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Twohig PA, Scholten K, Schissel M, Brittan K, Barbaretta J, Samson K, Smith L, Mailliard M, Peeraphatdit TB. Mortality Increased Among Hospitalized Patients with Cirrhosis Before and Following Different Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dig Dis Sci 2023; 68:4381-4388. [PMID: 37864739 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-08105-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted patient care and worsened the morbidity and mortality of some chronic diseases. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalizations and outcomes in patients with cirrhosis both before and during different time periods of the pandemic has not been evaluated. AIMS Describe characteristics of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and evaluate inpatient mortality and 30-day readmission before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Retrospective single-center cohort study of all hospitalized patients with cirrhosis from 2018 to 2022. Time periods within the COVID-19 pandemic were defined using reference data from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control. Adjusted odds ratios from logistic regression were used to assess differences between periods. RESULTS 33,926 unique hospitalizations were identified. Most patients were over age 60 years across all time periods of the pandemic. More Hispanic patients were hospitalized during COVID-19 than before COVID-19. Medicare and Medicaid are utilized less frequently during COVID-19 than before COVID-19. After controlling for age and gender, inpatient mortality was significantly higher during all COVID-19 periods except Omicron compared to before COVID-19. The odds of experiencing a 30-day readmission were 1.2 times higher in the pre-vaccination period compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. CONCLUSION Inpatient mortality among patients with cirrhosis has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before COVID-19. Although COVID-19 infection may have had a small direct pathologic effect on the natural history of cirrhotic liver disease, it is more likely that other factors are impacting this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A Twohig
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 982000 Medical Center Drive, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Kyle Scholten
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 982000 Medical Center Drive, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Makayla Schissel
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 984375 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Kevin Brittan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 982000 Medical Center Drive, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Jason Barbaretta
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 982000 Medical Center Drive, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Kaeli Samson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 984375 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Lynette Smith
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 984375 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Mark Mailliard
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 982000 Medical Center Drive, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Thoetchai Bee Peeraphatdit
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 982000 Medical Center Drive, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
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Characteristics and Outcomes of Black and White Patients Hospitalized With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Nationwide Analysis. J Clin Gastroenterol 2022; 57:508-514. [PMID: 35357331 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an increasingly common etiology for liver-related hospitalizations in the United States. The aim of this study was to examine the differences of disease characteristics and outcomes between hospitalized Black and White patients with NASH. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify all adult hospitalizations with NASH (ICD-10 code: K75.81) from 2016 to 2018. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics between Black and White patients. Multivariable models were computed to compare all-cause mortality, length of stay (LOS), and total hospital costs between the groups. RESULTS There were 43,409 hospitalizations with NASH (41,143 White, 2266 Black). Black patients were less likely to have cirrhosis (33.6%) compared with Whites (56.4%), P<0.0001. Black patients were less likely to have esophageal variceal bleeding (1.2% vs. 3.5%), ascites (17.1% vs. 28.8%), and acute liver failure (16.2% vs. 28.9%) compared with Whites (all P<0.0001). These findings were consistent among patients with cirrhosis. Mortality was higher among Blacks compared with Whites (3.9% vs. 3.7%, adjusted odds ratio=1.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.71, P=0.018). Compared with Whites, Blacks had a longer LOS (6.3 vs. 5.6, P<0.001), and higher hospital costs ($18,602 vs. $17,467; P=0.03). CONCLUSION In this large population of inpatients with NASH, Black patients were less likely to have cirrhosis and liver disease-related complications, but had overall worse hospital mortality, longer LOS, and higher hospital costs. Further research is warranted to elaborate on factors that generate the health inequities in NASH outcomes between Black and White patients.
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3
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Brahmania M, Alotaibi A, Mooney O, Rush B. Treatment in disproportionately minority hospitals is associated with an increased mortality in end-stage liver disease. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 33:1408-1413. [PMID: 32796359 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial and ethnic disparities are a barrier in delivery of healthcare across the USA. Care for minority patients tends to be clustered into a small number of providers at minority hospitals, which has been associated with worse clinical outcomes in several conditions. However, the outcomes of treatment in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) at predominately minority hospitals are unknown. We investigated the burden of the problem. METHODS We utilized the nationwide in-patient sample (NIS) to conduct a retrospective nationwide cohort analysis. All patients >18 years of age admitted with ESLD were included in the analysis. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to study the mortality rate among patients with ESLD treated at minority hospitals compared to nonminority hospitals. RESULTS A total of 53 281 467 hospitalizations from the 2008 to 2014 NIS were analyzed. There were 163 470 patients with ESLD that met inclusion criteria. In-hospital mortality rates for all races were 8.0 and 8.1% in black and Hispanic minority hospitals, respectively, compared to 7.3% in nonminority hospitals (P < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, treatment of ESLD in black and Hispanic minority hospitals was associated with 11% [odds ratio (OR), 1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.20; P < 0.01] and 22% (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.09-1.37; P < 0.01) increased odds of death, respectively, compared to treatment in nonminority hospitals regardless of patient's race. CONCLUSION Patients with ESLD treated at minority hospitals are faced with an increased mortality rate regardless of patient's race. This study highlights another quality gap that needs improvement to affect overall survival among patients with ESLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Brahmania
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Western University, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ammar Alotaibi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Western University, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Owen Mooney
- Department of Medicine, Division of Critical Care, Health Sciences Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Barret Rush
- Department of Medicine, Division of Critical Care, Health Sciences Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Ishaque T, Kernodle AB, Motter JD, Jackson KR, Chiang TP, Getsin S, Boyarsky BJ, Garonzik-Wang J, Gentry SE, Segev DL, Massie AB. MELD is MELD is MELD? Transplant center-level variation in waitlist mortality for candidates with the same biological MELD. Am J Transplant 2021; 21:3305-3311. [PMID: 33870635 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Recently, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)-based liver allocation in the United States has been questioned based on concerns that waitlist mortality for a given biologic MELD (bMELD), calculated using laboratory values alone, might be higher at certain centers in certain locations across the country. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the center-level variation in bMELD-predicted mortality risk. Using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) data from January 2015 to December 2019, we modeled mortality risk in 33 260 adult, first-time waitlisted candidates from 120 centers using multilevel Poisson regression, adjusting for sex, and time-varying age and bMELD. We calculated a "MELD correction factor" using each center's random intercept and bMELD coefficient. A MELD correction factor of +1 means that center's candidates have a higher-than-average bMELD-predicted mortality risk equivalent to 1 bMELD point. We found that the "MELD correction factor" median (IQR) was 0.03 (-0.47, 0.52), indicating almost no center-level variation. The number of centers with "MELD correction factors" within ±0.5 points, and between ±0.5-± 1, ±1.0-±1.5, and ±1.5-±2.0 points was 62, 41, 13, and 4, respectively. No centers had waitlisted candidates with a higher-than-average bMELD-predicted mortality risk beyond ±2 bMELD points. Given that bMELD similarly predicts waitlist mortality at centers across the country, our results support continued MELD-based prioritization of waitlisted candidates irrespective of center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanveen Ishaque
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Amber B Kernodle
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer D Motter
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kyle R Jackson
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Teresa P Chiang
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Samantha Getsin
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brian J Boyarsky
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Sommer E Gentry
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Mathematics, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, USA
| | - Dorry L Segev
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Allan B Massie
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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5
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Wong RJ, Hirode G. The Effect of Hospital Safety-Net Burden and Patient Ethnicity on In-Hospital Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients With Cirrhosis. J Clin Gastroenterol 2021; 55:624-630. [PMID: 33136780 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 2.1 million individuals in the United Stats have cirrhosis, including 513,000 with decompensated cirrhosis. Hospitals with high safety-net burden disproportionately serve ethnic minorities and have reported worse outcomes in surgical literature. No studies to date have evaluated whether hospital safety-net burden negatively affects hospitalization outcomes in cirrhosis. We aim to evaluate the impact of hospitals' safety-net burden and patients' ethnicity on in-hospital mortality among cirrhosis patients. METHODS Using National Inpatient Sample data from 2012 to 2016, the largest United States all-payer inpatient health care claims database of hospital discharges, cirrhosis-related hospitalizations were stratified into tertiles of safety-net burden: high (HBH), medium (MBH), and low (LBH) burden hospitals. Safety-net burden was calculated as percentage of hospitalizations per hospital with Medicaid or uninsured payer status. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated factors associated with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS Among 322,944 cirrhosis-related hospitalizations (63.7% white, 9.9% black, 15.6% Hispanic), higher odds of hospitalization in HBHs versus MBH/LBHs was observed in blacks (OR, 1.26; 95%CI, 1.17-1.35; P<0.001) and Hispanics (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.50-1.78; P<0.001) versus whites. Cirrhosis-related hospitalizations in MBHs or HBHs were associated with greater odds of in-hospital mortality versus LBHs (HBH vs. LBH: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.00-1.10; P=0.044). Greater odds of in-hospital mortality was observed in blacks (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.21-1.34; P<0.001) versus whites. CONCLUSION Cirrhosis patients hospitalized in HBH experienced 5% higher mortality than those in LBH, resulting in significantly greater deaths in cirrhosis patients. Even after adjusting for safety-net burden, blacks with cirrhosis had 27% higher in-hospital mortality compared with whites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Grishma Hirode
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada
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6
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Mazumder NR, Simpson D, Atiemo K, Jackson K, Zhao L, Daud A, Kho A, Gabra LG, Caicedo JC, Levitsky J, Ladner DP. Black Patients With Cirrhosis Have Higher Mortality and Lower Transplant Rates: Results From a Metropolitan Cohort Study. Hepatology 2021; 74:926-936. [PMID: 34128254 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Estimates of racial disparity in cirrhosis have been limited by lack of large-scale, longitudinal data, which track patients from diagnosis to death and/or transplant. APPROACH AND RESULTS We analyzed a large, metropolitan, population-based electronic health record data set from seven large health systems linked to the state death registry and the national transplant database. Multivariate competing risk analyses, adjusted for sex, age, insurance status, Elixhauser score, etiology of cirrhosis, HCC, portal hypertensive complication, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELD-Na), examined the relationship between race, transplant, and cause of death as defined by blinded death certificate review. During the study period, 11,277 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 2,498 (22.2%) identified as Black. Compared to White patients, Black patients had similar age, sex, MELD-Na, and proportion of alcohol-associated liver disease, but higher comorbidity burden, lower rates of private insurance, and lower rates of portal hypertensive complications. Compared to White patients, Black patients had the highest rate all-cause mortality and non-liver-related death and were less likely to be listed or transplanted (P < 0.001 for all). In multivariate competing risk analysis, Black patients had a 26% increased hazard of liver-related death (subdistribution HR, 1.26; 95% CI, [1.15-1.38]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Black patients with cirrhosis have discordant outcomes. Further research is needed to determine how to address these real disparities in the field of hepatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhilesh R Mazumder
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIL.,Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC)ChicagoIL
| | - Dinee Simpson
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC)ChicagoIL.,Division of TransplantDepartment of SurgeryNorthwestern MedicineChicagoIL
| | - Kofi Atiemo
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC)ChicagoIL.,Tulane Abdominal Transplant InstituteDepartment of SurgeryTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLA
| | - Kathryn Jackson
- Institute for Public Health and Medicine-Center for Health Information PartnershipsNorthwestern University, Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIL
| | - Lihui Zhao
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC)ChicagoIL.,Department of Preventative MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIL
| | - Amna Daud
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC)ChicagoIL
| | - Abel Kho
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC)ChicagoIL.,Institute for Public Health and Medicine-Center for Health Information PartnershipsNorthwestern University, Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIL
| | - Lauren G Gabra
- Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIL
| | - Juan C Caicedo
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC)ChicagoIL.,Division of TransplantDepartment of SurgeryNorthwestern MedicineChicagoIL
| | - Josh Levitsky
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIL.,Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC)ChicagoIL
| | - Daniela P Ladner
- Comprehensive Transplant CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC)ChicagoIL.,Division of TransplantDepartment of SurgeryNorthwestern MedicineChicagoIL
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7
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Spiewak T, Taefi A, Patel S, Li CS, Chak E. Racial disparities of Black Americans hospitalized for decompensated liver cirrhosis. BMC Gastroenterol 2020; 20:245. [PMID: 32727386 PMCID: PMC7391571 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-020-01392-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial disparities have been reported in liver transplantation and chronic hepatitis C treatment outcomes. Determining causes of these disparities is important given the racially diverse American population and the economic burden associated with chronic liver disease. METHODS A retrospective study was performed among 463 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis admitted from (January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2018) to a tertiary care academic medical center. Patients were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) for cirrhosis or its complications. Demographic information, laboratory data, medical comorbidities, insurance and adherence to cirrhosis quality care indicators were recorded to determine their relationship to readmission rates and other healthcare outcomes. RESULTS A total of 463 individual patients with cirrhosis were identified including Whites (n = 241), Hispanics (n = 106), Blacks (n = 50), Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (API, n = 27) and Other (n = 39). A significantly higher proportion of Blacks had Medicaid insurance compared to Whites (40% versus 20%, p = 0.0002) and Blacks had lower median income than Whites ($45,710 versus $54,844, p = 0.01). All groups received high quality cirrhosis care. Regarding healthcare outcomes, Black patients had the highest mean total hospital admissions (6.1 ± 6.3, p = 0.01) and the highest mean number of 30-day re-admissions (2.1 ± 3.7, p = 0.05) compared to all other racial groups. Multivariable proportional odds regression analysis showed that race was a statistically significant predictor of 90-day readmission (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Black Americans hospitalized for complications of cirrhosis may experience significant disparities in healthcare outcomes compared to Whites despite high quality cirrhosis care. Socioeconomic factors may contribute to these disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted Spiewak
- Department of Internal Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Amir Taefi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UC Davis Medical Center, 4150 V Street, PSSB 3500, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Shruti Patel
- Department of Internal Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Chin-Shang Li
- School of Nursing, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Eric Chak
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UC Davis Medical Center, 4150 V Street, PSSB 3500, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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8
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Bodek D, Patel P, Ahlawat S, Orosz E, Nasereddin T, Pyrsopoulos N. Superior Performance of Teaching and Transplant Hospitals in the Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy from 2007 to 2014. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2018; 6:362-371. [PMID: 30637212 PMCID: PMC6328739 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2017.00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Hepatic encephalopathy is a liver disease complication with significant mortality and costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative performance of facilities based on their teaching status and transplant capability by correlating their connections to mortality, cost, and length of stay from 2007 to 2014. Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was utilized to collect information on (USA) American patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy from 2007-2014. Hospitals were placed into one of four categories using their teaching and transplant status. Using regression analysis, mortality, length of stay and cost adjusted rate ratios were calculated. Results: The study revealed that teaching transplant centers had a mortality risk ratio of 0.783 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.750-0.819, p < 0.001). Blacks had the highest mortality risk ratio, of 1.273 (95%CI: 1.217-1.331, p < 0.001). Furthermore, teaching transplant hospitals had a cost rate ratio of 1.226 (95%CI: 1.214-1.238, p < 0.001) and a length of stay rate ratio of 1.104 (95%CI: 1.093-1.115, p < 0.001). Conclusions: It appears that admission to transplant facilities for hepatic encephalopathy is associated with reduced mortality but increased costs and longer stay independent of transplantation. Moreover, factors impacting black mortality should also be examined more closely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bodek
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Pavan Patel
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Sushil Ahlawat
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Evan Orosz
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Thayer Nasereddin
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, NJ, USA
- *Correspondence to: Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, MSB H538, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. Tel: +1-973-972-5252, Fax: +1-973-972-3144, E-mail:
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9
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Ross K, Patzer RE, Goldberg DS, Lynch RJ. Sociodemographic Determinants of Waitlist and Posttransplant Survival Among End-Stage Liver Disease Patients. Am J Transplant 2017; 17:2879-2889. [PMID: 28695615 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
While regional organ availability dominates discussions of distribution policy, community-level disparities remain poorly understood. We studied micro-geographic determinants of survival risk and their distribution across Donor Service Areas (DSAs). Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients records for all adults waitlisted for liver transplantation 2002-2014 were reviewed. The primary exposure variables were county-level sociodemographic risk, as measured by the Community Health Score (CHS), a previously-validated composite index local health conditions, and distance to listing transplant center. Among 114 347 patients, the median CHS was 19.4 (range: 0-40). Compared the lowest risk counties (CHS 1-10), highest-risk counties (CHS 31-40) had more black (14.6% vs. 5.4%), publicly insured (44.9% vs. 33.0), and remote candidates (34.0% vs. 15.1% living >100 miles away). Higher-CHS candidates had greater waitlist mortality in Cox multivariable (HR 1.16 for CHS 31-40, 95% CI 1.11-1.21) and competing risks analysis (sHR 1.07, 95% CI 0.99-1.14). Post-transplant survival was similar across CHS quartiles. Living >25 miles from the transplant center conferred excess mortality risk (sHR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.12). Proposed distribution changes would disproportionately impact DSAs with more high-CHS or distant candidates. Low-income, rural and minority patients experience excess mortality while awaiting transplant, and risk disproportionately worse outcomes with reduced organ availability under current proposals.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ross
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - R E Patzer
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - D S Goldberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - R J Lynch
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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10
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Robinson A, Tavakoli H, Liu B, Bhuket T, Cheung R, Wong RJ. African-Americans with Cirrhosis Are Less Likely to Receive Endoscopic Variceal Screening Within One Year of Cirrhosis Diagnosis. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2017; 5:860-866. [PMID: 29052175 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-017-0432-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal variceal hemorrhage is a complication of cirrhosis that carries high mortality, and can be reduced with timely endoscopic variceal screening and treatment. AIM We aim to evaluate overall rates of and disparities in receipt of endoscopic variceal screening among an ethnically diverse urban safety-net hospital. METHODS All consecutive adults with cirrhosis (7/1/2014 to 12/31/2015) were retrospectively evaluated to determine the rates of receiving esophageal variceal screening within 6 months and within 1 year after cirrhosis diagnosis. Race-/ethnicity-specific differences in rates of variceal screening were compared using chi-square testing and multivariate regression methods. RESULTS Among 157 patients (65% male, 33.8% Hispanic, 22.3% African-American, 44.6% alcoholic liver disease, 29.9% chronic HCV), 56.8% received variceal screening within 6 months and 65.8% received screening within 1 year. Compared to non-Hispanic whites with cirrhosis, African-Americans (52.2 vs. 76.2%, p < 0.05), Asians (57.1 vs. 76.2%, p < 0.05), and Hispanics (43.9 vs. 76.2%, p < 0.05) were all significantly less likely to receive endoscopic variceal screening within 6 months after cirrhosis diagnosis. On multivariate analysis, African-Americans with cirrhosis were 66% less likely to receive variceal screening compared to non-Hispanic whites (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15-0.77, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Among adults with cirrhosis at a community-based safety-net hospital system, overall first-time variceal screening remains suboptimal. African-Americans were the least likely to receive timely variceal screening. These findings are particularly concerning given the significant barriers that ethnic minorities and safety-net populations already face in timely access to medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Robinson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Alameda Health System-Highland Hospital, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Hesam Tavakoli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Alameda Health System-Highland Hospital, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Benny Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Alameda Health System-Highland Hospital Campus, 1411 East 31st Street, Highland Hospital-Highland Care Pavilion 5th Floor, Endoscopy Unit, Oakland, CA, 94602, USA
| | - Taft Bhuket
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Alameda Health System-Highland Hospital Campus, 1411 East 31st Street, Highland Hospital-Highland Care Pavilion 5th Floor, Endoscopy Unit, Oakland, CA, 94602, USA
| | - Ramsey Cheung
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robert J Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Alameda Health System-Highland Hospital Campus, 1411 East 31st Street, Highland Hospital-Highland Care Pavilion 5th Floor, Endoscopy Unit, Oakland, CA, 94602, USA.
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