1552. Clinical Outcomes and Healthcare Costs of Inpatients with Tetanus in Korea in 2011–2019

Abstract

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the recent trend of clinical outcomes and medical costs of inpatients with tetanus, which is a rare, vaccine-preventable but extremely grave disease, in Korea, in 2011–2019 for the first time.MethodsFrom January 2011 to October 2019, this study examined 49 patients with tetanus admitted in 2 national university hospitals in Gwangju and Daegu of South Korea. Patients’ medical records were retrospectively reviewed to determine the clinical factors and medical cost for tetanus management.ResultsThe mean age was 65.3 ± 16.1 years and 32 (65.3%) of them were female. All patients (100.0%) had generalized tetanus, and 5 (10.2%) died during admission. The median duration from symptom onset to hospital visit was 4 days. Trismus (85.7%) was the most common symptom, and wound of the lower extremities (24.5%) was the most frequent presumed entry site of toxin. Only 6 (15.0%) patients were operated for wound management. The median hospital stay was 39 (9; 49) days. Furthermore, 32 (65.3%) needed mechanical ventilation, and 20 (40.8%) patients developed aspiration pneumonia. The median total healthcare cost was 21,072 KRW(Korean Republic Won) (17,560 USD(United States Dollar); 1 USD = 1200 KRW) per person. After discharge, 35 (79.5%) patients fully recovered without any disability.ConclusionTetanus remains a grave disease that requires long duration of admission and huge medical cost in Korea. The completion rate of 3-time tetanus toxoid (Td) or tetanus toxoid, acellular pertussis and diphtheria vaccine (Tdap) vaccination was low; thus, the medical staff needs to establish more medical advice or policies to the general population of KoreaDisclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures