Clinical and health care utilization variables can predict 90-day hospital re-admission in adults with Crohn's disease for point of care risk evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Hospital re-admission for persons with Crohn's disease (CD) is a significant contributor to morbidity and healthcare costs. We derived prediction models of risk of 90-day re-hospitalization among persons with CD that could be applied at hospital discharge to target outpatient interventions mitigating this risk. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in persons with CD admitted between 2009 and 2016 for an acute CD-related indication. Demographic, clinical, and health services predictor variables were ascertained through chart review and linkage to administrative health databases. We derived and internally validated a multivariable logistic regression model of 90-day CD-related re-hospitalization. We selected the optimal probability cut-point to maximize Youden's index. RESULTS: There were 524 CD hospitalizations and 57 (10.9%) CD re-hospitalizations within 90 days of discharge. Our final model included hospitalization within the prior year (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76-6.08), gastroenterologist consultation within the prior year (aOR 0.185, 95% CI 0.0950-0.360), intra-abdominal surgery during index hospitalization (aOR 0.216, 95% CI 0.0500-0.934), and new diagnosis of CD during index hospitalization (aOR 0.327, 95% CI 0.0950-1.13). The model demonstrated good discrimination (optimism-corrected c-statistic value 0.726) and excellent calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit p-value 0.990). The optimal model probability cut point allowed for a sensitivity of 71.9% and specificity of 70.9% for identifying 90-day re-hospitalization, at a false positivity rate of 29.1% and false negativity rate of 28.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic, clinical, and health services variables can help discriminate persons with CD at risk of early re-hospitalization, which could permit targeted post-discharge intervention.

Same-day discharge vs. overnight stay following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis by the European Heart Rhythm Association Health Economics Committee.

AIMS: Same-day discharge (SDD) after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) may address the growing socio-economic health burden of the increasing demand for interventional AF therapies. This systematic review and meta-analysis analyses the current evidence on clinical outcomes in SDD after AF ablation compared with overnight stay (ONS). METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic search of the PubMed database was performed. Pre-defined endpoints were complications at short-term (24-96 h) and 30-day post-discharge, re-hospitalization, and/or emergency room (ER) visits at 30-day post-discharge, and 30-day mortality. Twenty-four studies (154 716 patients) were included. Random-effects models were applied for meta-analyses of pooled endpoint prevalence in the SDD cohort and for comparison between SDD and ONS cohorts. Pooled estimates for complications after SDD were low both for short-term [2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1-5%; I2: 89%) and 30-day follow-up (2%; 95% CI: 1-4%; I2: 91%). There was no significant difference in complications rates between SDD and ONS [short-term: risk ratio (RR): 1.62; 95% CI: 0.52-5.01; I2: 37%; 30 days: RR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.42-1.00; I2: 95%). Pooled rates of re-hospitalization/ER visits after SDD were 4% (95% CI: 1-10%; I2: 96%) with no statistically significant difference between SDD and ONS (RR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.58-1.27; I2: 61%). Pooled 30-day mortality was low after SDD (0%; 95% CI: 0-1%; I2: 33%). All studies were subject to a relevant risk of bias, mainly due to study design. CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis including a large contemporary cohort, SDD after AF ablation was associated with low prevalence of post-discharge complications, re-hospitalizations/ER visits and mortality, and a similar risk compared with ONS. Due to limited quality of current evidence, further prospective, randomized trials are needed to confirm safety of SDD and define patient- and procedure-related prerequisites for successful and safe SDD strategies.

Home-based management on hospital re-admission rates in COPD patients: A systematic review.

AIM: To determine the impact of home-based management on hospital re-admission rates in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN: Systematic review methodology was utilized, combining meta-analysis, where appropriate, or a narrative analysis of the data from included studies. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase and SAGE journals for primary papers, 2015 to 2021, were searched between December 2020 and March 2021, followed by hand-searching key journals, and reference lists of retrieved papers. METHODS: The review followed the guidance of PRISMA. Data were extracted using a predesigned data extraction tool. Quality appraisal was undertaken using RevMan 'risk of bias' tool. Meta-analysis was undertaken using RevMan software. RESULTS: This review integrates evidence from eight studies, five Random Control Trials, two observational studies and one retrospective study. The studies span three continents, Asia, Europe and North America, and include 3604 participants with COPD. Home-based management in patients with COPD resulted in a statistically significant reduction in rates of hospital readmission. For the outcomes, length of stay and mortality, while slightly in favour of home-based management, the results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Given the burden of COPD on healthcare systems, and crucially on individuals, this review identified a reduction in hospital re-admission rate, a clinically important outcome. IMPACT: This study focused on the impact on hospital re-admission rates among the COPD patient cohort when home-based management was involved. A statistically significant reduction in rates of re-admission to the hospital was identified. This is positive for the patient, in terms of hospital avoidance, and reduces the burden on hospital systems. Further research is needed to determine the impact on cost-effectiveness and to quantify the most ideal type of care package that would be recommended for home-based management.

When is it safe for the liver donor to be discharged home and prevent unnecessary re-hospitalizations? - A systematic review of the literature and expert panel recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available on discharge criteria after living liver donation (LLD). OBJECTIVES: To identify the features for fit for discharge checklist after LLD to prevent unnecessary re-hospitalizations and to provide international expert recommendations. DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central. METHODS: Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and recommendations using the GRADE approach derived from an international expert panel. The critical outcomes included were complications rates and liver function (defined by elevated bilirubin and INR) (CRD42021260725). RESULTS: Total 57/1710 studies were included in qualitative analysis and 28/57 on the final analysis. No randomized controlled trials were identified. The complications rate was reported in 20/28 studies and ranged from 7.8% to 71.2%. Post hepatectomy liver function was reported in 13 studies. The Quality of Evidence (QoE) was Low and Very-Low for complications rate and liver function test, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring and prevention of donor complications should be crucial in decision making of discharge. Pain and diet control, removal of all drains and catheters, deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis, and use routine imaging (CT scan or liver ultrasound) before discharge should be included as fit for discharge checklist (QoE; Low | GRADE of recommendation; Strong). Transient Impaired liver function (defined by elevated bilirubin and INR), a prognostic marker of outcome after liver resection, usually occurs after donor right hepatectomy and should be monitored. Improving trends for bilirubin and INR value should be observed by day 5 post hepatectomy and be included in the fit for discharge checklist. (QoE; Very-Low | GRADE; Strong).

Exploring risk factors for re-hospitalization in a psychiatric inpatient setting: a retrospective naturalistic study.

BACKGROUND: The reduction of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations is an important clinical challenge in mental health care. In fact, psychiatric re-hospitalization negatively affects the quality of life and the life expectancy of patients with psychiatric disorders. For these reasons, identifying predictors of re-hospitalization is important for better managing psychiatric patients. The first purpose of the present study was to examine the readmission rate in a large sample of inpatients with a psychiatric disorder. Second, we investigated the role of several demographical and clinical features impacting re-hospitalization.  METHOD: This retrospective study enrolled 1001 adult inpatients (510 men and 491 women) consecutively admitted to the University Psychiatric Clinic, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome between January 2018 and January 2022. To identify risk factors for psychiatric re-hospitalization, we divided the sample into 3 subgroups: the Zero-Re group which had no readmission after the index hospitalization, the One-Re group with patients re-admitted only once, and the Two-Re with at least two re-admissions.  RESULTS: The groups differed according to previous hospitalizations, a history of suicide attempts, age at onset, and length of stay. Furthermore, the results of the regression model demonstrated that the Two-Re group was more likely to have a history of suicide attempts and previous hospitalizations. DISCUSSION: These results indicate the importance of assessing risk factors in psychiatric hospitalized patients and implementing ad hoc prevention strategies for reducing subsequent re-hospitalizations.

Use of telemedicine in patients with heart failure.

Chronic heart failure (HF), like any chronic disease, is a medical and socioeconomic burden. The number of patients with HF is increasing and our effort is to apply the most effective way of care in practice, preferably together with using telemedicine. Early diagnosis, therapy establishment and reduction of rehospitalizations play the key role in HF management. For patients for whom we add telemedicine (telephone consultation, physiological data transfer, data transfer from implantable devices, teleconsultation) and especially if we are able to provide the background of a well-functioning telemedicine center that is able to respond promptly to the data, we can recognize and respond to the deterioration in health status in a timely manner. Telemedicine has benefit in all aspects of care mentioned above, but mostly in the reduction of re-hospitalizations, which is related to the reduction of morbidity and mortality. Telemedicine in HF is also cost-effective.

Features and long-term outcomes of patients hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute metabolic complication characterized by hyperglycaemia, ketones in blood or urine, and acidosis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize features of patients hospitalized for DKA, to identify triggers for DKA and to evaluate the long-term effects of DKA on glycaemic control, complications of diabetes, re-hospitalizations, and mortality. METHODS: Historical prospectively collected data of patients hospitalized to medical wards for DKA between 2011 and 2017. Data regarding comorbidities, mortality, triggers, and re-hospitalizations for DKA were also collected. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 160 patients (mean age 38 ± 18 years, 43% male). One fifth of the patients (34 patients, 21%) were newly diagnosed with diabetes, and DKA was their first presentation of the disease. Among the 126 patients with pre-existing diabetes, the common identified triggers for DKA were poor compliance to treatment (22%) and infectious diseases (18%). During over 7 years of follow-up, mortality rate was 9% (15 patients), and re-hospitalization for DKA rate was 31% (50 patients). Risk factors for re-hospitalization for DKA included young age (OR = 1.02, 95% CI, 1.00-1.04), pre-existing diabetes compared to DKA as the first presentation (OR = 5.4, 95% CI, 1.7-18), and poorer glycaemic control before initial hospitalization (10.5 ± 2.5% vs. 9.4 ± 2.2%; OR = 0.8, 95% CI [0.68-0.96]) and after discharge (10.3 ± 2.4% vs. 9.0 ± 1.9%; OR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.61-0.87]). Laboratory tests during the initial hospitalization, smoking, alcohol, or comorbidities did not increase the risk for re-hospitalization for DKA. CONCLUSIONS: The risk for readmission for DKA is higher for young patients with long duration of diabetes, poor compliance of insulin treatment and poorly controlled diabetes.

Clinical characteristics of re-hospitalized COVID-19 patients with recurrent positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA: a retrospective study.

At present, it has been noticed that some patients recovered from COVID-19 present a recurrent positive RNA test of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) after being discharged from hospitals. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the clinical features of re-hospitalized patients with recurrent SARS-CoV-2 positive results. From January 12 to April 1 of 2020, our retrospective study was conducted in China. The exposure history, baseline data, laboratory findings, therapeutic schedule, and clinical endpoints of the patients were collected. All the patients were followed until April 10, 2020. Among all COVID-19 patients included in the current study, there were 14 re-hospitalized patients due to recurrent positive tests of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Fever (11 [78.6%]), cough (10 [71.4%]), and fatigue (7 [50.0%]) were the most common symptoms on the patient's first admission, and less symptoms were found on their second admission. The average duration from the onset of symptoms to admission to hospital was found to be 8.4 days for the first admission and 2.6 days for the second admission (P = 0.002). The average time from the detection of RNA (+) to hospitalization was 1.9 days for the first admission and 2.6 days for the second admission (P = 0.479), and the average time from RNA (+) to RNA (-) was 11.1 days for the first admission and 6.3 days for the second admission (P = 0.030). Moreover, the total time in hospital was 18.6 days for the first admission and 8.0 days for the second admission (P = 0.000). It may be necessary to increase the isolation observation time and RT-PCR tests should be timely performed on multiple samples as soon as possible.

Risk factors for readmission of children hospitalized with acute asthma attacks in South China.

OBJECTIVE: Asthma seriously endangers the health of children. Re-hospitalization for childhood asthma consumes a large amount of medical and health resources. The present study aimed to assess the rates and risk factors for hospital readmission of children with acute asthma attacks in south China. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 1702 acute asthma patients aged < 18 years from 1/1/2007 to 12/31/2015. Patients who were readmitted within one year after index hospital discharge were divided into a readmission group. Index hospitalization data were acquired from clinical records. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the risk factors. RESULTS: There were 90 (5.29%) readmitted patients from 1702 acute asthma patients. Considering the large sample differences between readmitted and single-admitted patients, 123 single-admitted patients (1.5-fold as many as the readmitted group) were randomly selected. Further univariate Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the predictors of readmission included eczema history (odds ratio (OR) 3.122, p = 0.003) and mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) antibody immunoglobulin M(IgM) (OR 2.386, p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Among the children admitted to a hospital in south China with acute asthma attacks, 5.29% were readmitted within the following year. Patients with history of eczema and positive MP antibody IgM had significantly increased the chances of one-year readmission, underlining the importance of targeted long-term postdischarge follow-up of these children.

Risk factors for re-hospitalization following neonatal discharge of extremely preterm infants in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: Survivors of extremely preterm birth are at risk of re-hospitalization but risk factors in the Canadian population are unknown. Our objective is to identify neonatal, sociodemographic, and geographic characteristics that predict re-hospitalization in Canadian extremely preterm neonates. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospective observational cohort study that included preterm infants born 22 to 28 weeks' gestational age from April 1, 2009 to September 30, 2011 and seen at 18 to 24 months corrected gestational age in a Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network clinic. Characteristics of infants re-hospitalized versus not re-hospitalized are compared. The potential neonatal, sociodemographic, and geographic factors with significant association in the univariate analysis are included in a multivariate model. RESULTS: From a total of 2,275 preterm infants born at 22 to 28 weeks gestation included, 838 (36.8%) were re-hospitalized at least once. There were significant disparities between Canadian provincial regions, ranging from 25.9% to 49.4%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors associated with an increased risk for re-hospitalization were region of residence, male sex, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, prolonged neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, ethnicity, Indigenous ethnicity, and sibling(s) in the home. CONCLUSION: Various neonatal, sociodemographic, and geographic factors predict re-hospitalization of extremely preterm infants born in Canada. The risk factors of re-hospitalization provide insights to help health care leaders explore potential preventative approaches to improve child health and reduce health care system costs.

Identifying patterns in psychiatric hospital stays with statistical methods: towards a typology of post-deinstitutionalization hospitalization trajectories.

PURPOSE: Over the past 50 years, deinstitutionalization changed the face of psychiatry. However, outpatient treatment in the community does not always fit the needs of those who left institutions and sometimes leads to frequent re-hospitalizations, a mechanism known as the "revolving door" phenomenon. The study aim was to identify different typologies of hospitalization trajectories. METHODS: Records of 892 inpatients from the Department of Psychiatry of Lausanne University Hospital were analyzed over a 3-year period with discrete sequential-state analysis. RESULTS: Trajectories could be split between atypical users (4.9% of patients totalling 30.6% of hospital days) and regular users. Within the atypical users group, three categories were identified: "Permanent stays" (3 patients totalling 6.3% of hospital days), "long stays" (1.7% patients/8.6% hospital days) and "revolving door" stays (2.9% patients/15.8% hospital days). The remaining 95.1% of the patients were classified into "unique episodes" (70.0% patients/24.5% hospital days) and "repeated episodes" (25.0% patients/44.9% hospital days). Diagnoses of schizophrenia were overrepresented among heavy users. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients went through a unique or low number of brief hospital admissions over the 3 years of the study. While the shift of previously institutionalized individuals towards high users of psychiatric hospital seems limited, this phenomenon should not be neglected since 4.9% of patients use about a third of hospital beds. Early identification of problematic profiles could allow the implementation of relapse prevention strategies and facilitate the development of alternatives to hospitalization such as assertive community treatment or housing first programs.

LINC00311 is overexpressed in ankylosing spondylitis and predict treatment outcomes and recurrence.

BACKGROUND: LncRNA LINC00311 participates in osteoporosis, which shows inverse pathological changes to ankylosing spondylitis (AS), indicating that LINC00311 is also involved in AS. METHODS: All the participants were enrolled in Ganzhou People's Hospital between January 2016 and January 2018 after this study was approved by Ganzhou People's Hospital Ethics Committee. Disease activity determination, follow-up and RT-qPCR were carried out during the research. RESULTS: In the present study we found that LINC00311 was upregulated in AS patients comparing to healthy controls, and upregulation of LINC00311 distinguished AS patients from healthy controls. LINC00311 expression levels were positively correlated with disease activity. Comparing to pre-treatment levels, LINC00311 expression level decreased significantly after treatment. During 2-year follow-up, patients with high levels of LINC00311 showed a significantly higher rate of rehospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, LINC00311 is overexpressed in AS and predict treatment outcomes and recurrence.

Self-management of congestive heart failure among elderly men in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to explore the process of self-management in elderly male patients with congestive heart failure among those who have had not needed re-hospitalization for more than 2 years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 male congestive heart failure patients. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using the modified grounded theory approach. As a result of the analysis, the core concept identified was a process of living life such that symptoms do not worsen, while balancing good choices and preferences. By trial and error, the men tried to find the limits of physical capacity and dietary choices that would lead to the worsening of symptoms, while also trying to maintain quality of life to the extent possible.

Relationship Between Serum Sodium Level Within the Low-Normal Range on Admission and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Although hyponatremia during hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is reportedly related with poor prognosis, the available data regarding the impact of serum sodium level within the low-normal range at admission on clinical events in patients with ADHF is limited.We studied eligible patients admitted to our institution in 2007-2011. All the patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the admission serum sodium levels of < 135 mmol/L (hyponatremia), ≥ 135 and < 140 mmol/L (low-normal range), or ≥ 140 mmol/L (normal range). The association between admission serum sodium levels and long-term clinical events, a composite of all-cause deaths and re-hospitalizations for ADHF, was assessed by multivariable Cox proportional analysis.Of the 584 eligible patients, 208 (35.6%) were in the low-normal range and 99 (16.9%) had hyponatremia on admission. On multivariable analysis, compared with those with a sodium level ≥ 140 mmol/L, patients with hyponatremia were at increased risk for clinical events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.53; P = 0.041), whereas the HR of those in the low-normal range was attenuated and insignificant (HR, 1.08; P = 0.625). However, the HR of each category increased significantly as sodium level decreased (P value for HR trend, 0.024). In addition, when serum sodium level was treated as a continuous variable, the lower the serum sodium level, the greater the risk of clinical events (P = 0.012). The cut-off value of serum sodium level to predict mortality was < 138 mmol/L.In conclusion, a low serum sodium level on admission for ADHF, even if low-normal, can increase the risk of long-term mortality and/or re-hospitalization for ADHF.

An international multi-site, randomized controlled trial of a mindfulness-based psychoeducation group programme for people with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to test a mindfulness-based psychoeducation group (MBPEG), v. a conventional psychoeducation group (CPEG) v. treatment as usual (TAU), in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders over a 24-month follow-up. METHOD: This single-blind, multi-site, pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted in six community treatment facilities across three countries (Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan). Patients were randomly allocated to one of the treatment conditions, and underwent 6 months of treatment. The primary outcomes were changes in duration of re-hospitalizations and mental state (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale; PANSS) between baseline and 1 week, and 6, 12 and 18 months post-treatment. RESULTS: A total of 300 patients in each country were assessed for eligibility between October 2013 and 30 April 2014, 38 patients per country (n = 342) were assigned to each treatment group and included in the intention-to-treat analysis. There was a significant difference in the length of re-hospitalizations between the three groups over 24 months (F 2,330 = 5.23, p = 0.005), with MBPEG participants having a shorter mean duration of re-hospitalizations than those in the other groups. The MBPEG and CPEG participants had significant differential changes in proportional odds ratios of complete remission (all individual PANSS items <3) over the 24-month follow-up (37 and 26%, respectively), as opposed to only 7.2% of the TAU group (χ2 = 8.9 and 8.0, p = 0.001 and 0.003, relative risk = 3.5 and 3.1, 95% confidence interval 2.0-7.2 and 1.6-6.3). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with TAU and CPEG, MBPEG improves remission and hospitalization rates of people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders over 24 months.

Concomitant use of calcium channel blockers with dual antiplatelet therapy and re-hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Existing studies suggested that concomitant use of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) may interfere with the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of concomitant use of CCBs and clopidogrel on risks of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) re-hospitalization in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 51 925 patients who were admitted for newly diagnosed ACS, received percutaneous coronary intervention, and used clopidogrel within 1 year after discharge. We further stratified them into three groups based on their uses of guideline-recommended secondary prevention medications for ACS (fully, partially, and non-compliant groups) to assess the potential modification effect of guideline compliance. For each group, we conducted a 1:1 propensity score matching to minimize selection bias. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the effect of concomitant use of CCBs (overall, subclasses, and individual CCBs) and clopidogrel on risks of ACS re-hospitalization. RESULTS: Concomitant use of CCBs in patients discharged with clopidogrel was significantly associated with a lower risk of ACS re-hospitalization in the fully compliant group (HRfully compliant = 0.82 [95% confidence interval 0.75-0.89], p < 0.001) but was associated with increased risk of ACS re-hospitalization in the non-compliant group (HRnon-compliant = 1.22 [1.03-1.45], p = 0.0252). CONCLUSIONS: Different guideline compliance of secondary prevention medications could modify the potential drug-drug interaction between clopidogrel and CCBs. Concomitant use of CCBs and clopidogrel was significantly associated with increased risk of ACS re-hospitalization in ACS patients not compliant to guideline-recommended secondary prevention drugs. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Which factors affect the hospital re-admission and re-hospitalization after flexible ureterorenoscopy for kidney stone?

PURPOSE: To investigate patient- and procedure-related factors associated with hospital re-admission (HR) and re-hospitalization following flexible ureteroscopy (f-URS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of patients who underwent f-URS for renal stones in two reference centers between 2011 and 2015 were examined retrospectively. Patients who were re-admitted to the hospital or re-hospitalized for any reason within 30 days after hospital discharge related to the f-URS procedure were evaluated. The patient- and procedure-related factors affecting the re-admission and re-hospitalization rates were revealed using backward stepwise multiple binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study included 647 patients with a mean age of 46.1 ± 13.7 years. The mean BMI was 27.3 ± 4.6 kg/m(2), and the median ASA score was 1.85. The mean stone diameter was 14.2 ± 5.3 mm. The mean operation and fluoroscopy times were 50.2 ± 16.9 min and 43.1 ± 37.6 s, respectively. The mean hospitalization time was 1.42 ± 0.84 days, and the complication rate was 12.8 % (83/647). Overall, 523 (80.3 %) patients became stone-free, while residual fragments <4 mm were detected in 73 (11.3 %) patients. The procedure failed in 7.9 % of the cases. While 82 (12.7 %) patients were re-admitted, 31 (4.8 %) patients were re-hospitalized for further treatment. Stone-free status was an independent predictor of HR, while the stone-free status, hospitalization time, and postoperative complications all predicted re-hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: We found that inability to achieve stone-free status predicted HR and re-hospitalization, while postoperative complication and prolonged hospitalization also predicted re-hospitalization.

Octogenarians died mainly of cardiovascular diseases five years after acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: A substantial part of deaths and readmissions in octogenarians with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is assumed to be of non-cardiovascular causes. However, limited data on cause-specific long-term mortality and hospital readmissions are available. This study was aimed to investigate 5-year cause-specific deaths and re-hospitalizations as well as their prognostic predictors among octogenarians with ACS managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 181 octogenarians managed with PCI on ACS indication during 2006-2007 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital were included. The time-period was chosen to allow a follow-up period of five years. RESULTS: All-cause 5-year mortality was 46%. Approximately 70% of deaths were cardiovascular. All-cause hospital readmissions were 71%. The majority of readmissions were due to non-cardiovascular diseases, 61% of all readmissions. Cox proportional-hazard regression analyses for cardiovascular mortality identified female sex and culprit lesion in left coronary arteries as independent predictors. Negative binomial regression models showed female sex and complications during index hospitalization as independent predictors of increased cardiovascular re-hospitalizations and prior smoking as independent predictor of increased non-cardiovascular re-hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: In an octogenarian cohort presented with ACS treated with PCI, cardiovascular diseases were the main causes of deaths, whereas non-cardiovascular diseases were the main causes of re-hospitalizations.

Thirty-day re-admission after traumatic brain injury: Results from MarketScan®.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the national 30-day re-admission rate after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in insured patients under age 65 and to examine factors that predict re-admission. METHODS: This study reviewed data on patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of TBI in the MarketScan® database from 2010-2012. Patients with substantial concurrent injury to non-head regions were excluded. This study identified all hospitalizations within 30 days after index discharge and compared characteristics of patients who were re-admitted vs those who were not. RESULTS: This study identified 26 831 patients with a primary diagnosis of TBI who survived the index hospitalization. Overall, 6.6% of patients were re-admitted within 30 days. TBI was the most common primary diagnosis for re-admission (28.5%), followed by psychiatric disorders (12.5%). Patients who were older, had a head Abbreviated Injury Score of 3 or more, one or more comorbidities, longer length of stay or who were discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility demonstrated greater odds of being re-admitted within 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with re-admission after TBI should be considered in discharge planning. Further research is warranted to examine re-admission beyond 30 days and further elucidate causes of re-admission in order to develop strategies to reduce re-admission among patients with TBI.

Care pathways and healthcare use of stroke survivors six months after admission to an acute-care hospital in France in 2012.

INTRODUCTION: Care pathways and healthcare management are not well described for patients hospitalized for stroke. METHODS: Among the 51 million beneficiaries of the French national health insurance general scheme (77% of the French population), patients hospitalized for a first stroke in 2012 and still alive six months after discharge were included using data from the national health insurance information system (Sniiram). Patient characteristics were described by discharge destination-home or rehabilitation center (for < 3 months)-and were followed during their first three months back home. RESULTS: A total of 61,055 patients had a first admission to a public or private hospital for stroke (mean age; 72 years, 52% female), 13% died during their stay and 37% were admitted to a stroke management unit. Overall, 40,981 patients were still alive at six months: 33% of them were admitted to a rehabilitation center (mean age: 73 years) and 54% were discharged directly to their home (mean age 67 years). For each group, 45 and 62% had been previously admitted to a stroke unit. Patients discharged to rehabilitation centers had more often comorbidities, 39% were highly physically dependent and 44% were managed in specialized neurology centers. For patients with a cerebral infarction who were directly discharged to their home 76% received at least one antihypertensive drug, 96% an antithrombotic drug and 76% a lipid-lowering drug during the following month. For those with a cerebral hemorrhage, these frequencies were respectively 46, 33 and 28%. For those admitted to a rehabilitation center, more than half had at least one visit with a physiotherapist or a nurse, 15% a speech therapist, 10% a neurologist or a cardiologist and 15% a psychiatrist during the following three months back home (average numbers of visits for those with at least one visit: 23 for physiotherapists and 100 for nurses). Patients who returned directly back home had fewer physiotherapist (30%) or nurse (47%) visits but more medical consultations. The 3-month re-hospitalization rate for patients who were discharged directly to their home was 23% for those who had been admitted to a stroke unit and 25% for the others. In rehabilitation centers, this rate was 10% for patients who stayed < 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: These results illustrate the value of administrative databases to study stroke management, care pathways and ambulatory care. These data should be used to improve care pathways, organization, discharge planning and treatments.