Risk Factors with 30-Day Readmission and the Impact of Length of Hospital Stay on It in Patients with Heart Failure: A Retrospective Observational Study Using a Japanese National Database

Heart failure is a major disease, and its 30-day readmission (readmission within 30-day after discharge) negatively impacts patients and society. Thus, we need to stratify the risk and prevent readmission. We aimed to investigate risk factors associated with 30-day readmission and examine the impact of length of hospital stay (LOS) on 30-day readmission. Using the Diagnosis-Procedure-Combination database from April 2018 to March 2021, we conducted multiple logistic regression to investigate risk factors with 30-day readmission. Also, we conducted subgroup analysis in the short LOS group. To examine the association between LOS and 30-day readmission, we performed propensity score matching between the short and middle LOS groups. As a result, we categorized 10,283 patients and 169,842 patients into the readmission group and the no-readmission group. We identified the following factors as the risk of readmission: short LOS, female, smoking, older age, lower body mass index, lower barthel index, artificial ventilator, beta-blockers, thiazides, tolvaptan, loop diuretics, carperitides, class Ⅲ antiarrhythmic agents, myocardial infarction, diabetes, renal disease, atrial fibrillation, dilated cardiomyopathy, and discharge to home. As a subgroup analysis in the short LOS group, we revealed that the short LOS group risk factors differed from overall. After propensity score matching in the short LOS group and middle LOS group, 37,199 pairs were matched, and we revealed that shorter LOS increases the risk of readmission. These results demonstrated that shortened LOS increases 30-day readmission, and risk factors are unique to each LOS. We suggest stratifying the readmission risk and being careful with early discharge.

Risk Factors Associated With Peripartum Suicide Attempts in Japan

IMPORTANCE

Peripartum suicide attempt is a major psychiatric complication associated with pregnancy, but the risk factors remain largely uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the demographic characteristics and predisposing risks for peripartum suicide attempts and postpartum depression.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study used retrospective data on pregnant women who delivered children between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2021, at 712 hospitals in Japan. The nationwide Diagnosis Procedure Combination database was used.

EXPOSURES

Psychiatric and nonpsychiatric medical history, age, alcohol and tobacco use, and obstetric complications and procedures.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Data on admissions for prepartum suicide attempt and delivery during the same hospital stay and readmissions for depression or suicide attempt within 1 year post partum were collected. Comparisons of prevalence of each study variable were performed, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors.

RESULTS

From a total of 39 908 649 hospitalization episodes, 804 617 cumulative pregnant women (median [IQR] age at childbirth, 33 [29-36] years) who delivered at the enrolled hospitals were identified, including 1202 who were admitted for suicide attempt and delivery during the same hospital stay and 111 readmitted for suicide attempt within 1 year post partum. Risk factors associated with prepartum suicide attempts included younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-1.00) and histories of personality disorder (aOR, 10.81; 95% CI, 5.70-20.49), depression (aOR, 3.97; 95% CI, 2.35-6.70), schizophrenia (aOR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.52-5.50), and adjustment disorder (aOR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.07-6.58). Risk factors associated with postpartum suicide attempts included younger age (aOR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-1.00), heavy tobacco use (aOR, 23.09; 95% CI, 5.46-97.62), and histories of alcohol use disorder (aOR, 163.54; 95% CI, 28.30-944.95), personality disorder (aOR, 10.28; 95% CI, 3.29-32.10), anxiety disorders (aOR, 8.13; 95% CI, 2.88-22.98), depression (aOR, 7.27; 95% CI, 2.95-17.91), schizophrenia (aOR, 5.77; 95% CI, 2.17-15.38), bipolar disorder (aOR, 3.98; 95% CI, 1.36-11.67), and insomnia (aOR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.30-7.78). On sensitivity analysis, risk factors associated with postpartum depression after excluding those with prenatal depression included histories of personality disorder, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, insomnia, and anxiety disorders.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The findings of this cohort study suggest that histories of smoking and prenatal psychiatric disorders are potential risk factors for peripartum suicide attempts and may require additional treatment and prevention interventions.

Hip and vertebral fracture risk after initiating antidiabetic drugs in Japanese elderly: a nationwide study

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to clarify the risks of initiating antidiabetic drugs for fractures using a nationwide health insurance claims database (NDBJ).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients aged ≥ 65 years initiating antidiabetic drugs at the outpatient department were enrolled after a 180-day period without prescribed antidiabetic drugs and followed with during 2012-2018 using NDBJ. The adjusted hazard risks (HRs) of each antidiabetic drug (thiazolidine, alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 [DPP-4] inhibitor, sulfonylurea, glinide, and insulin) for fractures compared with biguanide were obtained adjusting for age, gender, polypharmacy, dementia, and the other antidiabetic drugs.

RESULTS

The DPP-4 inhibitor was the most often prescribed antidiabetic drug followed by biguanide with prescribed proportions of 71.7% and 12.9%. A total of 4,304 hip fractures and 9,388 vertebral fractures were identified among the 966,700 outpatient participants. Compared with biguanide, insulin, alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, and DPP-4 inhibitor were related to increased hip fracture risks. Vertebral fracture risk was higher in outpatients prescribed with insulin, thiazolidine, and DPP-4 inhibitor compared with biguanide. Patients prescribed insulin for hip and vertebral fractures' adjusted HRs were 2.17 (95% CI 1.77-2.66) and 1.45 (95% CI 1.24-1.70), respectively. Those prescribed DPP-4 inhibitor for hip and vertebral fractures' adjusted HRs were 1.27 (95% CI 1.15-1.40) and 1.20 (95% CI 1.12-1.28), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Initiating insulin increased the risk of not only hip fractures but also vertebral fractures. Patients initiating antidiabetic drugs had increased risks of hip and vertebral fractures compared with those initiating biguanide independently for age, gender, polypharmacy, and dementia in the Japanese elderly.

Real-world effectiveness of anti-osteoporosis medications for the prevention of incident hip and clinical vertebral fractures in patients on long-term glucocorticoid therapy: A nationwide health insurance claims database study in Japan

PURPOSE

Early initiation of anti-osteoporosis medications (AOMs) is recommended for patients on long-term glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. This study aimed to clarify the real-world effectiveness of AOMs against incident hip and vertebral fractures in patients undergoing GC therapy using the nationwide health insurance claims database of Japan (NDBJ).

METHODS

Patients aged ≥50 years who were prescribed GC (≥5 mg/day prednisolone or equivalent) for ≥90 days and who were followed up regarding AOM prescription and hip and clinical vertebral fracture incidences for the subsequent 1080 days between 2012 and 2018 were selected from NDBJ. Associations of AOMs prescribed within 90 days since GC therapy initiation with hip or vertebral fracture risk were evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression using propensity score inverse probability weighting (IPW) for receiving any AOM or individual AOMs.

RESULTS

In total, 96,475 women and 98,385 men were included in the analysis; 38.0 % of women and 27.6 % of men received AOMs. Patients who received any AOM and those who received bisphosphonates or denosumab had a significantly lower risk of hip and clinical vertebral fractures than those who received no AOM in both sexes after propensity score IPW. Teriparatide was associated with an increased risk of both fractures in women and an increased risk of clinical vertebral fractures in men. Selection biases such as confounding by indication might have caused an underestimation of AOMs' protective effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Bisphosphonates and denosumab were associated with a lower fracture incidence in patients on long-term GC therapy in real-world settings.

Validation study on definition of cause of death in Japanese claims data

Identifying the cause of death is important for the study of end-of-life patients using claims data in Japan. However, the validity of how cause of death is identified using claims data remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the validity of the method used to identify the cause of death based on Japanese claims data. Our study population included patients who died at two institutions between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019. Claims data consisted of medical data and Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) data, and five definitions developed from disease classification in each dataset were compared with death certificates. Nine causes of death, including cancer, were included in the study. The definition with the highest positive predictive values (PPVs) and sensitivities in this study was the combination of "main disease" in both medical and DPC data. For cancer, these definitions had PPVs and sensitivities of > 90%. For heart disease, these definitions had PPVs of > 50% and sensitivities of > 70%. For cerebrovascular disease, these definitions had PPVs of > 80% and sensitivities of> 70%. For other causes of death, PPVs and sensitivities were < 50% for most definitions. Based on these results, we recommend definitions with a combination of "main disease" in both medical and DPC data for cancer and cerebrovascular disease. However, a clear argument cannot be made for other causes of death because of the small sample size. Therefore, the results of this study can be used with confidence for cancer and cerebrovascular disease but should be used with caution for other causes of death.

Severity of acute pancreatitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in the era of biologics: A propensity-score-matched analysis using a nationwide database in Japan

Background and Aim

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a rare extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Several studies from Western countries have reported that the severity of AP in patients with IBD is similar to that in the general population; however, its severity in patients from Eastern countries in the era of biologics remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the severity of AP in patients with IBD and the effect of biologics on the severity of AP using a nationwide database.

Methods

We divided 1138 eligible AP admissions from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database system into IBD and non-IBD groups after propensity score matching, and compared the severity of AP. We divided the IBD group into ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) subgroups and compared each with the non-IBD group. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the clinical factors affecting acute pancreatitis.

Results

IBD and UC groups had lower rate of severe AP compared to the non-IBD group (13.7% vs 28.3%, P < 0.0001 and 11.0% vs 28.3%, P < 0.0001, respectively). There were no differences in the rates of severe AP between the CD and non-IBD groups. Multivariate analysis showed that biologics did not affect the severity of AP.

Conclusion

The severity of AP in patients with IBD may be lower than that in the general population; biologics for IBD may not worsen its severity. Further prospective studies are required to clarify the severity of AP in patients with IBD.

Depression is associated with increased disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis: A propensity score-matched analysis using a nationwide database in Japan

Background and Aim

The incidence and prevalence of psychiatric disorders are elevated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Whether psychiatric disorders could affect the clinical course of IBD is uncertain and controversial. We aimed to evaluate the impact of psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, on the clinical course of IBD using a nationwide database in Japan.

Methods

We collected data on admissions with IBD using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database system introduced in Japan. We divided eligible admissions into IBD with and without depression groups using propensity score matching and compared the rates of surgery, use of molecular targeted drugs and biologics, systemic steroid administrations, and in-hospital death. We also conducted a logistic regression analysis to identify clinical factors affecting surgery, the use of molecular targeted drugs and biologics, and systemic steroid administrations.

Results

The rates of surgery, use of two or more molecular targeted drugs, systemic steroid administrations, and in-hospital deaths in the ulcerative colitis (UC) with depression group were higher than in the UC without depression group. Multivariate analysis of UC showed that depression increased the odds of systemic steroid administrations, use of two or more molecular targeted drugs, and surgery. However, analysis of Crohn's disease showed that only steroid administrations were associated with depression.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated an association between a worse clinical course of UC and depression. Although this result indicates that depression might be associated with increased disease activity in patients with UC, the causal relationship is still unclear. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Long-term effectiveness of ustekinumab comparable to antitumor necrosis factor agents in patients with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Ustekinumab (UST), an antibody against the p40 subunit of interleukin-12/23, has been proven to be effective in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). However, large, long-term comparative studies of UST against anti--tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents are lacking. We compared the effectiveness of anti-TNF agents and UST in CD patients without prior use of biologics.

METHODS

We used a large nationwide anonymized Japanese database containing administrative medical claims data and various related patient data. In a propensity score-matched cohort with similar clinical characteristics, 2-year effectiveness was compared between patients treated with infliximab or adalimumab (anti-TNF group) and those treated with UST (UST group). Primary outcomes were cumulative rates of hospitalization, surgery, and persistence.

RESULTS

Among 53 540 CD patients, 7047 were extracted for eligibility, of which 5665 were treated with an anti-TNF agent and 1382 with UST. After propensity score matching, the cumulative hospitalization rates were comparable between anti-TNF and UST groups (P = 0.85; 25.3% vs 26.5% at 1 year, 33.8% vs 39.8% at 2 years). The cumulative surgery rates were also comparable between these groups (P = 0.46; 5.5% vs 5.1% at 1 year, 8.3% vs 8.4% at 2 years). The persistence rate at 1 year was higher in UST group (90.8% vs 92.5%), and that at 2 years was higher in anti-TNF group (81.2% and 74.6%); however, there was no significant difference in the cumulative persistence rate (P = 0.55).

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-TNF agents and UST appear to have comparable effectiveness for CD patients without prior use of biologics.

Association of pharmacotherapy with the second hip fracture incidence in women: A retrospective analysis of the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan

AIM

Second hip fractures worsen the quality of life and are associated with increased mortality. We clarified the association between the pharmacotherapy and second hip fracture prevention.

METHODS

The relationship between the incidence of second hip fracture and the presence, type and medication possession ratio (MPR) of pharmacotherapy was investigated using medical insurance data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan during April 2012 to March 2019.

RESULTS

Data of 776 040 female patients were analyzed. The 2-year rate of second hip fractures was 3.31% (n = 25 684). Bisphosphonates (n = 148 138, 19.1%) were the most commonly used medications after primary hip fracture. Patients receiving selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) had the lowest age, followed by those receiving bisphosphonates, denosumab and parathyroid hormone (PTH). The second hip fracture crude incidence was lowest in patients administered SERMs (n = 859, 2.44%), followed by those administered bisphosphonates (n = 4451, 3.00%), denosumab (n = 484, 3.19%), no medication (n = 19 017, 3.39%) and PTH (n = 873, 5.35%); however, the age-adjusted incidence was the lowest in patients administered denosumab (2.22%), followed by those administered bisphosphonates (2.35%), SERMs (2.39%), no medications (3.39%) and PTH (3.67%). The MPR was highest in patients administered denosumab (60.0%). Among patients without a second hip fracture, the rate of patients with MPR ≥80% was highest among those administered SERMs (40.8%), followed by those administered bisphosphonates (38.0%), denosumab (35.4%) and PTH (12.2%).

CONCLUSION

Differences in patient background characteristics and the rate of patients with MPR ≥80% might underlie the observed differences in the crude incidence of second hip fracture among the medication groups. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; ••: ••-••.

Effectiveness of colonic stent placement for obstructive colorectal cancers: An analysis of short-term results using a nationwide database in Japan

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is widely used for obstructive colorectal cancer (OCC). Both SEMS and urgent surgery have several merits and demerits. This study aimed to clarify the efficacy of SEMS by comparing the mortality rate after the hospitalization between SEMS and urgent surgery for OCC.

METHODS

We collected OCC patients' data using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database system. We divided eligible patients into the SEMS and urgent surgery groups using propensity score matching and compared in-hospital death rates, length of hospitalization, and medical costs. We also conducted logistic regression analysis to identify clinical factors affecting in-hospital deaths.

RESULTS

We enrolled 17 140 cases after propensity score matching. SEMS reduced the in-hospital death rate compared with urgent surgery (2.0% vs 3.6%, P < 0.0001). Length of hospitalization was shorter in the SEMS group than in the urgent surgery group (16 vs 25 days, P < 0.0001). Medical costs were lower in the SEMS group than in the urgent surgery group (1 663 550 vs 2 424 082 JPY, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis also showed that SEMS reduced in-hospital death (odds ratio = 0.58, 95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.70, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Self-expandable metallic stent placement for OCC might reduce the mortality rate in short term and shorten the length of hospitalization. These results facilitate considering SEMS with careful judgment for its indication when treating OCC patients.

Delayed initiation of anti-osteoporosis medications increases subsequent hip and vertebral fractures in patients on long-term glucocorticoid therapy: A nationwide health insurance claims database study in Japan

PURPOSE

Early initiation of anti-osteoporosis medications (AOMs) is recommended for patients on long-term glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. This study aimed to examine whether physicians prescribe AOMs as soon as GC therapy is initiated, and whether a delay in AOM initiation affects hip and vertebral fracture incidence, using the nationwide health insurance claims database of Japan (NDBJ).

METHODS

Patients aged ≥50 years who were prescribed GC (≥5 mg/day prednisolone or equivalent) for ≥90 days and who were followed for AOM use and hip and vertebral fracture events for the subsequent 1080 days in 2012-2018 were selected from NDBJ. Delay in AOM initiation was defined as the number of days without AOMs following GC therapy initiation. Associations between delay in AOM initiation and hip and vertebral fracture risk were evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

In total, 92,143 women and 94,772 men were included in the analysis, of which only 39.3% of women and 28.5% of men received AOMs within 90 days from GC therapy initiation. Approximately, 15% of hip fractures and 30% of vertebral fractures occurred before AOM initiation in patients with delayed AOM initiation. HRs of both fractures were significantly greater in patients with a longer delay in AOM initiation (p value for trend<0.001). After excluding patients who had fractures before AOM initiation, the magnitude of HRs significantly decreased, and HR trends for hip fracture became insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed initiation of AOMs may result in increased fracture events, which may be reduced by early initiation of AOMs.

Guideline adherence by physicians for management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in Japan: a nationwide health insurance claims database study

Risk of fracture due to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) can be reduced by anti-osteoporosis (OP) medications. The proportion of patients on long-term glucocorticoid therapy who received anti-OP medications according to the GIO management guidelines has increased in recent years, but is still suboptimal.

INTRODUCTION

Adherence of physicians to guidelines for glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis (GIO) management is currently unclear. This study aimed to clarify the state of guideline adherence by physicians in Japan and identify factors associated with guideline adherence using a nationwide health insurance claims database (NDBJ).

METHODS

Patients aged ≥ 50 years who were prescribed GC for ≥ 90 days after 180 days without a GC prescription and who were followed up for osteoporosis (OP) management for the subsequent 360 days during the period spanning 2012-2018 were selected from the NDBJ. Guideline adherence was evaluated with the proportion of patients who received OP management as recommended by the Japanese guidelines. Information on previous vertebral and hip fractures, dementia, and polypharmacy was obtained. Factors associated with OP management were evaluated by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 512,296 patients were considered to be at high risk of fracture according to the guidelines. Proportions of patients receiving OP management (BMD testing or anti-OP medications) have increased in recent years. In 2017, 33.7% of men and 55.3% of women received OP management in the initial 90 days of GC therapy. Female sex, previous anti-OP medications, polypharmacy, and higher GC dose were significantly associated with receiving OP management, while dementia showed an inverse association. A prior history of hip fracture, a strong risk factor for future fracture, was not significantly associated with receiving OP management.

CONCLUSIONS

Although guideline adherence by physicians has increased in recent years, it remains suboptimal. Further efforts to improve guideline adherence are necessary.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

The present study is not registered.

Analysis of the disease activity of ulcerative colitis with and without concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis: An investigation using a nationwide database in Japan

Aims

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a relatively common complication of ulcerative colitis (UC). Only a few studies have investigated the impact of PSC on the clinical course of UC, and their conclusions are contradictory. Therefore, we aimed to compare the disease activity of UC with and without PSC.

Methods and Results

We collected UC patient data using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database system in Japan and classified eligible admissions into two groups based on their diagnosis of either UC alone or UC associated with PSC. We then compared therapeutic details (medical treatment and surgery) between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and propensity score matching was also performed. The rates of systemic steroid injection and infliximab administration in patients with PSC were lower than those in patients without PSC (21% vs. 28%, P = 0.012, 9.6% vs. 16%, P = 0.01, respectively). The rates of surgery, colorectal cancer, duration of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality did not differ between the two groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that concomitant PSC was a clinical factor that reduced the odds of systemic steroid injection (odds ratio [OR] = 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49-0.90, P = 0.008) and infliximab (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.32-0.74, P = 0.0008) administration.

Conclusion

UC patients with PSC might have less UC disease activity than those with UC alone.

Drug Treatment for Patients with Postoperative Delirium and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry in Japan: A Retrospective Observational Study of a Nationwide Hospital Claims Database

BACKGROUND

Delirium is the most commonly experienced disorder in consultation liaisons. There are currently research and guidelines in Japan for delirium treatment. Still, there is no retrospective observational study of consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) and antipsychotic-centered drugs. This study aims to examine CLP's effectiveness and drug treatment.

METHODS

Using a Japanese national inpatient database of 2016 and 2017, we investigated the presence or absence of CLP for the treatment of delirium in postoperative delirium patients, the status of drug selection, delirium days, and the average days from surgery to discharge. We examined factors affecting days from surgery to discharge using multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

This study was classified into a CLP group (n = 1,142) and a non-CLP group (n = 11,355). The days from surgery to discharge in the CLP and non-CLP groups was 16.7 and 17.1, respectively (p = 0.3613). There was a significant difference in the delirium days between the CLP and non-CLP groups (8.9 vs. 7.4; p < 0.00001). Haloperidol infusion was frequently used between the days from surgery to first day of delirium. It was prescribed less often than other oral drugs. Multiple regression analysis identified an association between age, men, CCI1-2, CCI ≥3, number of drugs used, days from surgery to first day of delirium, and early CLP (0-2days) with days from surgery to discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

We investigated the effectiveness of CLP and the actual conditions of pharmacotherapy for postoperative delirium. Our findings suggest that early CLP may be associated with shorter days from surgery to discharge.

Recombinant Human Soluble Thrombomodulin Contributes to a Reduction In-Hospital Mortality of Acute Cholangitis with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation: A Propensity Score Analyses of a Japanese Nationwide Database

The anti-DIC biological agent, recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhTM), is being used clinically for DIC treatment in Japan. Patients with acute cholangitis associated with DIC are severe and require improved treatment. In addition, although clinical efficacy of rhTM in patients with acute cholangitis and DIC is expected, its efficacy is controversial. Thus, it is useful to evaluate rhTM in patients with acute cholangitis with DIC. This study aimed to validate the hypothesis that rhTM use improves in-hospital mortality in patients with acute cholangitis with DIC. A propensity score-matching analysis using a nationwide administrative database, the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination Inpatient Database from April 2012 to March 2018, was performed. This database includes administrative claims data for all inpatients discharged from more than 1,000 participating hospitals, covering 92% of all tertiary-care emergency hospitals in Japan. Eligible patients (n = 2,865) were categorized into the rhTM (n = 1,636) or control groups (n = 1,229). Propensity score-matching created a matched cohort of 910 pairs with and without rhTM. In-hospital mortality between the groups in the unmatched analysis showed no significant difference (rhTM vs. control; 10.8% vs. 12.2%; p = 0.227). However, in-hospital mortality between the groups in the propensity score-matched analysis showed a significant difference (rhTM vs. control; 9.5% vs. 12.9%; p = 0.021). These results demonstrated that the rhTM group had significantly lower in-hospital mortality for patients with acute cholangitis with DIC. We propose that rhTM should be used for the treatment of patients with acute cholangitis with DIC.

Prevention of delayed bleeding with vonoprazan in upper gastrointestinal endoscopic treatment

BACKGROUND

Delayed bleeding is the major adverse event in upper gastrointestinal endoscopic treatment (UGET). We aimed to investigate the efficacy of vonoprazan, which is the novel strong antisecretory agent, to reduce the risk for delayed bleeding in comparison with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in UGET.

METHODS

This retrospective population-based cohort study used the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database in Japan. We included patients on vonoprazan or PPI in UGET between 2014 and 2019. The primary outcome was delayed bleeding. We conducted propensity score matching to balance the comparison groups, and logistic regression analyses to compare the bleeding outcomes.

RESULTS

We enrolled 124,422 patients, in which 34,822 and 89,600 were prescribed with vonoprazan and PPI, respectively. After propensity score matching, the risk for delayed bleeding was lower in vonoprazan than in PPI (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.80), consistent with sensitivity analysis results. In the subgroup analyses of seven UGET procedures, vonoprazan was significantly advantageous in esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (E-ESD) (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.94) and gastroduodenal endoscopic submucosal dissection (GD-ESD) (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.65-0.75), although correction for multiple testing of the outcome data removed the significance in E-ESD. These results were also consistent with sensitivity analysis results. In the five other procedures, no significant advantage was found.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide study found that, compared with PPI, vonoprazan can reduce delayed bleeding with approximately 30% in GD-ESD. Vonoprazan has the possibility to become a new treatment method for preventing delayed bleeding in this procedure.

Efficacy of urgent colonoscopy for colonic diverticular bleeding: A propensity score-matched analysis using a nationwide database in Japan

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Although colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) is considered to have good prognosis with conservative therapy, some cases are severe. The efficacy of urgent colonoscopy for CDB and clinical factors affecting CDB prognosis are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of urgent colonoscopy for CDB and identify risk factors for unfavorable events, including in-hospital death during admission, owing to CDB.

METHODS

We collected CDB patients' data using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database system. We divided eligible patients into urgent and elective colonoscopy groups using propensity score matching and compared endoscopic hemostasis and in-hospital death rates and length of hospital stay. We also conducted logistic regression analysis to identify clinical factors affecting CBD clinical events, including in-hospital death, a relatively rare CDB complication.

RESULTS

Urgent colonoscopy reduced the in-hospital death rate (0.35% vs 0.58%, P = 0.033) and increased the endoscopic hemostasis rate (3.0% vs 1.7%, P < 0.0001) compared with elective colonoscopy. Length of hospitalization was shorter in the urgent than in the elective colonoscopy group (8 vs 9 days, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis also revealed that urgent colonoscopy reduced in-hospital death (odds ratio = 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.46-0.97, P = 0.036) and increased endoscopic hemostasis (odds ratio = 1.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.53-2.22, P <  0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Urgent colonoscopy for CDB may facilitate identification of the bleeding site and reduce in-hospital death. The necessity and appropriate timing of urgent colonoscopy should be considered based on patients' condition.

Effectiveness of Hospital Discharge Support by Medical and Nursing Care Workers in Reducing Readmission Rates of Patients in Long-Term Care Wards: An Observation Study in Japan

For increasing medical care demand by aging population, the Japanese government is shifting to home medical care for treatments that do not necessarily require hospitalization. It is therefore essential to identify factors involved in improving the quality and outcomes of home medical care. This study examined the effect of hospital discharge support in long-term care wards on readmission rates. We used medical insurance and the Long-Term Care Insurance data of patients aged ≥ 65. Participants were patients who discharged between April 2012 and March 2016 from long-term care wards that did not require 24-hour monitoring and had no specific incurable diseases. Participants were divided into two groups according to hospital discharge support, defined by medical fee incentives for discharge planning and coordination of medical and nursing services after discharge. We explored the association between hospital discharge support and risk-adjusted readmission based on patient characteristics for one year beginning the month after patient discharge. This study involved a total of 10,998 patients: 2,563 patients with hospital discharge support and 8,435 patients without relevant support. In the group with hospital discharge support, there was a significant reduction in readmission rates. When examined by patients' characteristics, this association was significant in groups with age ≥ 85, care needs levels 1 to 2 (conditions requiring partial care for daily living), dementia or fracture. Our results suggest that hospital discharge support by medical and nursing care workers is effective in reducing readmission rates. Moreover, patients' age, care needs, and underlying disease should be considered.

Consultation-liaison psychiatry in Japan: a nationwide retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP)-professional psychiatric care provided to coordinate with surgical or medical treatment of inpatients with psychiatric disorders-was included in universal health coverage in Japan in 2012. Despite evidence of benefits of CLP, basic data and geographic distribution information regarding CLP at the national level remain unclear. This study aimed to 1) identify the geographic disparity of CLP in Japan and 2) investigate the association between number of consultations per CLP patient and region.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed anonymized data retrieved from the Japanese administrative inpatient database regarding inpatients who were provided CLP between April 2012 and March 2017. Demographic characteristics were summarized and geographic disparity by prefecture was visualized for fiscal years 2012 and 2016; we also summarized the data according to region. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to investigate association between the number of consultations per CLP patient and region after adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

Data from a total of 46,171 patients who received 138,866 CLP services were included. Results revealed more patients aged 75-84 years received CLPs than any other age group (29.7%) and the overall male/female ratio was 53:47 in 2016. In 2012 and 2016, 24.2 and 30.7% of CLP patients, respectively, were transferred to other hospitals; 9.7 and 8.8%, respectively, discharged due to the death. CLP services were provided in 14 prefectures in 2012 and 33 by 2016; 14 prefectures had no available CLP services. After adjusting for covariates, Tohoku (β = - 0.220, p < 0.034), Chugoku (β = - 0.160, p < 0.026), and Shikoku (β = - 0.555, p < 0.001) had a significant negative correlation with the number of consultations per CLP patient compared with Hokkaido region (an adjusted R square (R2) = 0.274).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study clarified the characteristics of patients in Japan who received CLPs and the geographic disparity in CLP services. Although 5 years had passed since CLP was introduced, the results imply wide availability of CLP nationally. The analysis data provided may inform future policies to improve CLP services.

Effects of polymyxin B hemoperfusion in patients with sepsis requiring continuous hemodiafiltration: Analysis of a nationwide administrative database in Japan

This study investigated sepsis patients' current status with continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) with or without polymyxin B hemoperfusion (PMX). We identified 17 367 adult sepsis patients treated with CHDF and PMX using the Japanese diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) database from April 2016 to March 2019. More than half of the patients in this category resulted in death in the hospital, which means that patients in this group were critically ill. Among the patients who received CHDF, the 28-day survival rate of PMX-treated patients was significantly higher than that of non-treated patients, after adjusting the patient background by propensity score matching (69.5% vs. 65.4%, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the length of hospital stay and intensive care unit stay was significantly shorter in PMX-treated patients than that of non-treated patients. These results suggest that PMX may provide benefits to patients with severe sepsis requiring CHDF.

Insufficient persistence of and adherence to osteoporosis pharmacotherapy in Japan

INTRODUCTION

Only a few large-scale studies have examined the care gap in Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the persistence of and adherence to osteoporosis pharmacotherapy in Japan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rates of continuation (persistence) of and adherence to osteoporosis pharmacotherapy were investigated using medical insurance data, issued from July 2013 to December 2018, from the medical care system for elderly individuals in Hokkaido, Japan.

RESULTS

The study included 7918 male and 52,585 female patients. Persistence rates were 62.1% in the first year and 45.3% in the second year. There were 33,096 patients who discontinued medication; 8296 patients resumed medication during the observation period of 730 days. The median time to the discontinuation of medication for all the patients was 702 days. The 2-year medication possession ratio (MPR) was 63.8%; 30,989 patients (51.2%) had an MPR ≥ 80% and 20,788 (34.4%) had an MPR < 50%. Both the persistence and adherence were better in females than in males and worsened with increasing age. Comparisons of fracture history showed that persistence and MPR were higher in the no hip or vertebral fracture group, followed by hip fracture, vertebral fracture, and hip and vertebral fracture groups. Meanwhile, more patients in the hip fracture group had an MPR ≥ 80%.

CONCLUSION

Persistence of and adherence to osteoporotic pharmacotherapy are not very high in Japan. To bridge the care gap following osteoporosis pharmacotherapy, improvements are required for males, the elderly, and those with a history of vertebral fracture.

The clinical practice of ulcerative colitis in elderly patients: An investigation using a nationwide database in Japan

Background and Aim

The number of elderly patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing worldwide. The clinical practice of associated treatment is still unclear. Therefore, we aimed to analyze clinical treatment realities and mortality in elderly and non‐elderly patients with UC.

Methods

We collected UC patients' data using the diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) database system and divided eligible patients into elderly (≥65 years) and non‐elderly (≤64 years) groups. We investigated and compared their therapeutic histories (medical treatments vs. surgery). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify clinical factors affecting surgery and in‐hospital death in each group.

Results

The rates of systemic steroid injection, molecular targeting drug usage, and surgery were not different between the two age groups. Meanwhile, the rate of in‐hospital death in elderly patients was higher than that in non‐elderly patients (2.7% vs. 0.19%, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that lower body mass index, treatment at an academic hospital, smoking history, molecular targeting drug use, and treatment with systemic steroid injection affected the rate of surgery in the elderly group. Multivariate analysis also revealed that male and older age affected the rate of in‐hospital death in the elderly group. Similar tendencies were also recognized in the non‐elderly group.

Conclusions

The clinical practice of treating elderly patients with UC is overall not different from treating non‐elderly patients with UC. Although the form of medical treatment and surgery rate for elderly patients with UC may not be significantly different from non‐elderly patients, the rate of in‐hospital death for elderly patients is higher.

Risk factors leading to trabeculectomy surgery of glaucoma patient using Japanese nationwide administrative claims data: a retrospective non-interventional cohort study

BACKGROUND

Early recognition and management of baseline risk factors may play an important role in reducing glaucoma surgery burdens. However, no studies have investigated them using real-world data in Japan or other countries. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors leading to trabeculectomy surgery, which is the most common procedure of glaucoma surgery, of glaucoma patient using the Japanese nationwide administrative claims data associated with the diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) system.

METHODS

It was a retrospective, non-interventional cohort study. Data were collected from patients who were admitted to DPC participating hospitals, nationwide acute care hospitals and were diagnosed with glaucoma between 2012 to 2018. The primary outcome was the risk factors associated with trabeculectomy surgery. The association between baseline characteristics and trabeculectomy surgery was identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis by comparing patients with and without trabeculectomy surgery. Meanwhile, the secondary outcomes included the rate of comorbidities, the rate of concomitant drug use and the treatment patterns of glaucoma eye drops at the index admission. Among patients with trabeculectomy surgery, the risk factors leading to cataract surgery were also evaluated as subgroup analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 29,599 patients included in the analysis, 12,038 and 17,561 patients were in the glaucoma surgery and non-glaucoma surgery cohorts, respectively. The factors associated with the increase in trabeculectomy surgery were having allergies, taking concomitant drugs including cancer, depression, ischemic heart disease and peptic ulcer, being diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma and longer length of stay in hospital. In contrast, the factors associated with the decrease in trabeculectomy surgery were having hypertension, taking hypertension drug, age ≥ 80 and female.

CONCLUSIONS

Special focus on Japanese patients with glaucoma who have allergy-related comorbidities or take immune, nervous, circulatory or gastrointestinal system-related concomitant drugs seems to be desirable.