Trends In In-hospital Mortality Research Articles

Dengue hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality changes in trend in Ecuador: a nationwide study from 2015 to 2022

During recent years, dengue infection has spread rapidly within countries and between regions. Rapid rise in the global burden has been related to sociodemographic changes. Objective This study aimed to analyze dengue hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality trends in Ecuador, along with sociodemographic factors influencing adverse outcomes. Methods This study included 31,616 dengue hospitalizations in Ecuador during 2015–2022, of which 115 (0.36%) died. Data were extracted from national hospital registries. Age adjusted rates were calculated, and for the analysis of changes in trend, a Joinpoint regression was performed. Multivariate binary and multinomial logistic regressions were performed for assessing sociodemographic factors influencing dengue adverse outcomes. Results During 2015–2022, the mean age adjusted dengue hospitalization rate was 22.3 per 100,000 inhabitants with 49.41% annual decrease during 2015–2017 and 31.73% annual increase during 2017–2022 with higher rates in 2020 with 31.61, 2021 with 34.42, and 2022 with 25.81. The mean dengue in-hospital mortality rate was 0.08, mortality rates did not show significant changes during 2015–2022. Higher probability of death was observed in ages ≥50 years and ethnic minorities. People living in rural areas exhibited a 64% higher risk for complicated dengue hospitalization. Conclusions It was observed as an important accomplishment in Ecuador’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare regarding dengue. 0.36% of dengue hospitalizations ended in death which is below the recommended 1%. The increase in dengue hospitalizations in Ecuador during recent years remains a concern. The COVID-19 pandemic might have influenced dengue prevention and vector control to be neglected leading to an increase in cases.

Association of coagulation function with the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome

BackgroundTo evaluate the association of coagulation disorder score with the risk of in-hospital mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. MethodsIn this cohort study, 7,001 adult patients with ARDS were identified from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care Database-IV (MIMIC-IV). Univariate and multivariate Logistic stepwise regression models were used to explore the associations of coagulation-associated biomarkers with the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with ADRS. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was plotted to explore the association between coagulation disorder score and in-hospital mortality of ARDS patients. ResultsThe follow-up time for in-hospital death was 7.15 (4.62, 13.88) days. There were 1,187 patients died and 5,814 people survived in hospital. After adjusting for confounding factors, increased risk of in-hospital mortality in ARDS patients was observed in those with median coagulation disorder score [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.47) and high coagulation disorder score (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.06–1.80). The results of RCS indicated that when the coagulation disorder score >2, the trend of in-hospital mortality rose gradually, and OR was >1. ConclusionsPoor coagulation function was associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality in ARDS patients. The findings implied that clinicians should regularly detect the levels of coagulation-associated biomarkers for the management of ARDS patients.

Changing trends in clinical characteristics and in-hospital mortality of patients with infective endocarditis over four decades

BackgroundInfective endocarditis continues to be a significant concern and may be undergoing an epidemiological transition. MethodsWere studied 1804 consecutive episodes of infective endocarditis between 1978 and 2022. The mean age was 48 ( ± 19), and 1162 (64%) patients were male. Temporal trends in demographic data, comorbidities, predisposing conditions, microorganisms, complications and in-hospital death have been studied over the decades (1978–1988, 1989–1999, 2000–2010 and 2011–2022). The outcomes and clinical characteristics were modeled using nonlinear cubic spline functions. FindingsValve surgery was performed in 50% of the patients and overall in-hospital mortality was 30%. From the first to the fourth decade studied, the average age of patients increased from 29 to 57 years (p < 0.001), with significant declines in the occurrence of rheumatic valvular heart disease (15% to 6%; p < 0.001) and streptococcal infections (46% to 33%; p < 0.001). Healthcare-associated infections have increased (9% to 21%; p < 0.001), as have prosthetic valve endocarditis (26% to 53%; p < 0.001), coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections (4% to 11%; p < 0.001), and related-complications (heart failure, embolic events, and perivalvular abscess; p < 0.001). These changes were associated with a decline in adjusted in-hospital mortality from 34% to 25% (p = 0.019). InterpretationIn the 44 years studied, there was an increase in the mean age of patients, healthcare-related, prosthetic valve, coagulase-negative staphylococci/MRSA infections, and related complications. Notably, these epidemiological changes were associated with a decline in the adjusted in-hospital mortality.

Recent Changes in the Management of High-Grade Blunt Pancreatic Injury in Children: A Nationwide Trend Analysis.

The optimal management of pediatric patients with high-grade blunt pancreatic injury (BPI) involving the main pancreatic duct remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the nationwide trends in the management of pediatric high-grade BPI at pediatric (PTC), mixed (MTC), and adult trauma centers (ATC). This is a retrospective observational study of the National Trauma Data Bank. We included pediatric patients (age 16 years or less) sustaining high-grade BPI (Abbreviated Injury Scale 3 or more) from 2011 to 2021. Patients who did not undergo pancreatic operation were categorized into the nonoperative management (NOM) group. Trauma centers were defined as PTC (level I/II pediatric only), MTC (level I/II adult and pediatric), and ATC (level I/II adult only). Primary outcome was the proportion of patients undergoing NOM, and secondary outcomes included the use of ERCP and in-hospital mortality. A Cochran-Armitage test was used to analyze the trend. A total of 811 patients were analyzed. The median age was 9 years (interquartile range 6 to 13), 64% were male patients, and the median injury severity score was 17 (interquartile range 10 to 25). During the study period, there was a significant upward linear trend in the use of NOM and ERCP among the overall cohort (range 48% to 66%; p trend = 0.033, range 6.1% to 19%; p trend = 0.030, respectively). The significant upward trend for NOM was maintained in the subgroup of patients at PTC and MTC (p trend = 0.037), whereas no significant trend was observed at ATC (p trend = 0.61). There was no significant trend in in-hospital mortality (p trend = 0.38). For the management of pediatric patients with high-grade BPI, this study found a significant trend toward increasing use of NOM and ERCP without mortality deterioration, especially at PTC and MTC.

Ten-year national trends in in-hospital mortality and functional outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage by age in Japan: J-ASPECT study.

National-level data on trends in the prognosis of age-stratified patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are lacking. This study aimed to assess time trends in in-hospital mortality and functional outcomes of ICH patients by sex and age, and to explore factors associated with changes in in-hospital mortality trend. Using the largest nationwide, J-ASPECT stroke database in Japan, this serial cross-sectional study included ICH patients aged ⩾18 years who were hospitalized for non-traumatic ICH from April 2010 to March 2020. We examined trends in in-hospital mortality and functional outcomes using the modified Rankin Scale at discharge, as well as differences in in-hospital mortality change between age groups. Among 262,399 ICH patients from 934 hospitals, crude in-hospital mortality showed a significant decreasing time trend (from 19.5% to 16.7%), and this trend was consistent across sex and age groups. In addition, differences in in-hospital mortality change over the 10-year study period were significant between male patients aged ⩾75 years and those aged ⩽64 years (-3.9% [95% confidence interval, -5.4 to -2.4] for 75-84 years; -4.1% [-6.3 to -1.9] for ⩾85 years). On the other hand, the proportion of dependent patients (mRS 3-5) at discharge increased from 52.0% to 54.9% over the 10-year study period. The in-hospital mortality of ICH patients improved, whereas the proportion of patients with dependent functional outcome at discharge increased, over the 10-year study period. Elucidating the mechanism underlying differences in in-hospital mortality reduction in men may provide insights into effective interventions in the future.

Hospitalizations and Mortality From Myasthenia Gravis: Trends From 2 US National Datasets

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare neuromuscular disorder where IgG antibodies damage the communication between nerves and muscles, leading to muscle weakness that can be severe and have a significant impact on patients' lives. MG exacerbations include myasthenic crisis with respiratory failure, the most serious manifestation of MG. Recent studies have found MG prevalence increasing, especially in older patients. This study examined trends in hospital admissions and in-hospital mortality for adult patients with MG and readmissions and postdischarge mortality in older (65 years or older) adults with MG. Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), an all-payer national database of hospital discharges, were used to characterize trends in hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality related to MG exacerbations and MG crisis among adult patients aged 18 years or older. The Medicare Limited Data Set, a deidentified, longitudinal research database with demographic, enrollment, and claims data was used to assess hospitalizations, length of stay (LOS), readmissions, and 30-day postdischarge mortality among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older. The study period was 2010-2019. Multinomial logit models and Poisson regression were used to test for significance of trends. Hospitalization rates for 19,715 unique adult patients and 56,822 admissions increased from 2010 to 2019 at an average annualized rate of 4.9% (MG noncrisis: 4.4%; MG crisis: 6.8%; all p < 0.001). Readmission rates were approximately 20% in each study year for both crisis and noncrisis hospitalizations; the in-hospital mortality rate averaged 1.8%. Among patients aged 65 years or older, annualized increases in hospitalizations were estimated at 5.2%, 4.2%, and 7.7% for all, noncrisis, and crisis hospitalizations, respectively (all p < 0.001). The average LOS was stable over the study period, ranging from 11.3 to 13.1 days, but was consistently longer for MG crisis admissions. Mortality among patients aged 65 years or older was higher compared with that in all patients, averaging 5.0% across each of the study years. Increasing hospitalization rates suggest a growing burden associated with MG, especially among older adults. While readmission and mortality rates have remained stable, the increasing hospitalization rates indicate that the raw numbers of readmissions-and deaths-are also increasing. Mortality rates are considerably higher in older patients hospitalized with MG.

In-hospital mortality trends after surgery for traumatic thoracolumbar injury: A national inpatient sample database study

IntroductionGiven the increasing incidence of traumatic thoracolumbar injuries in recent years, studies have sought to investigate potential risk factors for outcomes in these patients. Research questionThe aim of this study was to investigate trends and risk factors for in-hospital mortality after fusion for traumatic thoracolumbar injury. Materials and methodsPatients undergoing thoracolumbar fusion after traumatic injury were queried from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2012 to 2017. Analysis was performed to identify risk factors for inpatient mortality after surgery. ResultsPatients in 2017 were on average older (51.0 vs. 48.5, P = 0.004), had more admitting diagnoses (15.5 vs. 10.7, p < 0.001), were less likely to be White (75.8% vs. 81.2%, p = 0.006), were from a ZIP code with a higher median income quartile (Quartile 1: 31.4% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.011), and were more likely to have Medicare as a primary payer (22.9% vs. 30.1%, p < 0.001). Bivariate analysis of demographics and surgical characteristics demonstrated that patients in the in-hospital mortality group (n = 90) were older (70.2 vs. 49.6, p < 0.001), more likely to be male (74.4% vs. 62.8%, p = 0.031), had a great number of admitted diagnoses (21.3 vs. 12.7, p < 0.001), and were more likely to be insured by Medicare (70.0% vs. 27.0%, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis found age (OR 1.06, p < 0.001) and Black race (OR 3.71, p = 0.007) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. ConclusionOur study of nationwide, traumatic thoracolumbar fusion procedures from 2012 to 2017 in the NIS database found older, black patients were at increased risk for in-hospital mortality after surgery.

Trends of Infective Endocarditis at Two Teaching Hospitals: A 12-Year Retrospective Cohort Study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, the incidence and mortality of infective endocarditis (IE) have increased in recent decades. Studies on the risk factors for mortality in endocarditis in Latin America are scarce. This retrospective cohort study included 240 patients diagnosed with IE according to the modified Duke criteria who were admitted to two university hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from January 2009 to June 2021. Poisson regression analysis was performed for trend tests. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of predictors of in-hospital mortality. The median age was 55 years (IQR: 39-66 years), 57% were male, and 41% had a Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score > 3. Healthcare-associated infective endocarditis (54%), left-sided native valve IE (77.5%), and staphylococcal IE (26%) predominated. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 45.8%, and mortality was significantly higher in the following patients: aged ≥ 60 years (53%), CCI score ≥ 3 (60%), healthcare-associated infective endocarditis (HAIE) (53%), left-sided IE (51%), and enterococcal IE (67%). Poisson regression analysis showed no trend in in-hospital mortality per year. The adjusted multivariate model determined that age ≥ 60 years was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality (HR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.2-3.1; p = 0.008). In this 12-year retrospective cohort, there was no evidence of an improvement in survival in patients with IE. Since older age is a risk factor for mortality, consensus is needed for the management of IE in this group of patients.

Letter: Trends in In-Hospital Mortality and Neurological Deficit Rates Following Ischemic Stroke in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Letter: Trends in In-Hospital Mortality and Neurological Deficit Rates Following Ischemic Stroke in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Abstract 12155: Trends in the Clinical Outcomes and Resource Utilization of Catheter-Based Thrombolytic Therapy vs. Systemic Thrombolytic Therapy in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Introduction: Contemporary trends in clinical outcomes and resource utilization in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) undergoing thrombolytic therapy are not well-known. Research Question: We wanted to analyze the trends in outcomes of catheter-based thrombolytic therapy (CDT) vs. systemic thrombolytic therapy (ST) in patients with PE. Aim: We aimed to compare the trends in in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and hospital costs in patients with PE who underwent CDT vs. ST. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample, all adult patients hospitalized with PE from 2012 to 2018 were identified using the International Classification of Disease diagnostic codes. Multivariate linear and logistic regression were used to obtain trends and effect sizes. Results: We identified 1.27 million patients with PE, of which 45,950 underwent thrombolytic therapy (CDT=30.1% and ST=69.9%). The mean age of patients receiving CDT vs. ST wasn't different (59.7 vs. 59.3, P=0.14). The proportion of CDT among all patients with PE increased from 0.4% in 2012 to 1.9% in 2018. Baseline characteristics of patients who underwent CDT vs. ST are shown in panel A. Risk-adjusted mortality was significantly lower in patients receiving CDT vs. ST (AOR=0.38, P=&lt;.01). Risk-adjusted LOS was 0.19 days non-significantly higher in patients with CDT vs. ST (P-value=0.12). The hospital cost was significantly higher in patients who underwent CDT vs. ST (β=2917 USD, P&lt;.01). Temporal trends of these outcomes are shown in panels B-D. Conclusions: It is encouraging to see an increasing trend in the utilization of CDT. In-hospital mortality decreased in patients with CDT and ST, but CDT continues to be superior. The LOS was not significantly different among these groups but significantly decreased in both groups over time. Finally, hospital cost was higher in patients with CDT vs ST, but these cost differences between CDT and ST narrowed due to decreasing cost of CDT and increasing cost of ST over time.

Abstract 16703: ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Total Occlusion: Trends and In-Hospital Outcomes in the United States

Introduction: Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) occurs due to sudden thrombotic complete occlusion of one or more coronary arteries resulting in transmural ischemia and eventually necrosis. Chronic total occlusions (CTO) are incidentally found in a minority of patients and have been implicated in poor outcomes in STEMI patients. There is a paucity of data analyzing the trends and outcomes of STEMI patients with a CTO (STEMI-CTO). Methods: We used the National Inpatient Sample to identify elderly (&gt;65 years) STEMI patients with vs. without CTO. We compared the prevalence trends of STEMI, baseline characteristics, in-hospital mortality, and complications, including cardiogenic shock, in these two groups from 2016 to 2019. Chi-square test was used to determine the statistical significance of these variables. Results: Of 317,105 STEMI hospitalizations, 21,115 had concomitant CTO. Patients with CTO were more likely to be young (median age 73 vs. 74, p &lt;0.001), obese (13.8% vs. 12.8%), males (67.5% vs. 60.5%), with peripheral vascular disease (13.4% vs. 10.8%), hyperlipidemia (67.5% vs. 65.5%), and prior history of MI (15.2% vs. 12.3%), PCI (14.1% vs. 13.0%) and CABG (9.4% vs. 6.1%) (p&lt;0.001). In-hospital mortality was more frequent in CTO-STEMI compared to non-CTO-STEMI patients (12.5% vs. 11.8%, p=0.003). From 2016-2019, the prevalence of CTO kept decreasing (10.7% vs. 6.5%, P&lt;0.001); however, increasing mortality trends in CTO patients (14.4% vs. 12.2%) compared to decreasing mortality trends in non-CTO patients (11.2% vs. 12.5%) was concerning. [Fig. 1]. Also, the frequency of in-hospital deaths was on a uptrend and peaked in 2019 amongst all CTO patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of CTO in STEMI patients is decreasing, while in-hospital mortality, cardiogenic shock and hospital expenses continue to rise. Future prospective studies are necessary to understand the trends among CTO-STEMI patients to avoid poor outcomes.

Trends and characteristics of severe road traffic injuries in children: a nationwide cohort study in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate temporal trends of characteristics of severe road traffic injuries in children and identify factors associated with mortality using a nationwide database in Japan. We performed a retrospective analysis of Japan Trauma Data Bank (JTDB) from 2004 to 2018. We included patients with traffic injuries under the age of 18 who were hospitalized. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We evaluated trends in characteristics and assessed factors associated with in-hospital mortality using a logistic regression analysis. A total of 4706 patients were analyzed. The most common mechanism of injury was bicycle crash (34.4%), followed by pedestrian (28.3%), and motorcycle crash (21.3%). The overall in-hospital mortality was 11.2%. We found decreasing trends in motorcycle crash and in-hospital mortality and increasing trends in rear passenger seats in cars over the 15-year period. The following factors were associated with in-hospital mortality: car crash (aOR 1.69, 95%CI 1.18-2.40), pedestrian (aOR 1.50, 95%CI 1.13-1.99), motorcycle crash (aOR 1.42, 95%CI 1.03-1.95) [bicycle crash as a reference]; concomitant injuries to head/neck (aOR 5.06, 95%CI 3.81-6.79), thorax (aOR 2.34, 95%CI 1.92-2.87), abdomen (aOR 1.74, 95%CI 1.29-2.33), pelvis/lower-extremity (aOR 1.57, 95%CI 1.23-2.00), spine (aOR 3.01, 95%CI 2.02-4.43); and 5-year increase in time period (aOR 0.80, 95%CI 0.70-0.91). We found decreasing trends in motorcycle crash and in-hospital mortality, increasing trends in rear passenger seats in cars over the 15-year period, and factors associated with in-hospital mortality such as type of mechanisms and concomitant injuries. Strengthening child road safety measures, particularly for rear passenger seats in vehicles, is imperative to enhance our dedication to injury prevention.

Ischemic Stroke and Acute Myocardial Infarction: Trends in in-Hospital Mortality in Brazil from 1998 to 2018

Ischemic Stroke and Acute Myocardial Infarction: Trends in in-Hospital Mortality in Brazil from 1998 to 2018

Incidence, demographics and outcomes of patients with penetrating injury: a Japanese nationwide 10-year retrospective study

BackgroundUnintentional injury remains the leading cause of death among Japanese people younger than 35 years; however, data are limited on the evaluation of characteristics, long-term mortality trend and mortality risk...

Treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia between 2010 and 2020 – a German nation-wide study

BackgroundAim of this study was to analyze long-term trends of hospitalizations, treatment regimen and in-hospital mortality of in-patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) over the past decade and effects of the SARS-CoV2-pandemic.MethodsWe analyzed fully anonymized data from the German Federal Statistical Office of patients with AMI between 2010 and 2020. Besides descriptive analyses of age, gender, in-hospital mortality, comorbidity burden and treatment regimen, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent variables associated with in-hospital mortality and different treatment.ResultsA total of 278,121 hospitalizations (120,667 male [43.4%], mean age 72.1 years) with AMI were included in this study. The total number of hospitalizations increased from 2010 (n = 24,172) to 2019 (n = 26,684) (relative increase 10.4%). In-hospital mortality decreased over the past decade from 36.6% to 2010 to 31.1% in 2019 (rel. decrease 15.2%). Independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality were older age (OR = 1.03 per year), higher comorbidity burden (OR = 1.06 per point in van Walraven score [vWs]), male gender (OR = 1.07), AMI as a secondary diagnosis (OR = 1.44), and the need for surgical (visceral surgery: OR = 1.38, vascular surgery: OR = 3.33) and endovascular treatment (OR = 1.21). We report a decline in hospitalizations during the first wave of infection in spring 2020 (rel. decrease 9.7%).ConclusionIn-hospital mortality rate has declined over the past decade, but remains high at above 30%. Older age, increased comorbidity and male gender are independent factors for in-hospital mortality. Hospitalizations requiring vascular surgery are associated with high in-hospital mortality, followed by visceral surgery and endovascular approaches. The first wave of the SARS-CoV2-pandemic in spring 2020 implied a decrease in hospital admissions.

Septic Shock Short-Term Outcomes in Patients With Psychiatric Disorders: Analysis From the National Inpatient Sample Database.

Major psychiatric disorders are associated with lower life expectancy primarily due to comorbid illnesses and suboptimal access to health care. Large-scale contemporary data in the United States on in-hospital mortality of patients with major psychiatric disorder and sepsis are lacking. To describe the short-term outcomes of hospitalized patients with major psychiatric disorders and septic shock. We performed a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample database from 2016 to 2019 to identify septic shock hospitalizations in patients with versus without major psychiatric disorder (defined as schizophrenia and affective disorders). Baseline variables and in-hospital mortality trends were compared between the 2 groups. Out of 1,653,255 hospitalizations with septic shock identified between 2016 and 2019, 16.2% had a diagnosis of major psychiatric disorder as defined above. After adjusting for various patient-level and hospital-level demographics and coexisting clinical conditions in a multivariable logistic regression, the odds of in-hospital mortality in patients with any major psychiatric disorder were 0.71 times that of those without a diagnosis of psychiatric illness (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.73; P < 0.001). Similarly, when the disorders were divided into 2 categories for subanalysis, those with schizophrenia had 38% lower odds of dying compared to those without schizophrenia (adjusted odds ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.58-0.66; P < 0.001). Those with affective disorders had 25% lower odds of in-hospital mortality than those without a diagnosis of an affective disorder (adjusted odds ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.73-0.77; P < 0.001). The adjusted mean length of stay for those diagnosed with major psychiatric disorder was 0.38 days longer than those without significant psychiatric illness (95% CI, 0.28-0.49; P < 0.001). On the other hand, the mean hospitalization charges were $10,516 less for patients with a major psychiatric disorder compared to those without (95% CI, -$11,830 to -$9,201; P < 0.001). Hospitalized patients with major psychiatric disorder and septic shock had lower risk of short-term mortality. Further studies are needed to examine the reasons behind this lower in-hospital mortality risk.

Trends in Economic Burden and Mortality of Hospitalized Patients With Aortic Stenosis in Thailand

This study aimed to assess the temporal trends in aortic stenosis (AS)-related hospitalizations, in-hospital mortality, and economic burden in Thailand. The study cohort was derived from the electronic claim system of the National Health Security Office, which serves as a reimbursement database for all Thai beneficiaries under the Universal Health Coverage Scheme, covering ∼70% of the entire population. Hospitalization, mortality, and costs were estimated by year, with the primary diagnosis for AS-related hospitalizations identified using code I350. The Cochrane Armitage test was used to examine trends in AS-related hospitalization and in-hospital mortality, whereas a nonparametric trend test was used to analyze the trend of hospitalization costs. Of the 8-year period, 10,406 adults were admitted with a primary diagnosis of AS. AS-related hospitalizations increased from 1,274 in 2015 to 1,945 in 2022 (p = 0.251), with the most significant observed in the age group 60 to 79 years (p <0.001). In-hospital mortality increased from 4.8% to 6.1%. Hospitalization cost significantly increased from $2,879 to $3,443 (p <0.001), with an average length of stay of 6.6 ± 9.2 days. The trend of patients admitted with primary diagnosis of AS in Thailand has significantly increased in the age group 60 to 79 years. In-hospital admission is found at older age and is likely to have high mortality rate. The increased hospitalization cost may impose a substantial economic burden on the Thai health care system.

The effect of Iran's health sector evolution plan on hospitals performance indicators: an interrupted time series analysis.

The Health Sector Evolution Plan (HSEP) was set up in Iran's health system to respond to some of the main problems in hospitals and other health sectors. We aimed to compare the effect of the HSEP on teaching hospital performance before and after the implementation of the HSEP through the interrupted time series (ITS) analysis. With a cross-sectional design, data collection was performed in 17 teaching hospitals affiliated with the Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS). We used the existing data on three indicators of hospitalization rate (per 10,000 population), Emergency Department Visits (EDVs) (per 10,000 population), and in-hospital mortality (per 10,000 population). The monthly data from 2009 to 2019 was analyzed by the ITS method 60 months before and 61 months after the HSEP. We found a non-statistically significant decrease in the monthly trend of hospitalization rate relative to the period before the HSEP implementation (-0.084 per 10,000 population [95%CI: -0.269, 0.101](. There was a statistically significant increase in the monthly trend of EDVs rate compared to before the HSEP implementation (1.07 per 10,000 population [95%CI: 0.14, 2.01]). Also, a significant decrease in the monthly trend of in-hospital mortality compared to before the HSEP implementation [-0.003 per 10,000 population (95%CI: -0.006, -0.001)] was observed. Our study demonstrated a significant increasing and decreasing trend for EDVs and in-hospital mortality following the HSEP implementation, respectively. Regarding the increase in hospitalization rate and EDVs after the implementation of HESP, it seems that there is a need to increase investment in healthcare and improve healthcare infrastructure, human resources-related indicators, and the quality of healthcare.

Functional Status Changes in Patients Receiving Palliative Care Consult During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Hospitalized patients with functional impairment have higher symptom burden and mortality. Little is known about how increased patient volume and acuity during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected access to palliative care among patients with functional impairment. To examine changes in functional status and hospital outcomes among patients receiving inpatient palliative care consultation before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a retrospective, multisite cohort study of all adult patients (≥ 18 years) admitted to four hospitals in New York City, USA, who received inpatient palliative care consultation between March 1, 2019 and February 28, 2022 with documented functional status at the time of consultation measured by Karnofsky Performance Status scale. Among 13,180 eligible patients identified, patients' functional status at the time of consultation decreased as palliative care consult volume increased with the onset of the pandemic. Compared to pre-pandemic, there was a statistically significant trend of lower functional status (P < 0.001) and higher in-hospital mortality (P < 0.001) among patients with noncancer and non-COVID-19 diagnoses two years after the pandemic. In contrast, patients with cancer had a statistically significant trend of higher functional status (P < 0.001) and no significant changes in in-hospital mortality over time. As the healthcare system was stressed with high demand and limited resources, palliative care consultation prioritized highest acuity patients by shifting towards those with lower functional status and higher in-hospital mortality. This shift disproportionately affected noncancer patients. Innovative approaches to ensure upstream palliative care consultation during increased resource constraints are needed.

Epidemiology, characteristics, and outcomes of adult haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in the USA, 2006–19: a national, retrospective cohort study

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening syndrome characterized by an excessive inflammatory response. Limited data exist on adult HLH. In this national, retrospective cohort study, we analysed data from the US National Inpatient Sample database collected between October 1, 2006 and December 31, 2019. Using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes, we identified all adult patients who were admitted non-electively with the diagnosis of HLH. We described demographic characteristics, triggers, and associated conditions. Trends of diagnosis, treatment, and in-hospital mortality were analysed using joinpoint models. In-hospital mortality rates were compared using multivariable logistic regression models that adjusted for demographic characteristics and associated conditions. Finally, we described resource utilization outcomes including cost of hospitalization and length of stay. We identified 16,136 non-elective adult HLH admissions. The population pyramid showed a bimodal distribution, with peaks in young adults (16-30 years) and older adults (56-70 years). Joinpoint regression analysis revealed a significant increase in HLH incidence per 100,000 admissions over the study period (Average Annual Percent Change [APC]=25.3%, p<0.0001), and no significant change in rates of in-hospital mortality (slope=-0.01; p=0.95) or administration of in-hospital HLH treatment (slope=0.46, p=0.20). The most common associated conditions were malignancy (4953 admissions [30.7%]), infections (3913 admissions [24.3%]), autoimmune conditions (3362 admissions [20.8%]), organ transplant status (639 admissions [4%]), and congenital immunodeficiency syndromes (399 admissions [2.5%]). In-hospital mortality was higher in older adults and males. Furthermore, Congenital immunodeficiency syndromes had the worst in-hospital mortality rate (mortality rate 31.1%, adjusted OR 2.36 [1.56-3.59]), followed by malignancies (mortality rate 28.4%, adjusted OR 1.80 [1.46-2.22]), infections (mortality rate 21.4%, adjusted OR 1.33 [1.10-1.62]), other/no trigger (mortality rate 13.6%, adjusted OR 0.73 [0.58-0.92]), autoimmune (mortality rate 13%, adjusted OR 0.72 [0.57-0.92]), and post-organ transplant status (mortality rate 14.1%, adjusted OR 0.64 [0.43-0.97]). The overall mean length of stay was 14.3±13.9 days, and the mean cost of hospitalization was $54,900±59,800. We provide insight into the burden of adult HLH in the USA. The incidence has been increasing and the outcomes remain dismal. This signifies the growing need for the development of updated diagnosis and treatment protocols that are specific to adult HLH. None.