Same- vs Different-Hospital Readmissions in Patients With Cirrhosis After Hospital Discharge.

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of data on the impact of readmission to the same vs a different hospital following an index hospital discharge in cirrhosis patients. METHODS: We sought to describe rates and predictors of different-hospital readmissions (DHRs) among patients with cirrhosis and also determine the impact on cirrhosis outcomes including all-cause inpatient mortality and hospital costs. Using the national readmissions database, we identified cirrhosis hospitalizations in 2013. Regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of DHRs. A time-to-event analysis was performed to assess the impact on subsequent readmissions and all-cause inpatient mortality. RESULTS: In 2013, there were 109,039 cirrhosis readmissions with 67% of these being same-hospital readmissions and 33% being DHRs (P < 0.001). Two percent of readmitted patients were treated at ≥4 different hospitals. The 30-day readmission rate was 29.1%. Predictors of DHR included Medicaid payer (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.01-1.14), age (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.978-0.982), elective admission (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.17), hepatic encephalopathy (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.16-1.25), hepatorenal syndrome (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.16), and low socioeconomic status (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06-1.25). No difference was observed in 30-day readmission risk following a DHR (adjusted hazard ratio 1.044, 95% CI 0.975-1.118). In addition, there was no increased risk of inpatient death observed during a DHR within 30 days (adjusted hazard ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.94-1.23). However, patients with DHR had significantly higher hospital costs and length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of cirrhosis readmissions are same-hospital readmissions. Different-hospital readmissions do not increase the risk of 30-day readmissions and inpatient mortality but are associated with higher hospital costs.

Alogliptin: A new dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: The pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, safety, efficacy, and place in therapy of alogliptin and its combinations for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus are reviewed. SUMMARY: Alogliptin is a selective, orally bioavailable inhibitor of the enzymatic activity of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). It works by slowing the inactivation of the incretin hormones, thereby increasing their concentrations in the bloodstream and reducing fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations in a glucose-dependent manner in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Alogliptin has a moderate degree of absorption, estimated to exceed 75%, and its absorption is not affected by food. No drug interactions are known to be associated with alogliptin monotherapy. It is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The clinical efficacy and safety of alogliptin have been demonstrated in several clinical trials, reducing patients' glycosylated hemoglobin level by 0.4-1.0% in 26 weeks. Alogliptin does not require any dosage adjustment when coadministered with ketoconazole, fluconazole, gemfibrozil, warfarin, metformin, glyburide, and pioglitazone. Alogliptin selectively binds to and inhibits DPP-4 in vitro at concentrations approximating therapeutic exposures. The most common adverse events associated with alogliptin are nasopharyngitis, headache, and upper respiratory tract infection. As with the other DPP-4 inhibitors, use of alogliptin may be associated with the development of pancreatitis during therapy. CONCLUSION: Alogliptin, a selective DPP-4 inhibitor, does not differ greatly from the other DPP-4 inhibitors currently available. It can be used as monotherapy or in combination with metformin for the management of type 2 diabetes.