High readmission rates are associated with a significant economic burden and poor outcome in patients with grade III/IV acute GvHD.

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a common complication following haematopoietic stem cell transplant but little is published about the impact of this condition on hospital readmission rates. We report a retrospective analysis of readmission rates and associated costs in 187 consecutive allogeneic transplant patients to assess the impact of GvHD. The overall readmission rate was higher in patients with GvHD (86% (101/118) vs. 59% (41/69), p < 0.001). The readmission rate was higher both in the first 100 d from transplant (p = 0.02) and in the first year following transplant (p < 0.001). 151/455 (33%) of all readmission episodes occurred within 100 d of transplant. The mean number of inpatient days was significantly higher in patients with grade III/IV acute GvHD (101 d) compared with those with grade I/II GvHD (70 d; p = 0.003). The mean cost of readmission was higher in patients with GvHD (£28 860) than in non-GvHD patients (£13 405; p = 0.002) and in patients with grade III/IV GvHD (£40 012) compared with those patients with grade I/II GvHD (£24 560; p = 0.038). Survival was higher in those with grade I/II GvHD (55%) compared to grade III/IV GvHD (14%; p < 0.001). This study shows the high economic burden and poor overall survival associated with grade III/IV GvHD.

Determining the incidence of interstitial pneumonitis and chronic kidney disease following full intensity haemopoetic stem cell transplant conditioned using a forward-planned intensity modulated total body irradiation technique.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: Total body irradiation (TBI) remains a key component of conditioning for allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), with interstitial pneumonitis (IP) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) important late sequelae. We undertook a retrospective service evaluation of TBI patients treated with a forward-planned intensity modulated radiotherapy technique (FP IMRT). MATERIAL/METHODS: 74 adult patients were identified; all received step and shoot FP IMRT TBI, 14.4 Gy in 8 fractions over 4 days. Mean doses to the lungs and kidneys were 12-12.5 Gy. Toxicities were defined as per CTCAE v4.0: IP as multilobar infiltrates on CT with symptoms of dyspnoea, and renal dysfunction as an Estimated Glomerular Filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 for > 3 months. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse risk and of acute and chronic GvHD. RESULTS: Patients received treatment for the following diagnosis: ALL/LBL (n = 37); AML (n = 33), CML-BC (n = 2) and High grade NHL (n = 2). The rate of IP due to any cause was 30%; positive microbiological evidence in 73% (16 /22). Idiopathic IP was seen in 8%, with only 4% (n = 3) having IP Grade ≥ 3. Two (4%) of 52 long term survivors developed CKD, one with thrombotic microangiopathy. 4 year NRM was 16% (CI 11-32%); no treatment related deaths in matched sibling or umbilical cord blood HSCT. CONCLUSION: FP IMRT TBI, reducing dose to the lungs and kidneys, has lower rates of idiopathic IP and CKD compared to the literature. This technique is safe and effective conditioning for full intensity HSCT.