Readmissions After Hospitalization for Psoriatic Arthritis

A recent study found that 1 in 3 hospitalizations for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) result in readmission within 30 days of initial discharge.

Researchers aimed to assess the rates, characteristics, and predictors of 30-day readmissions among adults hospitalized for PsA across the United States. They analyzed the 2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database for adult PsA hospitalizations using ICD-10-CM codes. Chi-square tests were used to compare baseline characteristics between index admissions and readmissions. The most common indications for readmissions were identified, and multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of readmissions.

Approximately 842 index hospitalizations for PsA were analyzed, with 244 (29%) resulting in 30-day readmissions for the primary causes of acute kidney failure, major depression, and heart failure. Readmitted patients had a mean age of 48.2 years (standard deviation [SD] = 6.4 years) compared to 54.6 years (SD = 2.2 years) in index hospitalizations. More readmitted patients were uninsured (18.6% vs 4.4%, P = 0.015). The mean length of stay for readmissions was 7.2 days compared to 3.9 days for index admissions. The mean total hospital costs were $31,424 for index admissions and $60,147 for readmissions (P < 0.001). Significant differences in comorbidities, such as hypertension, liver disease, uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and alcohol use disorder, were observed between readmissions and index admissions. Age <40 years (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 2.35, P = 0.047), home health care (AHR = 5.87, P = 0.035), residence in the same state as the hospital (AHR = 1.24, P = 0.018), and secondary diagnoses of inflammatory bowel disease (AHR = 2.33, P < 0.001) or deep venous thrombosis (AHR = 3.80, P = 0.007) were correlated with an increased likelihood of readmission.

“Age <40 years, discharge to home health care, and a secondary diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease or deep venous thrombosis were correlated with an increased likelihood of readmission,” the authors concluded.

Reference
Uwumiro F, Anighoro SO, Ajiboye A, et al. Thirty-day readmissions after hospitalization for psoriatic arthritis. Cureus. Published online May 16, 2024. doi:10.7759/cureus.60445