Variation in hospitalizations and hospital length of stay in children with vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease.

Publication/Presentation Date

2-1-2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: As a measure of morbidity of vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) in sickle cell disease, we used a national hospital discharge database, the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), to determine the number of hospitalizations and hospital length of stay (LOS) by age.

PROCEDURE: Nationally weighted hospital discharges for VOC in children with sickle cell disease were analyzed using data from 2,500 hospitals in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) KID. Number of discharges and hospital LOS by age group were analyzed. Multiple linear regression was performed to analyze the effect of age on hospital LOS.

RESULTS: There were 20,271 hospital discharges for children with sickle cell disease and VOC. Mean age (SD) at time of admission was 10.6 (5.38) years with 49% being males. The overall average LOS was 4.4 days. There were differences in the number of hospital discharges by age group (P < 0.001). In addition, there was a difference in LOS by age group (P < 0.0001). After controlling for potential confounders, older age was associated with a longer LOS (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: Older children with sickle cell disease and VOC have increased hospitalizations and longer LOS. This age effect should be considered when measuring the effect of an intervention on hospital utilization in these children.

Volume

44

Issue

2

First Page

182

Last Page

186

ISSN

1545-5009

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

15390359

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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