (q-value< 0.001) and 2-weeks (q-value< 0.001)], compared to the day of hospitalization, were related to a higher chances of hospital admissions with viral LRTI. CONCLUSION: Unfavorable environmental factors (low temperatures, high relative humidity, and high concentrations of NO2, O3, PM10, and CO) increased the odds of hospital admissions with viral LRTI among older people, indicating they are potentially vulnerable to these environmental factors.

Effect of ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM coding system transition on identification of common conditions: An interrupted time series analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of diagnostic coding system transition on the identification of common conditions recorded in Taiwan's national claims database. METHODS: Using the National Health Insurance Research Database, we estimated the 3-month prevalence of recorded diagnosis of 32 conditions based on the ICD-9-CM codes in 2014-2015 and the ICD-10-CM codes in 2016-2017. Two algorithms were assessed for ICD-10-CM: validated ICD-10 codes in the literature and codes translated from ICD-9-CM using an established mapping algorithm. We used segmented regression analysis on time-series data to examine changes in the 3-month prevalence (both level and trend) before and after the ICD-10-CM implementation. RESULTS: Significant changes in the level were found in 19 and 11 conditions when using the ICD-10 codes from the literature and mapping algorithm, respectively. The conditions with inconsistent levels by both of the algorithms were valvular heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, mild liver disease, moderate to severe liver disease, metastatic cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and collagen vascular diseases, coagulopathy, blood loss anemia, deficiency anemia, alcohol abuse, and psychosis. Nine conditions had significant changes in the trend when using the ICD-10 codes from the literature or mapping algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: Less than half of the 32 conditions studied had a smooth transition between the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM coding systems. Researchers should pay attention to the conditions where the coding definitions result in inconsistent time series estimates.

Increasing Sepsis Rates in the United States: Results From National Inpatient Sample, 2005 to 2014.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the trends in hospitalization rates, mortality, and costs for sepsis during the years 2005 to 2014. METHODS: This was a retrospective serial cross-sectional analysis of patients ≥18 years admitted for sepsis in National Inpatient Sample. Trends in sepsis hospitalizations were estimated, and age- and sex-adjusted rates were calculated for the years 2005 to 2014. RESULTS: There were 541 694 sepsis admissions in 2005 and increased to 1 338 905 in 2014. Sepsis rates increased significantly from 1.2% to 2.7% during the years 2005 to 2014 (relative increase: 123.8%; P trend < .001). However, the relative increase changed by 105.8% (P trend < .001) after adjusting for age and sex and maintained significance. Although total cost of hospitalization due to sepsis increased significantly from US$22.2 to US$38.1 billion (P trend < .001), the mean hospitalization cost decreased significantly from US$46,470 to US$29,290 (P trend < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalizations for sepsis increased during the years 2005 to 2014. Our study paradoxically found declining rates of in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and mean hospitalization cost for sepsis. These findings could be due to biases introduced by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification coding rules and increased readmission rates or alternatively due to increased awareness and surveillance and changing disposition status. Standardized epidemiologic registries should be developed to overcome these biases.

Environmental factors are associated with hospital admissions for sepsis-related pneumonia: A bidirectional case-crossover design.

OBJECTIVE: Pneumonia is a common cause of morbidity and sepsis worldwide, mainly in the elderly. We evaluated the impact of short-term exposure to environmental factors on hospital admissions for sepsis-related pneumonia in a nationwide study in Spain. METHODS: We conducted a bidirectional case-crossover study in patients who had sepsis-related pneumonia in 2013. Data were obtained from the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) and the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) of Spain. Conditional logistic regressions were used to evaluate the association between environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity, NO2, SO2, O3, PM10, and CO) and hospital admissions with sepsis-related pneumonia. RESULTS: A total of 3,262,758 hospital admissions were recorded in the MBDS, of which, 253,467 were patients with sepsis. Among those, 67,443 had sepsis-related pneumonia and zip code information. We found inverse associations [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) values < 1] between short-term exposure to temperature and hospital admissions for sepsis-related pneumonia. Moreover, short-term exposure to higher levels of relative humidity, NO2, SO2, O3, PM10, and CO were directly associated (aOR values > 1) with a higher risk of hospital admissions for sepsis-related pneumonia. Overall, the impact of environmental factors was more prominent with increasing age, mainly among the elderly aged 65 or over. CONCLUSION: Short-term exposure to environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and PM10) was associated with a higher risk of hospital admissions for sepsis-related pneumonia. Our findings support the role of environmental factors in monitoring the risk of hospital admissions for sepsis-related pneumonia and can help plan and prepare public health resources.

Does state malpractice environment affect outcomes following spinal fusions? A robust statistical and machine learning analysis of 549,775 discharges following spinal fusion surgery in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: Spine surgery is especially susceptible to malpractice claims. Critics of the US medical liability system argue that it drives up costs, whereas proponents argue it deters negligence. Here, the authors study the relationship between malpractice claim density and outcomes. METHODS: The following methods were used: 1) the National Practitioner Data Bank was used to determine the number of malpractice claims per 100 physicians, by state, between 2005 and 2010; 2) the Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for spinal fusion patients; and 3) the Area Resource File was queried to determine the density of physicians, by state. States were categorized into 4 quartiles regarding the frequency of malpractice claims per 100 physicians. To evaluate the association between malpractice claims and death, discharge disposition, length of stay (LOS), and total costs, an inverse-probability-weighted regression-adjustment estimator was used. The authors controlled for patient and hospital characteristics. Covariates were used to train machine learning models to predict death, discharge disposition not to home, LOS, and total costs. RESULTS: Overall, 549,775 discharges following spinal fusions were identified, with 495,640 yielding state-level information about medical malpractice claim frequency per 100 physicians. Of these, 124,425 (25.1%), 132,613 (26.8%), 130,929 (26.4%), and 107,673 (21.7%) were from the lowest, second-lowest, second-highest, and highest quartile states, respectively, for malpractice claims per 100 physicians. Compared to the states with the fewest claims (lowest quartile), surgeries in states with the most claims (highest quartile) showed a statistically significantly higher odds of a nonhome discharge (OR 1.169, 95% CI 1.139-1.200), longer LOS (mean difference 0.304, 95% CI 0.256-0.352), and higher total charges (mean difference [log scale] 0.288, 95% CI 0.281-0.295) with no significant associations for mortality. For the machine learning models-which included medical malpractice claim density as a covariate-the areas under the curve for death and discharge disposition were 0.94 and 0.87, and the R2 values for LOS and total charge were 0.55 and 0.60, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal fusion procedures from states with a higher frequency of malpractice claims were associated with an increased odds of nonhome discharge, longer LOS, and higher total charges. This suggests that medicolegal climate may potentially alter practice patterns for a given spine surgeon and may have important implications for medical liability reform. Machine learning models that included medical malpractice claim density as a feature were satisfactory in prediction and may be helpful for patients, surgeons, hospitals, and payers.

Birth defects in Taiwan: A 10-year nationwide population-based, cohort study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Birth defects (BDs) are main causes of mortality and disability in infants and children. The aims of this study were to analyze the prevalence, types and risk factors of BDs in Taiwan. METHODS: Data of all births (including live and stillbirths), types, characteristics, and associated risk factors of BDs were obtained from the National Birth Registry and National Health Insurance Research Data base in Taiwan between 2005 and 2014. Birth defects were coded according to International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision-Clinical Modification codes 740-759. RESULTS: A total of 55,299 infants were diagnosed as having BDs among 2,033,004 births. The prevalence of BDs was 271.66 per 10,000 births. The prevalence of BDs did not change significantly between 2005 and 2014, there was a higher birth rate and lower BDs in 2012 (year of dragon) in Taiwan. The most common type of BDs was cardiovascular abnormalities, and ventricular septal defect was the most common disease. Extreme maternal age (<18 years or ≧30 years), preterm, and low birth weight were associated with BDs. Maternal diseases associated with BDs included hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, genitourinary infections, anemia, mental disorders, and diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of BDs was 271.66 per 10,000 births. The most common types of BDs were cardiovascular abnormalities. If we can reduce maternal chronic diseases, we will decrease the prevalence of BDs.

Descriptive evaluation of methods for identifying work-related emergency department injury visits.

BACKGROUND: Use of worker's compensation (WC) as payer underestimates work-related (WR) injuries. We evaluated three methods to identify WR injuries: WC as payer, ICD-9-CM work-status codes E000.0/E000.1, and other ICD-9-CM external cause codes. METHODS: We identified injury-related emergency department visits from North Carolina's syndromic surveillance system (2010-2013). Characteristics were compared by indicator. We manually reviewed 800 admission notes to confirm if the visit was WR or non-WR; WR keywords from the review were applied to all visits. RESULTS: 133 156 injury-related visits (age, 16 years or older) were identified: WC = 69%, work-status codes = 18%, other ICD-9-CM codes = 13%. Among manually reviewed visits: few visits identified by WC (0.3%) or work-status codes (2%) were non-WR, while 12% of other ICD-9-CM code identified visits were non-WR; 53%, 46%, and 31% of visits identified by WC, work-status codes, and other ICD-9-CM codes were WR, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support use of WC and work-status codes to capture WR injuries; other ICD-9-CM codes should be used with caution or in combination with other indicators.

Risks, costs, and outcomes of cerebrospinal fluid leaks after pediatric skull fractures: a MarketScan analysis between 2007 and 2015.

OBJECTIVE: Skull fractures are common after blunt pediatric head trauma. CSF leaks are a rare but serious complication of skull fractures; however, little evidence exists on the risk of developing a CSF leak following skull fracture in the pediatric population. In this epidemiological study, the authors investigated the risk factors of CSF leaks and their impact on pediatric skull fracture outcomes. METHODS: The authors queried the MarketScan database (2007-2015), identifying pediatric patients (age < 18 years) with a diagnosis of skull fracture and CSF leak. Skull fractures were disaggregated by location (base, vault, facial) and severity (open, closed, multiple, concomitant cerebral or vascular injury). Descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing were used to compare baseline characteristics, complications, quality metrics, and costs. RESULTS: The authors identified 13,861 pediatric patients admitted with a skull fracture, of whom 1.46% (n = 202) developed a CSF leak. Among patients with a skull fracture and a CSF leak, 118 (58.4%) presented with otorrhea and 84 (41.6%) presented with rhinorrhea. Patients who developed CSF leaks were older (10.4 years vs 8.7 years, p < 0.0001) and more commonly had skull base (n = 183) and multiple (n = 22) skull fractures (p < 0.05). These patients also more frequently underwent a neurosurgical intervention (24.8% vs 9.6%, p < 0.0001). Compared with the non-CSF leak population, patients with a CSF leak had longer average hospitalizations (9.6 days vs 3.7 days, p < 0.0001) and higher rates of neurological deficits (5.0% vs 0.7%, p < 0.0001; OR 7.0; 95% CI 3.6-13.6), meningitis (5.5% vs 0.3%, p < 0.0001; OR 22.4; 95% CI 11.2-44.9), nonroutine discharge (6.9% vs 2.5%, p < 0.0001; OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.7-5.0), and readmission (24.7% vs 8.5%, p < 0.0001; OR 3.4; 95% CI 2.5-4.7). Total costs at 90 days for patients with a CSF leak averaged $81,206, compared with $32,831 for patients without a CSF leak (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The authors found that CSF leaks occurred in 1.46% of pediatric patients with skull fractures and that skull fractures were associated with significantly increased rates of neurosurgical intervention and risks of meningitis, hospital readmission, and neurological deficits at 90 days. Pediatric patients with skull fractures also experienced longer average hospitalizations and greater healthcare costs at presentation and at 90 days.

Characterizing the risk and outcome profiles of lumbar fusion procedures in patients with opioid use disorders: a step toward improving enhanced recovery protocols for a unique patient population.

OBJECTIVEThe authors set out to conduct the first national-level study assessing the risks and outcomes for different lumbar fusion procedures in patients with opioid use disorders (OUDs) to help guide the future development of targeted enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for this unique population.METHODSData for patients with or without OUDs who underwent an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), or lateral transverse lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) for lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) were collected from the 2013-2014 National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample database. Multivariable logistic regression was implemented to analyze how OUD status impacted in-hospital complications, length of hospital stay, discharge disposition, and total charges by procedure type.RESULTSA total of 139,995 patients with LDD were identified, with 1280 patients (0.91%) also having a concurrent OUD diagnosis. Overall complication rates were higher in OUD patients (48.44% vs 31.01%, p < 0.0001). OUD patients had higher odds of pulmonary (p = 0.0006), infectious (p < 0.0001), and hematological (p = 0.0009) complications. Multivariate regression modeling of outcomes by procedure type showed that after ALIF, OUD patients had higher odds of nonhome discharge (p = 0.0007), extended hospitalization (p = 0.0002), and greater total charges (p = 0.0054). This analysis also revealed that OUD patients faced higher odds of complication (p = 0.0149 and p = 0.0471), extended hospitalization (p = 0.0439 and p = 0.0001), and higher total charges (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001) after PLIF and LLIF procedures, respectively.CONCLUSIONSObtaining a better understanding of the risks and outcomes that OUD patients face perioperatively is a necessary step toward developing more effective ERAS protocols for this vulnerable population. This study, which sought to characterize the outcome profiles for lumbar fusion procedures in OUD patients on a national level, found that this population tended to experience increased odds of complications, extended hospitalization, nonhome discharge, and higher total costs. Results from this study warrant future prospective studies to better the understanding of these associations and to further the development of better ERAS programs that may improve patient care and reduce cost burden.

Predictors of mortality for preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage: a population-based study.

PURPOSE: The goal of this longitudinal, population-level study was to examine factors affecting mortality in preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). METHODS: The study examined patients who were born at 36 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA) or less with a diagnosis of IVH between the years 2005 and 2014 using data from the New York and Nebraska State Inpatient Databases. Potential predictors for mortality were investigated with multivariable survival analysis. RESULTS: The cohort included 7437 preterm infants with IVH. All-cause inpatient mortality occurred in 746 (10.0%). The majority of deaths were in infants born at less than 25 weeks EGA (378 or 50.7%) and with birthweight less than 750 g (459 or 61.5%). Mortality was highest for children with grade IV IVH (306/848 or 36.1%), followed by grades III (203/955 or 21.3%), II (103/1328 or 7.8%), and I (134/4306 or 3.1%). Hydrocephalus was diagnosed within 6 months in 627 (8.4%) patients, with cerebrospinal fluid shunts required in 237 (3.2%). Shunts were eventually revised in 122 (51.5% of shunts), and 43 (18.1%) had infections. Multivariable Cox survival analyses found male sex (HR 1.3 [95% CI 1.1-1.5]), Asian race (HR 1.5 [1.1-2.2]), lower EGA (HR 9.9 [6.3-15.5] for < 25 weeks), higher IVH grade (HR 6.1 [4.9-7.6] for grade IV), gastrostomy (HR 4.0 [2.0-7.7]), tracheostomy (HR 3.5 [1.7-7.1]), and shunt infection (HR 3.2 [1.0-9.9]) to be independently associated with increased mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: This database is the first of its kind assembled for population-based investigations of long-term neurosurgical outcomes in preterm infants with IVH.

Frequency and Impact of Adverse Events in Inpatients: A Nationwide Analysis of Episodes between 2000 and 2015.

Despite being a potential cause of morbidity and economic costs, adverse events remain insufficiently studied. Therefore, we aimed to assess the frequency and impact of adverse events among inpatients. We analysed an administrative database containing a registration of all hospitalisations occurring in Portuguese public hospitals between 2000 and 2015. We identified all episodes with a registration of adverse events, and classified them into three categories, namely (1) misadventures of surgical and medical care, (2) complications of surgical or medical procedures, and (3) adverse drug events (including adverse drug reactions, poisoning events, and late effects). These episodes were compared over their length of stay, in-hospital mortality, and hospital costs with an equal number of hospitalisations matched for patients' and episodes' characteristics. Between 2000 and 2015, 5.8% (n = 861,372) of all Portuguese hospitalisations had a registration of at least one adverse event. Hospitalisations with registration of adverse events had a median length of stay of 8 days, median hospitalisation costs of 3060.7 Euro, and an in-hospital mortality of 6.7%. Hospitalisations with registration of misadventures of care, complications of procedures and adverse drug reactions had significantly higher lengths of stay and hospitalisation costs than their matched controls. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher for episodes of misadventures of care and complications of procedures, but lower for adverse drug events hospitalisations. Therefore, adverse events are common among inpatients, and have an important clinical and economic impact. Administrative databases may be useful in their epidemiological assessment.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: risk factors for complications and the effect of hospital volume on outcomes.

OBJECTIVE Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common form of scoliosis. Limited literature exists defining risk factors associated with outcomes during initial hospitalization in these patients. In this study, the authors investigated patient demographics, clinical and hospital characteristics impacting short-term outcomes, and costs in adolescent patients undergoing surgical deformity correction for idiopathic scoliosis. Additionally, the authors elucidate the impact of hospital surgical volume on outcomes for these patients. METHODS Using the National Inpatient Sample database and appropriate International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes, the authors identified adolescent patients (10-19 years of age) undergoing surgical deformity correction for idiopathic scoliosis during 2001-2014. For national estimates, appropriate weights provided by the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality were used. Multivariable regression techniques were employed to assess the association of risk factors with discharge disposition, postsurgical neurological complications, length of hospital stay, and hospitalization costs. RESULTS Overall, 75,106 adolescent patients underwent surgical deformity correction. The rates of postsurgical complications were estimated at 0.9% for neurological issues, 2.8% for respiratory complications, 0.8% for cardiac complications, 0.4% for infections, 2.7% for gastrointestinal complications, 0.1% for venous thromboembolic events, and 0.1% for acute renal failure. Overall, patients stayed at the hospital for an average of 5.72 days (median 5 days) and on average incurred hospitalization costs estimated at $54,997 (median $47,909). As compared with patients at low-volume centers (≤ 50 operations/year), those undergoing surgical deformity correction at high-volume centers (> 50/year) had a significantly lower likelihood of an unfavorable discharge (discharge to rehabilitation) (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03-1.30, p = 0.016) and incurred lower costs (mean $33,462 vs $56,436, p < 0.001) but had a longer duration of stay (mean 6 vs 5.65 days, p = 0.002). In terms of neurological complications, no significant differences in the odds ratios were noted between high- and low-volume centers (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.97-1.55, p = 0.091). CONCLUSIONS This study provides insight into the clinical characteristics of AIS patients and their postoperative outcomes following deformity correction as they relate to hospital volume. It provides information regarding independent risk factors for unfavorable discharge and neurological complications following surgery for AIS. The proposed estimates could be used as an adjunct to clinical judgment in presurgical planning, risk stratification, and cost containment.

Effect of delirium motoric subtypes on administrative documentation of delirium in the surgical intensive care unit.

This study compares the proportions of surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients with delirium detected using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) who received administrative documentation for delirium using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes, stratified by delirium motoric subtypes. This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a surgical ICU from 06/2012 to 05/2013. Delirium was assessed twice daily and was defined as having ≥1 positive CAM-ICU rating. Delirious patients were categorized into hyperactive/mixed and hypoactive subtypes using corresponding Richmond Agitation Sedation Scales. Administrative documentation of delirium was defined as having ≥1 of 32 unique ICD-9-CM codes. Proportions were compared using Pearson's Chi-square test. Of included patients, 40 % (423/1055) were diagnosed with delirium, and 17 % (183/1055) had an ICD-9-CM code for delirium. The sensitivity and specificity of ICD-9-CM codes for delirium were 36 and 95 %. ICD-9-CM codes for delirium were available for 42 % (95 % CI 35-48 %; 105/253) of patients with hyperactive/mixed delirium and 27 % (95 % CI 20-34 %; 46/170) of patients with hypoactive delirium (relative risk = 1.5; 95 % CI 1.2-2.0; p = 0.002). ICD-9-CM codes yielded a low sensitivity for identifying patients with CAM-ICU positive delirium and were more likely to identify hyperactive/mixed delirium compared with hypoactive delirium.

Guillain-Barré syndrome following the 2009 pandemic monovalent and seasonal trivalent influenza vaccination campaigns in Spain from 2009 to 2011: outcomes from active surveillance by a neurologist network, and records from a country-wide hospital discharge database.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown a slight excess risk in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) incidence associated with A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination campaign and seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine immunisations in 2009-2010. We aimed to assess the incidence of GBS as a potential adverse effect of A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination. METHODS: A neurologist-led network, active at the neurology departments of ten general hospitals serving an adult population of 4.68 million, conducted GBS surveillance in Spain in 2009-2011. The network, established in 1996, carried out a retrospective and a prospective study to estimate monthly alarm thresholds in GBS incidence and tested them in 1998-1999 in a pilot study. Such incidence thresholds additionally to observation of GBS cases with immunisation antecedent in the 42 days prior to clinical onset were taken as alarm signals for 2009-2011, since November 2009 onwards. For purpose of surveillance, in 2009 we updated both the available centres and the populations served by the network. We also did a retrospective countrywide review of hospital-discharged patients having ICD-9-CM code 357.0 (acute infective polyneuritis) as their principal diagnosis from January 2009 to December 2011. RESULTS: Among 141 confirmed of 148 notified cases of GBS or Miller-Fisher syndrome, Brighton 1-2 criteria in 96 %, not a single patient was identified with clinical onset during the 42-day time interval following A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination. In contrast, seven cases were seen during a similar period after seasonal campaigns. Monthly incidence figures did not, however, exceed the upper 95 % CI limit of expected incidence. A retrospective countrywide review of the registry of hospital-discharged patients having ICD-9-CM code 357.0 (acute infective polyneuritis) as their principal diagnosis did not suggest higher admission rates in critical months across the period December 2009-February 2010. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limited power and underlying reporting bias in 2010-2011, an increase in GBS incidence over background GBS, associated with A(H1N1)pdm09 monovalent or trivalent influenza immunisations, appears unlikely.

Validity of diagnostic codes and laboratory measurements to identify patients with idiopathic acute liver injury in a hospital database.

PURPOSE: The development and validation of algorithms to identify cases of idiopathic acute liver injury (ALI) are essential to facilitate epidemiologic studies on drug-induced liver injury. The aim of this study is to determine the ability of diagnostic codes and laboratory measurements to identify idiopathic ALI cases. METHODS: In this cross-sectional validation study, patients were selected from the hospital-based Utrecht Patient Oriented Database between 2008 and 2010. Patients were identified using (I) algorithms based on ICD-9-CM codes indicative of idiopathic ALI combined with sets of liver enzyme values (ALT > 2× upper limit of normal (ULN); AST > 1ULN + AP > 1ULN + bilirubin > 1ULN; ALT > 3ULN; ALT > 3ULN + bilirubin > 2ULN; ALT > 10ULN) and (II) algorithms based on solely liver enzyme values (ALT > 3ULN + bilirubin > 2ULN; ALT > 10ULN). Hospital medical records were reviewed to confirm final diagnosis. The positive predictive value (PPV) of each algorithm was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 707 cases of ALI were identified. After medical review 194 (27%) patients had confirmed idiopathic ALI. The PPV for (I) algorithms with an ICD-9-CM code as well as abnormal tests ranged from 32% (13/41) to 48% (43/90) with the highest PPV found with ALT > 2ULN. The PPV for (II) algorithms with liver test abnormalities was maximally 26% (150/571). CONCLUSIONS: The algorithm based on ICD-9-CM codes indicative of ALI combined with abnormal liver-related laboratory tests is the most efficient algorithm for identifying idiopathic ALI cases. However, cases were missed using this algorithm, because not all ALI cases had been assigned the relevant diagnostic codes in daily practice.

Risk factors associated with the surgical management of craniopharyngiomas in pediatric patients: analysis of 1961 patients from a national registry database.

OBJECTIVE Patient demographic characteristics, hospital volume, and admission status have been shown to impact surgical outcomes of sellar region tumors in adults; however, the data available following the resection of craniopharyngiomas in the pediatric population remain limited. The authors sought to identify potential risk factors associated with outcomes following surgical management of pediatric craniopharyngiomas. METHODS The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database and Kids' Inpatient Database were analyzed to include admissions for pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) who underwent a transcranial or transsphenoidal craniotomy for resection of a craniopharyngioma. Patient-level factors, including age, race, comorbidities, and insurance type, as well as hospital factors were collected. Outcomes analyzed included mortality rate, endocrine and nonendocrine complications, hospital charges, and length of stay. A multivariate model controlling for variables analyzed was constructed to examine significant independent risk factors. RESULTS Between 2000 and 2011, 1961 pediatric patients were identified who underwent a transcranial (71.2%) or a transsphenoidal (28.8%) craniotomy for resection of a craniopharyngioma. A major predilection for age was observed with the selection of a transcranial (23.4% in < 7-year-olds, 28.1% in 7- to 12-year-olds, and 19.7% in 13- to 18-year-olds) versus transphenoidal (2.9% in < 7-year-olds, 7.4% in 7- to 12-year-olds, and 18.4% in 13- to 18-year-olds) approach. No significant outcomes were associated with a particular surgical approach, except that 7- to 12-year-old patients had a higher risk of nonendocrine complications (relative risk [RR] 2.42, 95% CI 1.04-5.65, p = 0.04) with the transsphenoidal approach when compared with 13- to 18-year-old patients. The overall inpatient mortality rate was 0.5% and the most common postoperative complication was diabetes insipidus (64.2%). There were no independent factors associated with inpatient mortality rates and no significant differences in outcomes among groups based on sex and race. The average length of stay was 11.8 days, and the mean hospital charge was $116,5 22. Hospitals with medium and large bed capacity were protective against nonendocrine complications (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.3-0.93, p = 0.03 [medium]; RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.8, p < 0.01 [large]) and total complications (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.97, p = 0.03 [medium]; RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51-0.9, p < 0.01 [large]) when compared with hospitals with small bed capacity (< 200 beds). Patients admitted to rural hospitals had an increased risk for nonendocrine complications (RR 2.56, 95% CI 1.11-5.9, p = 0.03). The presence of one or more medical comorbidities increased the risk of higher total complications (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.14-1.68), p < 0.01 [1 comorbidity]; RR 2.37, 95% CI 1.98-2.84, p < 0.01 [≥ 2 comorbidities]) and higher total hospital charges (RR 2.9, 95% CI 1.08-7.81, p = 0.04 [1 comorbidity]; RR 9.1, 95% CI 3.74-22.12, p < 0.01 [≥ 2 comorbidities]). CONCLUSIONS This analysis identified patient age, comorbidities, insurance type, hospital bed capacity, and rural or nonteaching hospital status as independent risk factors for postoperative complications and/or increased hospital charges in pediatric patients with craniopharyngioma. Transsphenoidal surgery in younger patients with craniopharyngioma was a risk factor for nonendocrine complications.

Thirty-day readmission and reoperation after surgery for spinal tumors: a National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to use a large national registry to evaluate the 30-day cumulative incidence and predictors of adverse events, readmissions, and reoperations after surgery for primary and secondary spinal tumors. METHODS Data from adult patients who underwent surgery for spinal tumors (2011-2014) were extracted from the prospective National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) registry. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of reoperation, readmission, and major complications (death, neurological, cardiopulmonary, venous thromboembolism [VTE], surgical site infection [SSI], and sepsis). Variables screened included patient age, sex, tumor location, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical classification, preoperative functional status, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, case urgency, and operative time. Additional variables that were evaluated when analyzing readmission included complications during the surgical hospitalization, hospital length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition. RESULTS Among the 2207 patients evaluated, 51.4% had extradural tumors, 36.4% had intradural extramedullary tumors, and 12.3% had intramedullary tumors. By spinal level, 20.7% were cervical lesions, 47.4% were thoracic lesions, 29.1% were lumbar lesions, and 2.8% were sacral lesions. Readmission occurred in 10.2% of patients at a median of 18 days (interquartile range [IQR] 12-23 days); the most common reasons for readmission were SSIs (23.7%), systemic infections (17.8%), VTE (12.7%), and CNS complications (11.9%). Predictors of readmission were comorbidities (dyspnea, hypertension, and anemia), disseminated cancer, preoperative steroid use, and an extended hospitalization. Reoperation occurred in 5.3% of patients at a median of 13 days (IQR 8-20 days) postoperatively and was associated with preoperative steroid use and ASA Class 4-5 designation. Major complications occurred in 14.4% of patients: the most common complications and their median time to occurrence were VTE (4.5%) at 9 days (IQR 4-19 days) postoperatively, SSIs (3.6%) at 18 days (IQR 14-25 days), and sepsis (2.9%) at 13 days (IQR 7-21 days). Predictors of major complications included dependent functional status, emergency case status, male sex, comorbidities (dyspnea, bleeding disorders, preoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome, preoperative leukocytosis), and ASA Class 3-5 designation (p < 0.05). The median hospital LOS was 5 days (IQR 3-9 days), the 30-day mortality rate was 3.3%, and the median time to death was 20 days (IQR 12.5-26 days). CONCLUSIONS In this NSQIP analysis, 10.2% of patients undergoing surgery for spinal tumors were readmitted within 30 days, 5.3% underwent a reoperation, and 14.4% experienced a major complication. The most common complications were SSIs, systemic infections, and VTE, which often occurred late (after discharge from the surgical hospitalization). Patients were primarily readmitted for new complications that developed following discharge rather than exacerbation of complications from the surgical hospital stay. The strongest predictors of adverse events were comorbidities, preoperative steroid use, and higher ASA classification. These models can be used by surgeons to risk-stratify patients preoperatively and identify those who may benefit from increased surveillance following hospital discharge.