Muscular dystrophy-related hospitalizations among male pediatric patients in the United States

30-day all-cause readmission rates among a cohort of individuals with rare conditions

BACKGROUND

There is a need to examine health care utilization of individuals with the rare conditions muscular dystrophies, spina bifida, and fragile X syndrome. These individuals have a greater need for health care services, particularly inpatient admissions. Prior studies have not yet assessed 30-day all-cause readmission rates.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate 30-day hospital readmission rates among individuals with three rare conditions.

HYPOTHESIS

Rare conditions patients will have a higher 30-day all-cause readmission rate than those without.

METHODS

Data from three sources (2007-2014) were combined for this case-control analysis. A cohort of individuals with one of the three conditions was matched (by age in 5 year age groups, gender, and race) to a comparison group without a rare condition. Inpatient utilization and 30-day all-cause readmission rates were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analyses compared the odds of a 30-day all-cause readmission across the two groups, controlling for key covariates.

RESULTS

A larger proportion in the rare condition group had at least one inpatient visit (46.1%) vs. the comparison group (23.6%), and a higher 30-day all-cause readmission rate (Spina Bifida-46.7%, Muscular Dystrophy-39.7%, and Fragile X Syndrome-35.8%) than the comparison group (13.4%). Logistic regression results indicated that condition status contributed significantly to differences in readmission rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher rates of inpatient utilization and 30-day all-cause readmission among individuals with rare conditions vs. those without are not surprising, given the medical complexity of these individuals, and indicates an area where unfavorable outcomes may be improved with proper care coordination and post discharge care.

Respiratory health service utilization of children with neuromuscular disease

OBJECTIVES

To quantify health service utilization including assessment, monitoring, and treatment of respiratory complications of children with neuromuscular disease (NMD), identifying practice variation and adherence to guideline recommendations at a population level.

METHODS

North American population-based cohort study (2003-2015) of children with NMD using hospital diagnostic and physician billing codes within health administrative databases.

RESULTS

We identified 18 163 children with NMD. Mean (SD) age was 7.8 (5.6) years with 40% ≤5; 45% were female. Most common diagnoses were cerebral palsy (50%) and spina bifida (16%); 8% had muscular dystrophy. From fiscal years 2003-2014, 15 600 (86%) children went to an emergency department on average 3.5 times every 3 years; 6575 (36%) for respiratory reasons. 8788 (48%) were admitted to hospital with 2190 (12%) for respiratory reasons and 2451 (13%) required intensive care. Respiratory specialist outpatient visits occurred for 2226 (12%) children on average 6.5 visits every 3 years; 723 (4%) had in-hospital respiratory specialist consultation. Pulmonary function testing was conducted in 3194 (18%) children on average 2.4 times every 3 years; sleep studies in 1389 (8%).

CONCLUSION

In this population-based study of children with NMD, healthcare utilization for respiratory complications was considerable. Frequency of respiratory specialist consultation, monitoring of respiratory function and sleep disordered breathing was variable but on average reflected professional society recommendations. Children with NMD are frequent ED users suggesting a need to improve community and social supports. We did not detect reduced access to respiratory monitoring or specialist consultation in adolescents transitioning to adult services.