Readmission rates and outcomes in adults with and without COVID-19 following inpatient chemotherapy admission:A nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has received considerable attention in the scientific community due to its impact on healthcare systems and various diseases.However,little focus has been given to its effect on cancer treatment.AIM To determine the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients’care.METHODS A retrospective review of a Nationwide Readmission Database(NRD)was conducted to analyze hospitalization patterns of patients receiving inpatient chemotherapy(IPCT)during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.Two cohorts were defined based on readmission within 30 d and 90 d.Demographic information,readmission rates,hospital-specific variables,length of hospital stay(LOS),and treatment costs were analyzed.Comorbidities were assessed using the Elixhauser comorbidity index.Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of readmission.Statistical analysis was conducted using Stata■Version 16 software.As the NRD data is anonymous and cannot be used to identify patients,institutional review board approval was not required for this study.RESULTS A total of 87755 hospitalizations for IPCT were identified during the pandemic.Among the 30-day index admission cohort,55005 patients were included,with 32903 readmissions observed,resulting in a readmission rate of 59.8%.For the 90-day index admission cohort,33142 patients were included,with 24503 readmissions observed,leading to a readmission rate of 73.93%.The most common causes of readmission included encounters with chemotherapy(66.7%),neutropenia(4.36%),and sepsis(3.3%).Comorbidities were significantly higher among readmitted hospitalizations compared to index hospitalizations in both readmission cohorts.The total cost of readmission for both cohorts amounted to 1193000000.00 dollars.Major predictors of 30-day readmission included peripheral vascular disorders[Hazard ratio(HR)=1.09,P<0.05],paralysis(HR=1.26,P<0.001),and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome(HR=1.14,P=0.03).Predictors of 90-day readmission included lymphoma(HR=1.14,P<0.01),paralysis(HR=1.21,P=0.02),and peripheral vascular disorders(HR=1.15,P<0.01).CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the management of patients undergoing IPCT.These findings highlight the urgent need for a more strategic approach to the care of patients receiving IPCT during pandemics.

Systemic adverse effects and toxicities associated with immunotherapy:A review

Immunotherapy is rapidly evolving secondary to the advent of newer immunotherapeutic agents and increasing approval of the current agents by the United States Food and Drug Administration to treat a wide spectrum of cancers.Immunotherapeutic agents have gained immense popularity due to their tumorspecific action.Immunotherapy is slowly transforming into a separate therapeutic entity,and the fifth pillar of management for cancers alongside surgery,radiotherapy,chemotherapy,and targeted therapy.However,like any therapeutic entity it has its own adverse effects.With the increasing use of immunotherapeutic agents,it is vital for physicians to acquaint themselves with these adverse effects.The aim of this review is to investigate the common systemic adverse effects and toxicities associated with the use of different classes of immunotherapeutic agents.We provide an overview of potential adverse effects and toxicities associated with different classes of immunotherapeutic agents organized by organ systems,as well as an extensive discussion of the current recommendations for treatment and clinical trial data.As we continue to see increasing usage of these agents in clinical practice,it is vital for physicians to familiarize themselves with these effects.

Trends of alcoholic liver cirrhosis readmissions from 2010 to 2018:Rates and healthcare burden associated with readmissions

BACKGROUND Alcoholic liver cirrhosis(ALC)is a chronic liver disease with varying disease severity.Readmissions of ALC are associated with poor outcomes.AIM To identify and assess trends of readmissions for ALC over an eight-year period.METHODS This retrospective interrupted trend study analysed 30-d readmissions of ALC in the United States from 2010 to 2018 using the National Readmissions Database.Hospitalization for ALC was the reason for index admission obtained using the International Classification of Diseases codes(571.2 and K70.3X).Biodemographic characteristics and hospitalization trends were highlighted over time.A multivariate regression analysis model was used to calculate the trend for riskadjusted odds of 30-d all-cause ALC readmissions,ALC specific readmission rate,ALC readmission proportion,inpatient mortality,mean length of stay(LOS)and mean total hospital cost(THC)following adjustments for age,gender,grouped Charlson Comorbidity Index,insurance,mean household income,and hospital characteristics.RESULTS There was a trend towards increasing total 30-d readmissions of ALC from 7660 in 2010 to 15085 in 2018(P<0.001).Patients readmitted for ALC were noted to have an increasing comorbidity burden over time.We noted a rise in the risk-adjusted 30-d all-cause readmission of ALC from 24.9%in 2010 to 29.9%in 2018(P<0.001).ALC-specific readmission rate increased from 6.3%in 2010 to 8.4%in 2018(P<0.001)while ALC readmission proportion increased from 31.4%in 2010 to 36.3%in 2018(P<0.001).Inpatient mortality for 30-d readmissions of ALC declined from 10.5%in 2010 to 8.2%in 2018(P=0.0079).However,there was a trend towards increasing LOS from 5.6 d in 2010 to 6.3 d in 2018(P<0.001)and increasing THC from 13790 dollars in 2010 to 17150 dollars in 2018(P<0.001).The total days of hospital stay attributable to 30-d readmissions of ALC increased by 119.2%while the total attributable hospital costs increased by 149%by the end of 2018.CONCLUSION There was an increase in the 30-d readmission rate and comorbidity burden for ALC;however,inpatient mortality declined.Additionally,there was a trend towards increasing LOS and THC for these readmissions.

Increasing thirty-day readmissions of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in the United States:A national dilemma

BACKGROUND The prevalence of Crohn’s disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC)is on the rise worldwide.This rising prevalence is concerning as patients with CD and UC may frequently relapse leading to recurrent hospitalizations and increased healthcare utilization.AIM To identify trends and adverse outcomes for 30 d readmissions for CD and UC.METHODS This was a retrospective,interrupted trends study involving all adult(≥18 years)30 d readmissions of CD and UC from the National Readmission Database(NRD)between 2008 and 2018.Patients<18 years,elective,and traumatic hospitalizations were excluded from this study.We identified hospitalization characteristics and readmission rates for each calendar year.Trends of inpatient mortality,mean length of hospital stay(LOS)and mean total hospital cost(THC)were calculated using a multivariate logistic trend analysis adjusting for age,gender,insurance status,comorbidity burden and hospital factors.Furthermore,trends between CD and UC readmissions were compared using regression of the interaction coefficient after adjusting for age and gender to determine relative trends between the two populations.Stata®Version 16 software(StataCorp,TX,United States)was used for statistical analysis and P value≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS Total number of 30 d readmissions increased from 6202 in 2010 to 7672 in 2018 for CD and from 3272 in 2010 to 4234 in 2018 for UC.We noted increasing trends for 30-day all-cause readmission rate of CD from 14.9%in 2010 to 17.6%in 2018(P-trend<0.001),CD specific readmission rate from 7.1%in 2010 to 8.2%in 2018(P-trend<0.001),30-day all-cause readmission rate of UC from 14.1%in 2010 to 15.7%in 2018(P-trend=0.003),and UC specific readmission rate from 5.2%in 2010 to 5.6%in 2018(P-trend=0.029).There was no change in the risk adjusted trends of inpatient mortality and mean LOS for CD and UC readmissions.However,we found an increasing trend of mean THC for UC readmissions.After comparison,there was no statistical difference in the trends for 30 d all-cause readmission rate,inpatient mortality,and mean LOS between CD and UC readmissions.CONCLUSION There was an increase in total number of 30 d readmissions for CD and UC with a trend towards increasing 30 d all-cause readmission rates.