Increasing Volume but Decreasing Mortality of Hospitalized Hepatitis C Patients in the United States, 2005 to 2011. Issue 7 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luo, Ruihong; Greenberg, Alan; Stone, Christian D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical gastroenterology. Volume 49:Issue 7(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases; Gastroenterology; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000216
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0192-0790

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background:</title> <p>Patients with hepatitis C virus infection often require hospitalization for progressive liver disease and complications, incurring high cost and risk of death.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Goals:</title> <p>The aim of our study was to investigate recent trends in the economic burden and outcomes of patients hospitalized for hepatitis C in the United States.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Study:</title> <p>Patients with hepatitis C-associated hospitalization were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2005 to 2011. We analyzed the in-hospital mortality, hospital service utilization, demographic, and clinical features of patients. A prognostic model to predict in-hospital survival and death with independent risk factors for mortality was developed.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>A total of 607, 279 cases of hepatitis C-associated hospitalization were identified. Over 7 years, the annual hospitalized volume increased by 28.8%. In-hospital mortality declined from 8.2% to 6.4%. Median length of stay (4 d) was unchanged but the inflation-adjusted hospital charges increased by 33.3%. Acute respiratory failure was the greatest independent risk factor for mortality [odds ratio (OR)=7.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 7.0-7.5], followed by septicemia (OR=4.1; 95% CI, 4.0-4.3), renal failure (OR=3.4; 95% CI, 3.3-3.5), and acute liver failure (OR=2.9; 95% CI, 2.7-3.0). On the basis of the major risk factors for mortality, a risk-adjusted model was developed that could predict the in-hospital outcome of hepatitis C patients with an accurate rate of 89.2%.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>Despite decreasing in-hospital mortality, both hospital volume and charges related to hepatitis C increased from 2005 to 2011. Use of a risk-adjusted model could help predict mortality and improve outcomes of hepatitis C inpatients.</p> </sec> </abstract>