Abstract P399: Do Not Resuscitate Orders in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients. Impact on Mortality

Abstract

Introduction/background: Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders have been associated with higher mortality in hospitalized patients which the question if they these patients are victims of the self-fulfilling prophecy; that the odds of their survival is made worse by withholding aggressive treatment. In addition, previous reports show that racial and ethnic minorities tend to opt for more aggressive and lifesaving procedures as compared to Whites. Methods: We analyzed the data from Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2005-2014) for all subarachnoid hemorrhage (ICH) patients. DNR code status was identified using the International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Baseline characteristics, discharge outcomes (mortality, length of stay) were compared between the two groups. DNR code status was compared between different racial groups. Results: Of the 325923 patients with SAH, 20127 (6.17%%) had DNR order. SAH patients with DNR order had higher proportion of females (61.7% versus 59.4%, P=0.0048) and were older (70.9 years versus 58.4 years, P <.0001) compared to SAH patients without DNR. The in-hospital mortality was also higher (66.4% versus 22.4%, p≤.0001) among patients with DNR both univariate and multivariate analysis (OR = 5.05 (4.58 -5.56), p<.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders. Whites have a higher rate (7.59% versus 5.84%, P <.0001) of DNR order as compared to other racial/ethnic groups Conclusions: While there may be other explanations at play, the higher mortality and shorter LOS suggest that early DNR orders do lead to the self-fulfilling prophecy. The lower proportion of DNR orders among minorities suggest a sociocultural aspect in accepting the concept of DNR. These two facts raise concerns about what the real vs perceived meaning of DNR orders.