ICD-9 diagnosis codes have poor sensitivity for identification of preexisting comorbidities in traumatic fracture patients: A study of the National Trauma Data Bank

Association Between Congenital Heart Disease-Related Diagnosis Codes and Trauma Surgery Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one the most common congenital anomalies, with a prevalence of 8-10 cases per 1000 live births in the United States. Congenital heart disease has been recognized as a risk factor for poor perioperative and postoperative outcomes in non-cardiac surgery. We aimed to determine if documentation of CHD-related diagnosis codes was associated with similar risks for trauma surgery.

METHODS

Data were acquired from the 2010-2019 American College of Surgeons' Trauma Quality Programs Participant Use Files. This study included trauma patients of all ages with one or more surgical procedures and at least one documented non-trauma (comorbidity) International Classification of Diseases code. Patients were stratified based on presence of CHD-related comorbidity codes vs any other comorbidity. Outcomes included mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and in-hospital complications.

RESULTS

Using 1:1 propensity score matching, we matched 215 cases with CHD-related comorbid diagnoses to non-CHD controls. Compared to patients with other comorbidities, patients with CHD-related comorbidites were less likely to be discharged home to self-care (odds ratio: 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25, 078 P = .005) and tended to have prolonged hospital LOS (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.001, 1.13, P = .046).

CONCLUSIONS

We present the first quantitative multicenter analysis correlating documentation of comorbid CHD-related diagnoses with higher risk of adverse outcomes after trauma surgery. These results support the need to routinely acknowledge and document CHD as comorbidity in trauma admissions that could lead to surgical intervention and for trauma centers to prepare for patients with a possible CHD comorbidity.

Risk Factor Analysis of Surgery-related Complications in Primary Thoracic Spine Surgery for Degenerative Diseases and Characteristics of the Patients Also Undergoing Surgery on the Cervical and/or Lumbar Spine

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data.

OBJECTIVE

This study primarily aimed to investigate the risk factors for surgery-related complications in primary thoracic spine surgery for degenerative diseases using a surgeon-maintained database. The secondary purpose was to elucidate the characteristics of surgically treated thoracic myelopathy that also required cervical and/or lumbar spine surgery in the study period.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Few studies reported surgical complications and the feature of tandem spinal stenosis in thoracic myelopathy in detail because of their rarity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 840 thoracic myelopathy patients undergoing primary surgery for degenerative diseases from 2012 to 2021, investigating the effects of diseases, surgical procedures, and patient demographics on postoperative neurological deterioration, dural tear, dural leakage, surgical-site infection, and postoperative hematoma. In thoracic myelopathy patients who were surgically treated and also undergoing cervical and/or lumbar surgery, we investigated the proportion, the effects of diseases, and the order and intervals between surgeries.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression revealed that significant risk factors ( P <0.05) for postoperative neurological deterioration were intervertebral disk herniation [odds ratio (OR): 4.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-16.0) and degenerative spondylolisthesis (OR: 11.1, 95% CI: 2.15-57.5). Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OR: 4.12, 95% CI: 1.92-8.86), anterior spinal fusion (OR: 41.2, 95% CI: 4.70-361), and circumferential decompression via a posterior approach (OR: 30.5, 95% CI: 2.27-410) were risk factors for dural tear. In thoracic myelopathy patients surgically treated, 37.0% also underwent degenerative cervical and/or lumbar surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathologies involving anterior decompression and instability increased the risk of postoperative neurological deterioration. The risk of dural tear was increased when dura mater adhesions were likely to be directly operated upon. It should be recognized that a relatively high proportion (37.0%) of surgically treated thoracic myelopathy patients also underwent cervical and/or lumbar surgery.

Patterns of health care interactions of individuals with alcohol use disorder: A latent class analysis

INTRODUCTION

Given the high rates at which individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) utilize health care for co-existing conditions, health systems are promising venues for interventions that will facilitate access to AUD treatment. However, how individuals with AUD interact with such systems and, thus, how systems should intervene is unclear. In this study, we seek to identify patterns in how individuals diagnosed with AUD within an academic health system interacted with the system prior to diagnosis.

METHODS

We use electronic health records from a single academic health system in a major US metropolitan area to create a deidentified retrospective cohort including all individuals age 18+ diagnosed with AUD 2010-2019 (n = 26,899). Latent class analysis (LCA) identified subgroups defined by aspects of previous system interaction and health status, including having an in-system primary care provider, previous utilization of primary and specialty care, diagnosis setting, payer, and presence of other chronic conditions. We then assessed subgroup differences in demographics and associations with in-system AUD treatment receipt in the year following diagnosis, adjusting for demographics.

RESULTS

The population was on average 38.6 years old (standard deviation = 15.4) and predominantly male (66.1 %), White (64.5 %), and not of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (87.8 %). Only 4.7 % received in-system treatment following diagnosis. We deemed the four-class model the optimal LCA model. This model identified subgroups that can be described as 1) average utilization (20.7 % of population), 2) low utilization (54.5 %), 3) high health burden and low utilization (14.2 %), and 4) high health burden and high utilization (10.6 %). Predicted membership in the high health burden and high utilization subgroup and low utilization subgroup were associated with higher and lower odds of treatment receipt, respectively, compared with predicted membership in the average utilization subgroup (odds ratio (OR) for high/high subgroup = 1.21, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.01, 1.27; OR for low subgroup = 0.29 95 % CI = 0.24, 0.34).

CONCLUSION

Individuals diagnosed with AUD within a health system interact with that system in markedly different ways and are unlikely to benefit uniformly from system-based interventions to facilitate treatment. Group-tailored interventions are more likely to have impact and provide returns on investments for systems.

Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Measures for Identifying Patients Requiring High-Intensity Care

OBJECTIVES

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) may progress to require high-intensity care. Approaches to identify hospitalized patients with AWS who received higher level of care have not been previously examined. This study aimed to examine the utility of Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Alcohol Revised (CIWA-Ar) for alcohol scale scores and medication doses for alcohol withdrawal management in identifying patients who received high-intensity care.

DESIGN

A multicenter observational cohort study of hospitalized adults with alcohol withdrawal.

SETTING

University of Chicago Medical Center and University of Wisconsin Hospital.

PATIENTS

Inpatient encounters between November 2008 and February 2022 with a CIWA-Ar score greater than 0 and benzodiazepine or barbiturate administered within the first 24 hours. The primary composite outcome was patients who progressed to high-intensity care (intermediate care or ICU).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN RESULTS

Among the 8742 patients included in the study, 37.5% (n = 3280) progressed to high-intensity care. The odds ratio for the composite outcome increased above 1.0 when the CIWA-Ar score was 24. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) at this threshold were 0.12 (95% CI, 0.11-0.13), 0.95 (95% CI, 0.94-0.95), 0.58 (95% CI, 0.54-0.61), and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.63-0.65), respectively. The OR increased above 1.0 at a 24-hour lorazepam milligram equivalent dose cutoff of 15 mg. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV at this threshold were 0.16 (95% CI, 0.14-0.17), 0.96 (95% CI, 0.95-0.96), 0.68 (95% CI, 0.65-0.72), and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.64-0.66), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither CIWA-Ar scores nor medication dose cutoff points were effective measures for identifying patients with alcohol withdrawal who received high-intensity care. Research studies for examining outcomes in patients who deteriorate with AWS will require better methods for cohort identification.

How old is too old?: Matched analysis of geriatric patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective Review INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to utilize a national database to identify how age affects patient outcomes following anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). There are no established age guidelines for the geriatric population within the spine specialty, which makes patient selection challenging. Furthermore, there are conflicting studies for the risks of performing spine surgeries in the elderly.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the Mariner Claims Database was conducted on patients who underwent a single level ALIF (CPT 22558) between 2010 and 2018. Patients were separated into three groups by age: 50-64, 65-74, and 75-84 and matched with respect to gender, smoking, and comorbidity burden. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the independent effect of outpatient surgery on the postoperative outcomes after adjusting for demographic factors and pertinent comorbidities. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The study identified 8459 matched patients (3350 50-64; 3350 65-74; and 1759 75-84). Compared with patients aged 50-64, patients aged 65-74 and 75-84 had significantly increased risks of pneumonia (65-74: OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.06-2.24, p = 0.025; 75-84: OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.07-2.42, p = 0.022), sepsis (65-74: OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.36-3.76, p = 0.002; 75-84: OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.43-4.13, p = 0.001), and major complications (65-74: OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.05-1.74, p = 0.021; 75-84: OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.11-1.95, p = 0.006) (Table 2). There were no significant differences between patients aged 65-74 and 75-84 for risks of postoperative pneumonia, sepsis, and major complications (p > 0.05). There were no differences between any groups in terms of long-term outcomes such as pseudoarthrosis, implant related complications, or reoperation (p > 0.05) (Table 3).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

The study showed that those older than 65 had a significant increase in risk of pneumonia, sepsis, and major complications following ALIF. In the two cohorts above the age of 65 (65-74 and 75-84) there was no significant differences in postoperative outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Firework injuries are increasing in the United States: An analysis of the National Emergency Department Sample

BACKGROUND

Firework-related injuries cause significant morbidity to persons in the United States and globally. Prior studies have shown that hands and eyes are frequently injured, with loss of hand function and blindness being common after serious injury. Many jurisdictions in the United States have relaxed laws governing sales of consumer fireworks in recent years. Given the increased availability of consumer fireworks, we sought to determine the incidence of firework-related injuries compared with historical controls.

METHODS

Firework-related injuries were identified in the National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) using the corresponding International Classification of Disease codes for the years 2008-2017. Demographics, timing of presentation, and hospital characteristics were analyzed. Data were weighted to approximate population estimates of injury. Statistical analyses were completed using SAS. The National Electronic Surveillance System was also queried for firework-related visits to check for consistency in observed trends.

RESULTS

There were an estimated 7699 injuries attributed to fireworks in 2017 (2.37 per 100,000 population) compared with 5727 (1.88 per 100,000 population) in 2008. The majority of victims were male (74.6%), and injuries clustered in the pediatric and young adult age groups. The Midwest and South (both 38.1%) had more firework-related injuries compared with the West (15.6%) and Northeast (8.2%) regions. Most visits occurred in July (71.4%) with smaller peaks in June (6.9%) and January (6.0%). Patients were disproportionately seen in trauma centers (34.0%) and teaching hospitals (49.6%).

CONCLUSION

Emergency department visits for firework injuries are increasing in the United States. Pediatric patients and young adult males comprise the majority of victims. Injuries are clustered around the Fourth of July and New Year's holidays. Public health interventions targeted at high-risk groups may reduce the burden of injury.

Obesity and Postoperative Complications Following Ankle Arthrodesis: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

Obese patients undergoing orthopedic procedure have been reported to have higher rates of postoperative complications, but the published associations have numerous confounders. This study aims to evaluate the independent effect of obesity on postoperative complications and hospital utilization following ankle arthrodesis. A database review of a Medicare database was performed on patients less than 85 years old who underwent ankle arthrodesis between 2005 and 2014. Patient cohorts were defined using International Classification of Diseases-9 coding for body mass index (BMI)-obese (30-40 kg/m²), and morbidly obese (>40 kg/m²). Normal BMI patients were defined as those without the respect codes for obesity (30-40 kg/m²), morbidly obese (>40 kg/m²), or underweight (<19 kg/m²). All groups were propensity score matched by demographics and comorbidities. Outcomes of interest included 90-day major and minor medical complications, and hospital burden. Morbid obesity was associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (4.4% vs 2.4%, OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.37-2.74, p < .001), urinary tract infection (5.2% vs 3.2%, OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.21-2.25, p = .001), readmission (13.6% vs 10.8%, OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10-1.61, p = .003), and overall minor complications (16.0% vs 11.8%, OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.19-1.74, p < .001) compared to normal BMI patients, and an increased risk for acute kidney injury (4.4% vs 1.9%, OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.32-3.97, p = .003) compared to obese patients. Obesity was not associated with increased medical complications (p > .05). While morbid obesity was associated with an increase in the postoperative complications, obesity was not associated with any increase in postoperative complications following ankle arthrodesis.

Early Failures After Lumbar Discectomy Surgery: An Analysis of 62 690 Patients

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the rate of early failures (readmission or reoperation for new or recurrent pain/neurological symptoms) within 30 days after lumbar discectomy and identify associated risk factors.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients undergoing lumbar discectomy in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database between 2013 and 2017. Rates of readmission for new or recurrent symptoms or reoperation for revision discectomy or fusion within 30 days postoperatively were measured and correlated with risk factors.

RESULTS

In total 62 690 patients were identified; overall rate of readmission within 30 days was 3.3%, including 1.2% for pain or neurological symptoms. Populations at increased risk of readmission were those with 3 or more levels of treatment (2.0%, odds ratio [OR] 2.8%, P < .01), age >70 years (1.8%, OR 1.6, P < .01), class 3 obesity (1.5%, OR 1.4, P = .04), and female gender (1.4%, OR 1.2, P = .02). The overall rate of reoperation within 30 days was 2.2%, including 1.2% for revision decompression or lumbar fusion surgery. Populations at increased risk of reoperation were revision discectomies (1.4%, OR 1.7, P < .01) and females (1.1%, OR 1.4, P < 0.01). Extraforaminal discectomies were associated with lower rates of readmission (0.7%, OR 0.6, P = 0.02) and reoperation (0.4%, OR 0.4, P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Early failures after lumbar discectomy surgery are rare. However, certain subpopulations are associated with increased rates of early failure: obesity, multilevel surgery, females, and revision discectomies.

The Effect of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Selective COX-2 Inhibitors on Bone Healing

A recently published study, "Risk of Nonunion With Nonselective NSAIDs, COX-2 Inhibitors, and Opioids" by George et al (J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020;102:1230-1238), assesses whether the use of nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) enzyme inhibitors, or opioids was associated with a risk of long bone fracture nonunion in Optum's deidentified private health database. This review analyzes the study, including strengths, weaknesses, and areas for future research. The study found an association between COX-2 inhibitor and opioid use with fracture nonunion but not with nonselective NSAID use. Although the literature on this topic is varied, these results are at least partially aligned with several animal studies that show COX-2 inhibitors to be associated with fracture nonunion. The George et al study design has several important limitations, indicating that further research is needed on this topic.

Washington's liquor license system and alcohol-related adverse health outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In June 2012, Washington state (USA) implemented Initiative 1183, privatizing liquor sales. As a result, off-premises outlets increased from 330 to over 1400 and trading hours lengthened. Increased availability of liquor may lead to increased consumption. This study examines the impact of Initiative 1183 on alcohol-related adverse health outcomes, measured by inpatient hospitalizations for alcohol-related disorders and accidental injuries. It further assesses heterogeneity by urbanicity, because outlets increased most in metropolitan-urban areas.

DESIGN

County-by-quarter difference-in-difference linear regression models, estimated statewide and within metropolitan/rural strata.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Data are from AHRQ Healthcare Cost and Utilization State Inpatient Database 2010-2014 and HHS Area Health Resource File 2010-2014. Changes in the rates of hospitalizations in the 2.5 years following Initiative 1183 in Washington (n = 39 counties) are compared with changes in Oregon (n = 36 counties).

MEASUREMENTS

County rates of hospitalizations per 1000 residents, including all records with any-listed ICD-9 Clinical Classification Software code denoting an alcohol-related disorder, and all records with any-listed external cause of injury code denoting an accidental injury.

FINDINGS

The increase in the rate of accidental injury hospitalizations in Washington's metropolitan-urban counties was on average 0.289 hospitalizations per 1000 county residents per quarter greater than the simultaneous increase observed in Oregon (P = 0.017). This result was robust to alternative specifications using a propensity score matched sample and synthetic control methods with data from other comparison states. The evidence did not suggest that Initiative 1183 was associated with differential changes in the rate of hospitalizations for alcohol-related disorders in metropolitan-urban (P = 0.941), non-metropolitan-urban (P = 0.162), or rural counties (P = 0.876).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing Washington's Initiative 1183 (privatizing liquor sales) appears to have been associated with a significant increase in the rate of accidental injury hospitalizations in urban counties in that state but does not appear to be significantly associated with changes in the rate of hospitalizations specifically for alcohol-related disorders within 2.5 years.

United States ED Visits by Adult Women for Nonfatal Intimate Partner Strangulation, 2006 to 2014: Prevalence and Associated Characteristics

INTRODUCTION

Nonfatal intimate partner strangulation poses significant acute and long-term morbidity risks and also heightens women's risk for future femicide. The lifetime prevalence of nonfatal intimate partner strangulation has been estimated to be approximately 10%, or 11 million women, in the general United States population. Given the potential for significant health risks and serious consequences of strangulation, this study adds to the limited literature by estimating prevalence and describing the associated characteristics of strangulation-related visits among United States ED visits by adult women after intimate partner violence.

METHODS

Prevalence estimation as well as simple and multivariable logistic regression analyses were completed using data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample spanning the years 2006 to 2014.

RESULTS

The prevalence of strangulation codes was estimated at 1.2% of all intimate partner violence visits. Adjusting for visits, hospital characteristics, and visit year, higher odds of strangulation were noted in younger women, metropolitan hospitals, level I/II trauma centers, and non-Northeast regions. Increases in strangulation events among intimate partner violence-related visits in recent years were also observed.

DISCUSSION

A relatively low prevalence may reflect an underestimate of true nonfatal intimate partner strangulation visits owing to coding or a very low rate of ED visits for this issue. Higher odds of strangulation among intimate partner violence visits by women in more recent years may be due to increased recognition and documentation by frontline clinicians and coding teams. Continued research is needed to further inform clinical, postcare, and social policy efforts.

Delirium and Functional Recovery in Patients Discharged to Skilled Nursing Facilities After Hospitalization for Heart Failure

IMPORTANCE

A substantial number of patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) after heart failure (HF) hospitalization experience regression in function or do not improve. Delirium is one of few modifiable risk factors in this patient population. Therefore, understanding the role of delirium in functional recovery may be useful for improving outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association of delirium with 30-day functional improvement in patients discharged to SNFs after HF hospitalization.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study included patients hospitalized for HF in 129 US Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals who were discharged to SNFs from October 1, 2010, to September 30, 2015. Data were analyzed from June 14 to December 18, 2020.

EXPOSURES

Delirium, as determined by the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Confusion Assessment Method, with dementia as a covariate, determined via International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) coding.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The difference between admission and 30-day MDS 3.0 Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores.

RESULTS

A total of 20 495 patients (mean [SD] age, 78 [10.3] years; 78.9% White; and 97% male) were included in the analysis. Of the total sample, 882 patients (4.3%) had delirium on an SNF admission. The mean (SD) baseline ADL score on admission to SNF was significantly worse among patients with delirium than without (18.3 [4.7] vs 16.1 [5.2]; P < .001; d = 0.44.). On the 30-day repeated assessment, mean (SD) function (ADL scores) improved for both patients with delirium (0.6 [2.9]) and without delirium (1.8 [3.6]) (P < .001; d = -0.38). In the multivariate adjusted model, delirium was associated with statistically significant lower ADL improvement (difference in ADL score, -1.07; 95% CI, -1.31 to -0.83; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this retrospective cohort study, patients with HF discharged to SNFs with delirium were less likely to show improvement in function compared with patients without delirium. Findings suggest a potential need to reexamine how and when health care professionals assess delirium in HF patients throughout their hospitalization and SNF course. Identifying and treating delirium for HF patients earlier in their care trajectory may play an important role in improving care and long-term functional outcomes in this population. Future research is warranted to further investigate the association between delirium and functional recovery for HF and other patient populations.

Use of Higher-strength Opioids has a Dose-Dependent Association With Reoperations After Lumbar Decompression and Interbody Fusion Surgery

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify an association between preoperative opioid use and reoperations rates.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Chronic opioid use is a public health crisis in the United States and has been linked to worse outcomes after lumbar spine surgery. However, no studies have identified an association between preoperative opioid use and reoperations rates.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using patients from one private insurance database who underwent primary lumbar decompression/discectomy (LDD) or posterior/transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF/TLIF). Preoperative use of five specific opioid medications (tramadol, hydromorphone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and extended-release oxycodone) was categorized as acute (within 3 months), subacute (acute use and use between 3 and 6 months), or chronic (subacute use and use before 6 months). Multivariate regression, controlling for multilevel surgery, age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index, was used to determine the association of each medication on reoperations within 5 years.

RESULTS

A total of 11,551 patients undergoing LDD and 3291 patients undergoing PLIF/TLIF without previous lumbar spine surgery were identified. In the LDD group, opioid-naïve patients had a 5-year reoperation rate of 2.8%, compared with 25.0% and 8.0 with chronic preoperative use of hydromorphone and oxycodone, respectively. In multivariate analysis, any preoperative use of oxycodone was associated with increased reoperations (odds ratios [OR] = 1.4, 2.0, and 2.3, for acute, subacute, and chronic use; P < 0.01). Chronic use of hydromorphone was also associated with increased reoperations (OR = 7.5, P < 0.01).In the PLIF/TLIF group, opioid-naïve patients had a 5-year reoperation rate of 11.3%, compared with 66.7% and 16.8% with chronic preoperative use of hydromorphone and oxycodone, respectively. In multivariate analysis, any preoperative use of hydromorphone was associated with increased reoperations (OR = 2.9, 4.0, and 14.0, for acute, subacute, and chronic use; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative use of the higher-potency opioid medications is associated with increased reoperations after LDD and PLIF/TLIF in a dose-dependent manner. Surgeons should use this data for preoperative opioid cessation counseling and individualized risk stratification.Level of Evidence: 3.

Risk factor analysis of surgery-related complications in primary cervical spine surgery for degenerative diseases using a surgeon-maintained database

AIMS

This study, using a surgeon-maintained database, aimed to explore the risk factors for surgery-related complications in patients undergoing primary cervical spine surgery for degenerative diseases.

METHODS

We studied 5,015 patients with degenerative cervical diseases who underwent primary cervical spine surgery from 2012 to 2018. We investigated the effects of diseases, surgical procedures, and patient demographics on surgery-related complications. As subcategories, the presence of cervical kyphosis ≥ 10°, the presence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with a canal-occupying ratio ≥ 50%, and foraminotomy were selected. The surgery-related complications examined were postoperative upper limb palsy (ULP) with a manual muscle test (MMT) grade of 0 to 2 or a reduction of two grade or more in the MMT, neurological deficit except ULP, dural tear, dural leakage, surgical-site infection (SSI), and postoperative haematoma. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The significant risk factors (p < 0.050) for ULP were OPLL (odds ratio (OR) 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29 to 2.75), foraminotomy (OR 5.38, 95% CI 3.28 to 8.82), old age (per ten years, OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.36), anterior spinal fusion (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.53 to 5.34), and the number of operated levels (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.40). OPLL was also a risk factor for neurological deficit except ULP (OR 5.84, 95% CI 2.80 to 12.8), dural tear (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.11 to 3.39), and dural leakage (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.48 to 6.68). Among OPLL patients, dural tear and dural leakage were frequently observed in those with a canal-occupying ratio ≥ 50%. Cervical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was a risk factor for SSI (OR 10.1, 95% CI 2.66 to 38.4).

CONCLUSION

The high risk of ULP, neurological deficit except ULP, dural tear, and dural leak should be acknowledged by clinicians and OPLL patients, especially in those patients with a canal-occupying ratio ≥ 50%. Foraminotomy and RA were dominant risk factors for ULP and SSI, respectively. An awareness of these risks may help surgeons to avoid surgery-related complications in these conditions. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):157-163.

Validated methods for identifying individuals with obesity in health care administrative databases: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Health care administrative databases are increasingly used for health studies and public health surveillance. Cases of individuals with obesity are selected using case-identification methods. However, the validity of these methods is fragmentary and particularly challenging for obesity case identification.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this systematic review are to (1) determine the case-identification methods used to identify individuals with obesity in health care administrative databases and (2) to summarize the validity of these case-identification methods when compared with a reference standard.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in six bibliographic databases for the period January 1980 to June 2019 for all studies evaluating obesity case-identification methods compared with a reference standard.

RESULTS

Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes were the only case-identification method utilized in selected articles. The performance of obesity-identification methods varied widely across studies, with positive predictive value ranging from 19% to 100% while sensitivity ranged from 3% to 92%. The sensitivity of these methods was usually low while the specificity was higher.

CONCLUSION

When obesity is reported in health care administrative databases, it is usually correctly reported; however, obesity tends to be highly underreported in databases. Therefore, case-identification methods to monitor the prevalence and incidence of obesity within health care administrative databases are not reliable. In contrast, the use of these methods remains relevant for the selection of individuals with obesity for cohort studies, particularly when identifying cohorts of individuals with severe obesity or cohorts where obesity is associated with comorbidities.

Preoperative laboratory testing for total hip arthroplasty: Unnecessary tests or a helpful prognosticator

BACKGROUND

The last decade has seen increasing initiatives to improve health care delivery while decreasing financial expenditures, as particularly exemplified by the implementation of bundled payments for lower extremity arthroplasty, which hold the providers responsible for the both the quality and cost of these procedures. In this context, the utility of routine preoperative laboratory testing is unknown. The present study characterizes the associations, if any, between preoperative sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine values and the occurrence of general health adverse outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODS

Patients undergoing primary THA were identified in the 2011-2015 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Cases with traumatic, oncologic, or infectious indications were excluded. Preoperative levels of sodium, BUN, and creatinine were tested for associations with perioperative adverse events and adverse hospital metrics using multivariate regressions that adjusted for patient baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 92,093 patients were included, of which 5.25% had an abnormal preoperative sodium level, 24.20% had an abnormal preoperative BUN level, and 11.95% had an abnormal preoperative creatinine level. Abnormal preoperative sodium levels (odds ratios: 1.23-1.50, p < 0.007) and creatinine levels (odds ratios: 1.27-1.55, p < 0.007) were associated with the occurrence of all studied adverse outcomes and abnormal preoperative BUN levels (odds ratios: 1.15-1.52, p < 0.007) were associated with the occurrence of all adverse outcomes except for hospital readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal preoperative laboratory testing is significantly associated with adverse outcomes following THA, supporting the added value of laboratory evaluation of patients before elective arthroplasty procedures.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical, Level III.

Outcomes Following Revision Joint Arthroplasty Among Hemodialysis-Dependent Patients

BACKGROUND

Hemodialysis (HD) dependence is known to impact the integrity of bone and has long been associated with metabolic bone disease and other adverse events postoperatively. The aim of this study is to analyze postoperative outcomes following revision hip and knee arthroplasty in hemodialysis-dependent (HDD) patients and to characterize the common indications for revision procedures among this patient population.

METHODS

A total of 1779 HDD patients who underwent a revision joint arthroplasty (930 revision total knee arthroplasty [TKA] and 849 revision total hip arthroplasty [THA]) between 2005 and 2014 were identified from a retrospective database review. Our resulting study groups of revision TKA and THA HDD patients were compared to their respective matched control groups for hospital length of stay (LOS), 90-day mean total cost, hospital readmission, and other major medical and surgical complications.

RESULTS

HD was significantly associated with increased LOS (7.7 ± 8.3 vs 4.8 ± 4.5; P < .001), mean 90-day total cost ($47,478 ± $33,413 vs $24,286 ± $21,472; P < .001), hospital readmission (odds ratio [OR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-2.58; P < .001), septicemia (OR, 3.18; 95% CI, 2.70-3.74; P < .001), postoperative infection (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.50-1.98; P < .001), and mortality (OR, 3.99; 95% CI, 3.12-5.06; P < .001) following revision TKA. Among revision THA patients, HD was associated with increased LOS (9.4 ± 9.5 vs 5.7 ± 5.7; P < .001), mean 90-day total cost ($40,182 ± $27,082 vs $26,519 ± $22,856; P < .001), hospital readmission (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 2.02-2.68; P < .001), septicemia (OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 3.05-4.27; P < .001), and mortality (OR, 3.55; 95% CI, 2.86-4.37; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

HD remains a significant risk factor for increased LOS, mean total cost, hospital readmission, septicemia, and mortality following revision joint arthroplasty.

Risk factors for in-hospital mortality after spine surgery: a matched case-control study using a multicenter database

BACKGROUND/CONTEXT

It is yet unclear what preoperative and intraoperative factors affect mortality after spine surgery.

PURPOSE

To identify the preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for in-hospital mortality after spine surgery using a matched case-control study based on a multicenter database.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

A retrospective matched case-control study based on a registry of prospectively collected multicenter data.

PATIENT SAMPLE

We identified 25 patients who died in the hospital (the mortality group) from the 26,604 patients in the database who underwent spine surgery at our 27 affiliated institutions between 2012 and 2018. An age-, sex-, spinal disease-, and surgical procedure-matched control group of patients (n=100, 4:1 ratio with the mortality group) was selected from the same database.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Data relating to comorbidities, preoperative blood tests, operative factors, and perioperative complications.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all the medical records of each patient in the two groups to nullify the effects of overt risk factors such as age, sex, diseases, and surgical procedures. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality were initially evaluated by univariate analysis. Then, multivariate logistic regression models were generated to analyze independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 0.09% (25/26,604). Mortality was lowest in patients with degenerative cervical (0.04%, 2/5,027) or lumbar disease (0.03%, 5/15,630). In contrast, mortality was highest in patients with dialysis-related spondyloarthropathy (3.0%, 3/99), patients with infectious spondylodiscitis (1.5%, 6/401), and patients with metastatic spinal tumors (0.9%, 3/334). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that massive intraoperative hemorrhage (>2 L) (odds ratio [OR], 28.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.27-349), preoperative renal comorbidity (OR, 4.33; 95% CI, 1.38-13.6), and elevated preoperative aspartate aminotransferase levels (OR, 1.51 per 10 units; 95% CI, 1.04-2.20) were risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Spine surgery for patients with dialysis-dependency, infectious diseases or metastatic tumors had much more potential of in-hospital mortality compared with those for patients with degenerative diseases. Massive intraoperative hemorrhage and preoperative renal and liver comorbidities were identified as risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients who underwent spine surgery.

Revision Joint Arthroplasty and Renal Transplant: A Matched Control Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

There is little literature concerning clinical outcomes following revision joint arthroplasty in solid organ transplant recipients. The aims of this study are to (1) analyze postoperative outcomes and mortality following revision hip and knee arthroplasty in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) compared to non-RTRs and (2) characterize common indications and types of revision procedures among RTRs.

METHODS

A retrospective Medicare database review identified 1020 RTRs who underwent revision joint arthroplasty (359 revision total knee arthroplasty [TKA] and 661 revision total hip arthroplasty [THA]) from 2005 to 2014. RTRs were compared to their respective matched control groups of nontransplant revision arthroplasty patients for hospital length of stay, readmission, major medical complications, infections, septicemia, and mortality following revision.

RESULTS

Renal transplantation was significantly associated with increased length of stay (6.12 ± 7.86 vs 4.33 ± 4.29, P < .001), septicemia (odds ratio [OR], 2.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83-3.46; P < .001), and 1-year mortality (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.51-4.53; P < .001) following revision TKA. Among revision THA patients, RTR status was associated with increased hospital readmission (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.03-1.47; P = .023), septicemia (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.41-2.34; P < .001), and 1-year mortality (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.88-3.66; P < .001). The most frequent primary diagnoses associated with revision TKA and THA among RTRs were mechanical complications of prosthetic implant.

CONCLUSION

Prior renal transplantation among revision joint arthroplasty patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality when compared to nontransplant recipients.

Recent Preoperative Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection Is an Independent Risk Factor for Incidental Durotomy During Lumbar Discectomy

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI) and incidental durotomy (ID) in patients with a diagnosis of disc herniation undergoing a primary discectomy.

METHODS

A Medicare patient database was queried for patients between the ages of 65 and 85 years who underwent a primary lumbar discectomy for a diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation or degeneration from 2008 to 2014. Our main cohort of 64 849 patients was then divided into 2 groups: patients who experienced a dural tear (N = 2369) and our matched (age, gender, and history of diabetes) control cohort of patients who did not (N = 62 480). All patients who had a history of LESI were further identified and stratified into 4 subgroups by duration between LESI and discectomy (<3 months, 3-6 months, 6 months to 1 year, and overall), and a comparison of the relative incidence of ID was made among these subgroups. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the relationship between LESI and ID.

RESULTS

Overall incidence of ID was 3.7%. There was a significant difference in incidence of LESI (27.1% vs 35.0%, P < .001) between our control and ID groups. An adjusted odds ratio (OR) showed that prior LESI within 3 to 6 months (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.20-1.81, P < .001) and within less than 3 months (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.24-1.72, P < .001) of surgery were significantly associated with ID.

CONCLUSION

LESI increases the risk of ID in patients who undergo a subsequent lumbar discectomy within 6 months of injection.

The prevalence of unhealthy alcohol and drug use among inpatients in a general hospital

Background: Unhealthy substance use is a growing public health issue. Intersections with the health care system offer an opportunity for intervention; however, recent estimates of prevalence for unhealthy substance use among all types of hospital inpatients are unknown. Methods: Universal screening for unhealthy alcohol or drug use was implemented across a 999-bed general hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2015. Nurses completed alcohol screening using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C) with a cutoff of ≥5 for moderate risk and ≥8 for high risk and drug screening using the single-item screening question with ≥1 episode of use considered positive. Results: Out of 35,288 unique inpatients, screens were completed on 21,519. There were 3,451 positive screens (16% of all completed screens), including 1,291 (6%) moderate risk and 1,111 (5%) high risk screens for alcohol and 1,657 (8%) positive screens for drug use. Among screens that were positive for moderate- or high-risk alcohol use, 221 (17%) and 297 (27%), respectively, were concurrently positive for drug use. The majority (61%) of patients with unhealthy alcohol use was on the medical services. Men, those who were white or Hispanic, middle-aged, single, unemployed, or screened positive for drug use were more likely to screen positive for high-risk alcohol use. Those who were younger, single, worked less than full time, or screened high risk for alcohol were more likely to screen positive for drug use. Discordance between diagnosis coding and screening results was noted: 29% of high-risk alcohol use screens had no alcohol diagnosis coding associated with that admission, and 51% of patients with a DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) diagnosis code of alcohol dependence had AUDIT-C scores of <8. Conclusions: Across a general hospital, 16% of patients screened positive for unhealthy substance use, with the highest volume on medical floors. Nursing-led screening may offer an opportunity to identify and engage patients with unhealthy substance use during hospitalization.

Whose Benchmark Is Right? Validating Venous Thromboembolism Events Between Trauma Registries and Hospital Administrative Databases

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) events are tracked in trauma registries and by administrative data sets. Both databases are used to assess outcomes, despite having varying processes for data capture.

STUDY DESIGN

This study was performed at an urban, university-based, Level I trauma center from 2004 to 2014. Retrospective review of the trauma registry and the hospital's administrative database was performed querying for all VTEs. Each VTE was then validated through manual chart review. Confirmed events were those with radiographic evidence of VTE by ultrasound, CT, and/or ventilation-perfusion scan. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated and compared between databases.

RESULTS

There were 19,353 trauma patients admitted during the study period; 656 VTEs were identified in the registry and 890 were identified via administrative data; 527 potential events were identified by both databases; 129 events were only in registry; and 363 were only found in the administrative database. We confirmed 636 of 656 events in registry (positive predictive value, 97%; 95% CI, 95.6% to 98.3%) vs 815 of 890 events in administrative data (positive predictive value, 91.6%; 95% CI, 89.75% to 93.4%; p < 0.001). Sensitivity was higher for administrative (87.2% vs 68.0%; p < 0.001), as 299 confirmed VTE events were not in the registry. Differences between the 2 databases were diminished when the analysis excluded untreated events and those present on admission. Twenty-three percent of validated deep vein thrombosis events in the registry were upper extremity events.

CONCLUSIONS

The trauma registry showed higher specificity and lower sensitivity compared with administrative data. The low false-positive rate of the trauma registry supports its validity in VTE outcomes research. Additional investigation is needed to evaluate the relevance of the variable sensitivity, likely due to definitional differences. Supplementation of trauma registry data with administrative data can strengthen its completeness.

Longitudinal Drinking Patterns and Their Clinical Correlates in Million Veteran Program Participants

BACKGROUND

A variety of measures have been developed to screen for hazardous or harmful drinking. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) is one of the screening measures recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Annual administration of the AUDIT-C to all primary care patients is required by the U.S. Veterans Affairs Health System. The availability of data from the repeated administration of this instrument over time in a large patient population provides an opportunity to evaluate the utility of the AUDIT-C for identifying distinct drinking groups.

METHODS

Using data from the Million Veteran Program cohort, we modeled group-based drinking trajectories using 2,833,189 AUDIT-C scores from 495,178 Veterans across an average 6-year time period. We also calculated patients' age-adjusted mean AUDIT-C scores to compare to the drinking trajectories. Finally, we extracted data on selected clinical diagnoses from the electronic health record and assessed their associations with the drinking trajectories.

RESULTS

Of the trajectory models, the 4-group model demonstrated the best fit to the data. AUDIT-C trajectories were highly correlated with the age-adjusted mean AUDIT-C scores (rs = 0.94). Those with an alcohol use disorder diagnosis had 10 times the odds of being in the highest trajectory group (consistently hazardous/harmful) compared to the lowest drinking trajectory group (infrequent). Those with hepatitis C, posttraumatic stress disorder, liver cirrhosis, and delirium had 10, 7, 21, and 34%, respectively, higher odds of being classified in the highest drinking trajectory group versus the lowest drinking trajectory group.

CONCLUSIONS

Trajectories and age-adjusted mean scores are potentially useful approaches to optimize the information provided by the AUDIT-C. In contrast to trajectories, age-adjusted mean AUDIT-C scores also have clinical relevance for real-time identification of individuals for whom an intervention may be warranted.

Fragility Fracture Risk in Elderly Patients With Cervical Myelopathy

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and compare the incidences of fragility fractures amongst three elderly populations: the general population, patients with surgically treated cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), and patients with CSM not surgically treated.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

CSM is a common disease in the elderly. Progression of myelopathic symptoms, including gait imbalance, can be a source of morbidity as it can lead to increased falls.

METHODS

Records of elderly patients with Medicare insurance from 2005 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Three mutually exclusive populations of patients were identified for analysis, including a cohort of patients with a diagnosis of CSM who were not treated with surgery; a cohort of patients with CSM who were treated with surgery; and a group of control patients who had never been treated with cervical spine surgery nor were diagnosed with CSM. Incidence of fractures of the distal radius, proximal humerus, proximal femur, and lumbar spine were assessed and compared between cohorts, adjusted by age, sex, osteoporosis, dementia, cerebrovascular disease, and Charlson Comorbidity Index.

RESULTS

A total of 891,864 patients were identified, of which 60,332 had a diagnosis of CSM and 24,439 underwent cervical spine surgery. Compared to general population controls, the 12-month adjusted odds of experiencing at least one fragility fracture were 1.59 times higher in patients with CSM who were not treated with surgery (P < 0.001). The analogous odds ratio was 1.34 (P < 0.001) at 3 years. Compared to nonsurgically treated patients with CSM, the odds of experiencing at least one fragility fracture were reduced to 0.89 in surgically treated patients (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Fragility fractures are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. CSM is associated with increased rates of fragility fractures, although surgical management of CSM may be protective against risk of fragility fracture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Dural tear is associated with an increased rate of other perioperative complications in primary lumbar spine surgery for degenerative diseases

Prospective case-control study.This study used a prospective multicenter database to investigate whether dural tear (DT) is associated with an increased rate of other perioperative complications.Few studies have had sufficient data accuracy and statistical power to evaluate the association between DT and other complications owing to a low incidence of occurrence.Between 2012 and 2017, 13,188 patients (7174 men and 6014 women) with degenerative lumbar diseases underwent primary lumbar spine surgery. The average age was 64.8 years for men and 68.7 years for women. DT was defined as a tear that was detected intraoperatively. Other investigated intraoperative surgery-related complications were massive hemorrhage (>2 L of blood loss), nerve injury, screw malposition, cage/graft dislocation, surgery performed at the wrong site, and vascular injury. The examined postoperative surgery-related complications were dural leak, surgical-site infection (SSI), postoperative neurological deficit, postoperative hematoma, wound dehiscence, screw/rod failure, and cage/graft failure. Information related to perioperative systemic complications was also collected for cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, renal and urological diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, postoperative delirium, and sepsis.DTs occurred in 451/13,188 patients (3.4%, the DT group). In the DT group, dural leak was observed in 88 patients. After controlling for the potentially confounding variables of age, sex, primary disease, and type of procedure, the surgery-related complications that were more likely to occur in the DT group than in the non-DT group were SSI (odds ratio [OR] 2.68) and postoperative neurological deficit (OR 3.27). As for perioperative systemic complications, the incidence of postoperative delirium (OR 3.21) was significantly high in the DT group.This study demonstrated that DT was associated with higher incidences of postoperative SSI, postoperative neurological deficit, and postoperative delirium, in addition to directly DT-related dural leak.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Postoperative Infection and Revision Surgery in Elderly Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the incidence and analyze the risk of postoperative complications amongst elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing anterior cervical fusion.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Previous studies have reported elevated risks of postoperative complications for patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing orthopedic procedures. However, little is known about the risk of postoperative complications in rheumatoid arthritis patients after spine surgery.

METHODS

A commercially available database was queried for all Medicare patients 65 years of age and older undergoing one- or two-level primary anterior cervical fusion surgeries from 2005 to 2013. Complications, hospitalization costs, and length of stay were queried. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratio for each complication adjusted for age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index.

RESULTS

A total of 6067 patients with a history of rheumatoid arthritis and 113,187 controls were identified. Significantly higher incidences of major medical complications (7.5% vs. 5.9%, P < 0.001), postoperative infections (2.6% vs. 1.5%, P < 0.001), and revision surgery (1.1% vs. 0.6%, P < 0.001) were observed amongst the rheumatoid arthritis cohort. Significantly greater average cost of hospitalization ($17,622 vs. $12,489, P < 0.001) and average length of stay (3.13 vs. 2.08 days, P < 0.001) were also observed.

CONCLUSION

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing anterior cervical fusion face increased risks of postoperative infection and revision surgery compared to normal controls. This information is valuable for preoperative counseling and risk stratification.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Mortality, risk factors and causes of death in Swedish patients with open tibial fractures - a nationwide study of 3, 777 patients

BACKGROUND

Open tibial fractures are serious, complicated injuries. Previous studies suggested an increased risk of death, however, this has not been studied in large population-based settings. We aimed to analyze mortality including causes of death in all patients with open tibial fractures in Sweden. Moreover, we wanted to compare mortality rates with the Swedish population and determine whether treatment-related or demographic variables were independently associated with death.

METHOD

We searched the Swedish National Hospital Discharge Register for all patients with open tibial fracture between 1998 and 2010. We collected the following variables: age, gender, length of stay, mechanism of injury and treatment rendered. We then cross-referenced the Swedish Cause of Death Register to determine the cause of death, if applicable. We compared mortality in the study population with population-based mortality data from Statistics Sweden and determined whether variables were independently associated with death using regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 3777 open tibial fractures, 425 (11.3%) patients died. The most common causes of death for elderly patients were cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Patients aged 15-39 years succumbed to external causes (accidents, suicides or poisoning). Increasing age (OR 25.7 (95% CI 11.8-64.8) p < 0.001), length of hospital stay (HR 1.01, (95% CI 1.01-1.02,) p < 0.001), limb amputation (OR 4.8 (95% CI 1.86-11.1) p < 0.001) and cause of the accident were independently associated with an increased mortality.

CONCLUSION

Patients with open tibial fractures have an increased risk of death compared with the general population in all age- and gender-groups. External causes of death are over-represented and indicate a subgroup with a risky behaviour among younger males. Elderly patients have an increased risk of dying comparable to hip fracture patients. They are at risk for cardiovascular and respiratory failure and should be treated with urgency, emphasizing the need for specialized geriatric trauma units.

Discriminative Ability for Adverse Outcomes After Surgical Management of Hip Fractures: A Comparison of the Charlson Comorbidity Index, Elixhauser Comorbidity Measure, and Modified Frailty Index

OBJECTIVES

The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), Elixhauser comorbidity measure (ECM), and modified frailty index (mFI) have been associated with mortality after hip fracture. The present study compares the clinically informative discriminative ability of CCI, ECM, and mFI, as well as demographic characteristics for predicting in-hospital adverse outcomes after surgical management of hip fractures.

METHODS

Patients undergoing hip fracture surgery were selected from the 2013 National Inpatient Sample. The discriminative ability of CCI, ECM, and mFI, as well as demographic factors for adverse outcomes were assessed using the area under the curve analysis from receiver operating characteristic curves. Outcomes included the occurrence of any adverse event, death, severe adverse events, minor adverse events, and extended hospital stay.

RESULTS

In total, 49,738 patients were included (mean age: 82 years). In comparison with CCI and mFI, ECM had the significantly largest discriminative ability for the occurrence of all outcomes. Among demographic factors, age had the sole or shared the significantly largest discriminative ability for all adverse outcomes except extended hospital stay. The best performing comorbidity index (ECM) outperformed the best performing demographic factor (age) for all outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Among both comorbidity indices and demographic factors, the ECM had the best overall discriminative ability for adverse outcomes after surgical management of hip fractures. The use of this index in correctly identifying patients at risk for postoperative complications may help set appropriate patient expectations, assist in optimizing prophylaxis regimens for medical management, and adjust reimbursements. More widespread use of this measure for hip fracture studies may be appropriately considered.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Mortality from Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Among Hospitalized Patients in the USA

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication of cirrhosis and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this study, we examined the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with mortality in hospitalized patients presenting with SBP.

METHODS

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for all hospitalizations involving SBP from 2006 to 2014 using the International Classification of Disease-9-CM Code. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between SBP mortality and factors such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, and concomitant medical conditions at presentation (e.g., variceal hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy, acute renal failure, coagulopathy, and other infections including pneumonia). The lengths of stay (LOS) and total charges were also examined.

RESULTS

From 2006 to 2014, there were 88,167 SBP hospitalizations with 29,963 deaths (17.6% in-hospital mortality). The mean age of patients who died in the hospital was higher (58.2 years vs. 55.8, p < 0.01) than those who survived the admission. Acute alcoholic hepatitis was noted among a higher proportion of patients who died (7.0 vs. 5.9%, p < 0.01), who were also likely to have more medical comorbidities. In multivariable analysis, older age, female gender, hepatic encephalopathy, coagulopathy, variceal hemorrhage, sepsis, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury were associated with increased in-hospital mortality. This group also had longer LOS (11.6 days vs. 9.1, p < 0.01) and higher total charges ($138,273 vs. $73,533, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

SBP is associated with significant in-hospital mortality, especially in patients with concurrent risk factors. SBP remains a significant burden to the healthcare system.

Perioperative Complications Associated With Posterolateral Spine Fusions: A Study of Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective database review.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of complications in patients treated with one to two-level, three to seven-level, and more than eight level fusions.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Elderly patients constitute a rapidly growing demographic with an increasing need for spinal procedures. Complication rates for spinal surgery in elderly patients range from 37% to 80% with major complications occurring in 12% to 21% of patients.

METHODS

The PearlDiver database (2005-2012) was utilized to compare perioperative complication rates in patients aged 65 years and older undergoing posterolateral fusion of one to two (n = 90,527); three to seven (n = 23,827), and more than eight (n = 2758) thoracolumbar levels. Cohorts were matched by demographics and comorbidities. Ninety-day medical and surgical complication and mortality rates were determined.

RESULTS

In the full, unmatched cohort, the major complication rate was 15.9%, with matched cohorts of one to two, three to seven, and eight-level fusions associated with major complication rates of 12.5%, 20.5%, and 35.4%, respectively. Patients treated with 8+ level fusions had 3.8 and 2.1 times greater odds of developing a major complication than patients treated with 1 to 2 and 3 to 7-level fusions, respectively (P < 0.0001). Patients treated with more than eight-level fusions had 3.9 and 10.8 times increased odds of experiencing mortality than those treated with three to seven-level and one to two-level fusions, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients treated with spine fusions spanning more than eight levels experience significantly increased complication rates when compared with patients treated with fusions of shorter length.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Discriminative Ability of Elixhauser's Comorbidity Measure is Superior to Other Comorbidity Scores for Inpatient Adverse Outcomes After Total Hip Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Identifying patients at highest risk for a complex perioperative course following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is more important than ever in order to educate patients, optimize outcomes, and to minimize cost and length of stay. There are no known studies comparing the clinically relevant discriminative ability of 3 commonly used comorbidity indices for adverse outcomes following THA: Elixhauser Comorbidity Measure (ECM), the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and the modified Frailty Index (mFI).

METHODS

Patients undergoing THA were extracted from the 2013 National Inpatient Sample. The discriminative ability of ECM, CCI, and mFI, as well as the demographic factors age, body mass index, and gender for the occurrence of index admission Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services procedure-specific complication measures, extended length of hospital stay, and discharge to a facility were assessed using the area under the curve analysis from receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

ECM outperformed CCI and mFI for the occurrence of all 5 adverse outcomes. Age outperformed gender and obesity for the occurrence of all 5 adverse outcomes. ECM (the best performing comorbidity index) outperformed age (the best performing demographic factor) in discriminative ability for the occurrence of 3 of 5 adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The less commonly used ECM outperformed the more often utilized CCI and newer mFI as well as demographic factors in correctly preoperatively identifying patients' probabilities of experiencing an adverse outcome suggesting that wider adoption of ECM should be considered in both identifying likelihoods of adverse patient outcomes and for research purposes in future studies.

Coronary artery calcification predicts cardiovascular complications after sepsis

PURPOSE

Sepsis is a highly prevalent and fatal condition, with reported cardiovascular event rates as high as 25-30% at 1year. Risk stratification in septic patients has been extremely limited.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

267 septic patients with detectable troponin levels, APACHE II scores, and CT scans of the chest or abdomen were assessed. Patients with a recent cardiac intervention were excluded. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) was identified as present or absent on body CT scans. Cardiovascular death, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or PCI at 1year was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients with CAC were older, predominantly male with more risk factors for coronary disease, but similar peak troponin levels and APACHE II scores. In a multivariate analysis, CAC was predictive of the primary outcome (OR 6.827; 95% CI 1.336-54.686; p=0.037). Patients with no CAC, history of CHF or CKD were at low risk (<1%) for cardiovascular complications at 1year even at very high troponin levels (<8.0ng/dL).

CONCLUSION

CAC risk stratifies septic patients for cardiovascular complications better than traditional risk factors and can be identified on body CT scans. This novel, risk stratifying framework built on CAC can help guide individualized management of septic patients.

Comparison of ICD-9 Codes for Depression and Alcohol Misuse to Survey Instruments Suggests These Codes Should Be Used with Caution

BACKGROUND

Research suggests depression and alcohol misuse are highly prevalent among chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, which is of clinical concern.

AIMS

To compare ICD-9 codes for depression and alcohol misuse to validated survey instruments.

METHODS

Among CHC patients, we assessed how well electronic ICD-9 codes for depression and alcohol misuse predicted these disorders using validated instruments.

RESULTS

Of 4874 patients surveyed, 56% were male and 52% had a history of injection drug use. Based on the PHQ-8, the prevalence of depression was 30% compared to 14% based on ICD-9 codes within 12 months of survey, 37% from ICD-9 codes any time before or within 12 months after survey, and 48% from ICD-9 codes any time before or within 24 months after survey. ICD-9 codes predicting PHQ-8 depression had a sensitivity ranging from 59 to 88% and a specificity ranging from 33 to 65%. Based on the AUDIT-C, the prevalence of alcohol misuse was 21% compared to 3-23% using ICD-9 codes. The sensitivity of ICD-9 codes to predict AUDIT-C score ranged from 9 to 35% and specificity from 80 to 98%. Overall 39% of patients reported ever binge drinking, with a sensitivity of ICD-9 to predict binge drinking ranging from 7 to 33% and a specificity from 84 to 98%. More than half of patients had either an ICD-9 code for depression, a survey score indicating depression, or both (59%); more than one-third had the same patterns for alcohol misuse (36%).

CONCLUSIONS

ICD-9 codes were limited in predicting current depression and alcohol misuse, suggesting that caution should be exercised when using ICD-9 codes to assess depression or alcohol misuse among CHC patients.

The True Cost of a Dural Tear: Medical and Economic Ramifications of Incidental Durotomy During Lumbar Discectomy in Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective database review.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify whether dural tears increase costs and the risk of wound complications and serious adverse events during the postoperative period following primary lumbar discectomy in elderly Medicare beneficiaries.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Rates of incidental durotomy during lumbar spine surgery range from 1% to 17%. The full economic and medical burden of this complication remains unclear, particularly as it occurs during lumbar discectomy in elderly patients.

METHODS

The full set of prospectively gathered Medicare insurance data (2005-2012) was retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent primary lumbar discectomy for lumbar disc herniations from 2009 to quarter 3 of 2012 were selected. This cohort (n = 41,655) was then divided into two subgroups: those who were diagnosed with incidental durotomy on the day of surgery (n = 2052) and those who were not (control population). To select a more effective control population, patients of a similar age, gender, smoking status, diabetes mellitus status, chronic pulmonary disease status, and body mass index were chosen at random from the control population to create a control cohort. In-hospital costs, length of stay, and rates of 30-day readmission, 90-day wound complications, and 90-day serious adverse effects were compared.

RESULTS

An incidental durotomy rate of 4.9% was observed. Higher rates of wound infection [2.4% vs. 1.3%; odds ratio (OR) 1.88; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.31-2.70; P < 0.001], wound dehiscence (0.9% vs. 0.4%; OR 2.39; 95% CI: 1.31-4.37; P = 0.004), and serious adverse events related to incidental durotomy (0.9% vs. 0.2%; OR 4.10; 95% CI: 2.05-8.19; P < 0.0001) were observed in incidental durotomy patients. In-hospital costs were increased by over $4000 in patients with incidental durotomy (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Incidental durotomies occur in almost one in every 20 elderly patients treated with primary lumbar discectomy. Given the increased hospital costs and complication rates, this complication must be viewed as anything but benign.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Complications and Mortality Following One to Two-Level Anterior Cervical Fusion for Cervical Spondylosis in Patients Above 80 Years of Age

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective database review.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the complication and mortality rates in patients 80 years of age and older who were treated with anterior cervical fusion surgery and to compare these rates against those of other elderly patients.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Cervical spondylosis is frequently observed in the elderly and is the most common cause of myelopathy in older adults. With increasing life expectancies, a greater proportion of patients are being treated with spine surgery at a later age. Limited information is available regarding outcomes following anterior cervical fusion surgery in patients 80 years of age or older.

METHODS

Medicare data from the PearlDiver Database (2005-2012) were queried for patients who underwent primary one to two-level anterior cervical spine fusion surgeries for cervical spondylosis. After excluding patients with prior spine metastasis, bone cancer, spine trauma, or spine infection, this cohort was divided into two study groups: patients 65 to 79 (51,808) and ≥80 years old (5515) were selected. A cohort of matched control patients was selected from the 65 to 79-year-old and 90-day complication rates and 90-day and 1-year mortality rates were compared between cohorts.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients experiencing at least one major medical complication was relatively increased by 53.4% in patients aged ≥80 years [odds ratio (OR) 1.63]. Patients 80 years of age or older were more likely to experience dysphagia (OR 2.16), reintubation (OR 2.34), and aspiration pneumonitis (OR 3.17). Both 90-day (OR: 4.34) and 1-year (OR 3.68) mortality were significantly higher in the ≥80 year cohort.

CONCLUSION

Patients 80 years of age or older are more likely to experience a major medical complication or mortality following anterior cervical fusion for cervical spondylosis than patients 65 to 79 years old. Dysphagia, aspiration pneumonitis, and reintubation rates are also significantly higher in patients 80 years of age or older. Although complication rates may be higher in this patient population, carefully selected patients could potentially derive much benefit from surgery and should not be screened out solely on the basis of age.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Readmission Rates, Reasons, and Risk Factors Following Anterior Cervical Fusion for Cervical Spondylosis in Patients Above 65 Years of Age

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective database review.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine readmission reasons and rates following primary, elective anterior cervical spinal fusion surgery for cervical spondylosis and determine risk factors predicting increased risk of 30-day readmission in an exclusively elderly population.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

In the United States, there were almost 190,000 cervical spine procedures in 2009. Many cervical spine surgery patients are elderly, a demographic increasingly requiring surgery for degenerative cervical spine pathology. Unfortunately, this patient population is poorly studied, particularly concerning readmission rates.

METHODS

Medicare data from 2005 to 2012 were queried for elderly patients (65-84 years) who underwent primary one to two and ≥three-level anterior cervical spine fusion surgeries for cervical spondylosis. Forty-five thousand two hundred eighty-four patients treated with one to two-level and 12,103 patients with ≥three-level anterior cervical fusion (ACF) were identified and included in two study cohorts. Reasons for and rates of readmission were determined within 30 days, 90 days, and one-year postoperatively. Risk factors for medical, surgical, and all 30-day readmissions were also determined, selecting from various comorbidities, demographics, and surgical variables.

RESULTS

Readmission rates of 1.0% to 1.4%, 2.7% to 3.6%, and 13.2% to 14.1% were observed within 30 days, 90 days, and one year. Within 30 days, over 30% of patients from both study cohorts were readmitted for surgical reasons. Of surgical reasons for 30-day readmission, hematoma/seroma diagnoses were the most frequent (11.4%-15.4% of all readmissions). Male gender, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary disease, obesity, and smoking history were all found to be predictive of all-cause readmissions.

CONCLUSION

Unplanned 30-day readmission rates following primary, elective ACF in elderly patients is low and often due to medical reasons. Frequent surgical reasons for 30-day readmission include hematoma/seroma formation. Male gender and various comorbid diagnoses are significant predictors of all-cause readmissions within 30 days.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Morbid Obesity and Lumbar Fusion in Patients Older Than 65 Years: Complications, Readmissions, Costs, and Length of Stay

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective database review.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine how both morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥40) and obesity (BMI 30-39.9) modify 90-day complication rates and 30-day readmission rates following 1- to 2-level, primary, lumbar spinal fusion surgery for degenerative pathology in an elderly population.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

In the United States, both obese and elderly patients are known to have increased risk of complication, yet both demographics are increasingly undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery.

METHODS

Medicare data from 2005 to 2012 were queried for patients who underwent primary 1- to 2-level posterolateral lumbar fusion for degenerative pathology. Elderly patients undergoing elective surgery were selected and separated into three cohorts: morbidly obese (BMI ≥40; n = 2594), obese (BMI ≥30, < 40] (n = 5534), and nonobese controls (n = 48,210). Each pathologic cohort was matched to a unique subcohort from the control population. Ninety-day medical and surgical complication rates, 30-day readmission rates, length of stay (LOS), and hospital costs were then compared.

RESULTS

Both morbidly obese and obese patients had significantly higher odds of experiencing any one major medical complication (odds ratio [OR] 1.79; P < 0.0001 and OR 1.32; P < 0.0001, respectively). Wound infection (OR 3.71; P < 0.0001 and OR 2.22; P < 0.0001) and dehiscence (OR 3.80; P < 0.0001 and OR 2.59; P < 0.0001) rates were increased in morbidly obese and obese patients, respectively. Thirty-day readmissions, length of stay, and in-hospital costs were increased, with patients with morbid obesity incurring charges almost $8000 greater than controls.

CONCLUSION

Patients with both obesity and morbid obesity are at significantly increased risk of major medical complications, wound complications, and 30-day readmissions. Additionally, both groups of patients have significantly increased LOS and hospital costs. Both obese and morbidly obese patients should be appropriately counseled of these risks and must be carefully selected to reduce postoperative morbidity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Readmission Rates, Reasons, and Risk Factors in Elderly Patients Treated With Lumbar Fusion for Degenerative Pathology

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective database review.

OBJECTIVE

To determine readmission rates after 1 to 2 level, primary, elective lumbar spinal fusion surgery for degenerative pathology and elucidate risk factors that predict increased risk of 30-day readmission SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Early postoperative readmissions after spine surgery represent a significant source of increased cost and morbidity. As the elderly population represents a demographic with a growing need for spine surgery, readmissions within this population are of significant interest.

METHODS

Medicare data (2005-2012) from an insurance database was queried for patients who underwent primary 1 to 2 level posterolateral lumbar spine fusion surgeries for degenerative lumbar pathology. After applying specific exclusion criteria to select for elderly patients (65-84 yr) undergoing mostly elective procedures, 52,567 patients formed the final study population. Readmission rates for medical, surgical, and all reasons were calculated within 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year postoperatively. Risk factors for medical, surgical, and all 30-day readmissions were also determined.

RESULTS

Within 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year, 1510 (2.9%), 2776 (5.3%), and 6574 (12.5%) patients were readmitted, respectively. At 30 days, surgical diagnoses constituted 50.1% of all readmissions. Wound infection was the reason for readmission in 25.8% of all readmissions within 30 days. Diagnoses of chronic pulmonary disease (OR 1.41 95% CI 1.22-1.63), obesity (OR 2.20 95% CI 1.90-2.54), and positive smoking history (OR 1.33 95% CI 1.15-1.54) were associated with increased risk of surgical readmission.

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion experience 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year readmission rates of 2.9, 5.3, and 12.5% for both medical and surgical reasons. Surgical site infection and wound complications are the most common surgery-related reasons for readmission. Medical diagnoses are more predominant during later readmissions, highlighting the comorbidity burden present in elderly patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Differing Effects of Fatigue and Depression on Hospitalizations in Men and Women With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

In patients with heart failure, worsening of signs and symptoms and depression can affect hospitalization and also each other, resulting in synergistic effects on hospitalizations. A patient's sex may play a role in these effects.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of fatigue and depression on all-cause hospitalization rates in the total sample and in subgroups of men and women.

METHODS

A secondary analysis was done of data collected January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2012 (N = 582; mean age, 63.2 years [SD, 14.4]). Data were collected on fatigue, depression, sample characteristics, vital signs, results of laboratory tests, medications, and frequency of hospitalization. Patients were categorized into 4 groups on the basis of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision: no fatigue or depression, fatigue only, depression only, and both fatigue and depression. General linear regression was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

In both the total sample and the subgroups, the number of hospitalizations in patients with both fatigue and depression was greater than the number in patients without either symptom. Among women, the number of hospitalizations in the fatigue-only group and in the depression-only group was greater than that in the group with neither symptom. In men, the number of hospitalizations in the fatigue-only group was greater than that in the group without either symptom.

CONCLUSION

Fatigue and depression do not have synergistic effects on hospitalization, but men and women differ in the effects of these symptoms on hospitalization.