Hospitalization as an opportunity to improve lung cancer screening in high-risk patients

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer screening with annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in high-risk patients with exposure to smoking reduces lung cancer-related mortality, yet the screening rate of eligible adults is low. As hospitalization is an opportune moment to engage patients in their overall health, it may be an opportunity to improve rates of lung cancer screening. Prior to implementing a hospital-based lung cancer screening referral program, this study assesses the association between hospitalization and completion of lung cancer screening.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of evaluated completion of at least one LDCT from 2014 to 2021 using electronic health record data using hospitalization as the primary exposure. Patients aged 55-80 who received care from a university-based internal medicine clinic and reported cigarette use were included. Univariate analysis and logistic regression evaluated the association of hospitalization and completion of LDCT. Cox proportional hazard model examined the time relationship between hospitalization and LDCT.

RESULTS

Of the 1935 current smokers identified, 47% had at least one hospitalization, and 21% completed a LDCT during the study period. While a higher proportion of patients with a hospitalization had a LDCT (24%) compared to patients without a hospitalization (18%, p<0.001), there was no association between hospitalization and completion of a LDCT after adjusting for potentially confounding covariates (95%CI 0.680 - 1.149). There was an association between hospitalization time to event and LDCT completion, with hospitalized patients having a lower probability of competing LDCT compared to non-hospitalized patients (HR 0.747; 95% CI 0.611 - 0.914).

CONCLUSIONS

In a cohort of patients at risk for lung cancer and established within a primary care clinic, only 1 in 4 patients who had been hospitalized completed lung cancer screening with LDCT. Hospitalization events were associated with a lower probability of LDCT completion. Hospitalization is a missed opportunity to refer at-risk patients to lung cancer screening.

Is hospitalization a missed opportunity to intervene on tobacco cessation?

BACKGROUND

Although tobacco use is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality, its use remains widespread among adults within the United States. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products are effective aids that improve rates of tobacco cessation. Many smokers interact with the medical system, such as during hospitalization, without their tobacco use addressed. Hospitalization is a teachable moment for patients to make health-related changes, including tobacco cessation.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of adult patients in a university-based patient-centered medical home from 2012 to 2021 evaluating the proportion of adults who smoke who received at least one prescription for NRT. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of being hospitalized and receipt of a NRT prescription.

RESULTS

Of the 4,072 current smokers identified, 1,182 (29%) received at least one prescription for NRT during the study period. Hospitalization was associated with increased odds of receiving a NRT prescription (OR 1.68). Of 1,844 current smokers with a hospitalization during the study period, 1,078 (58%) never received a prescription for NRT at any point. Only 87 (5%) of the smokers received a prescription for NRT during hospitalization or at the time of hospital discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite hospitalization being associated with NRT prescribing, most patients who use tobacco and are hospitalized are not prescribed NRT. Hospitalization is an underutilized opportunity for both hospitalists and primary care physicians to intervene on smoking cessation through education and prescription of tobacco cessation aids.

Effect of Delirium on Interhospital Transfer Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Interhospital transfer (IHT) and in-hospital delirium are both independently associated with increased length of stay (LOS), mortality, and discharge to facility. Our objective was to investigate the joint effects between IHT and the presence of in-hospital delirium on the outcomes of LOS, discharge to a facility, and in-hospital mortality.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of 25,886 adult hospital admissions at a tertiary-care academic medical center. Staged multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between IHT status and the outcomes of discharge to a facility, LOS, and mortality while considering the joint impact of delirium. The joint effects of IHT status and delirium were evaluated by categorizing patients into one of four categories: emergency department (ED) admissions without delirium, ED admissions with delirium, IHT admissions without delirium, and IHT admissions with delirium. The primary outcomes were LOS, in-hospital mortality, and discharge disposition.

RESULTS

The odds of discharge to a facility were 4.48 times higher in admissions through IHT with delirium when compared with ED admissions without delirium. IHT admissions with delirium had a 1.97-fold (95% confidence interval 1.88-2.06) longer LOS when compared with admission through the ED without delirium. Finally, admissions through IHT with delirium had 3.60 (95% confidence interval 2.36-5.49) times the odds of mortality when compared with admissions through the ED without delirium.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between IHT and delirium is complex, and patients with IHT combined with in-hospital delirium are at high risk of longer LOS, discharge to a facility, and mortality.

The Combined Effect of Delirium and Falls on Length of Stay and Discharge

INTRODUCTION

Delirium or a fall are associated with many negative outcomes including increased length of stay (LOS) and discharge to a facility; however, this relationship is incompletely understood.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of all hospitalizations in a large, tertiary care hospital evaluated the effect of delirium and a fall on the outcomes of LOS and risk of being discharged to a facility.

RESULTS

The study included 29,655 hospital admissions. A total of 3,707 (12.5%) patients screened positive for delirium and 286 (0.96%) had a reported fall. After adjustment for covariates, relative to patients without delirium or a fall, patients with delirium only had a 1.64-fold longer LOS; patients with fall only had a 1.96-fold longer LOS; and patients who had delirium and fall had a 2.84-fold longer LOS. The adjusted odds of discharge to a facility, relative to those without delirium or a fall, was 8.98 times higher in those with delirium and a fall.

CONCLUSIONS

Delirium and falls influence LOS and likelihood of being discharged to a facility. The joint impact of falls and delirium on LOS and facility discharge was more than additive. Hospitals should consider the integrated management of delirium and falls.

Disseminated Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Presenting as Chronic Diarrhea and Wasting

Infections due to nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) are important in chronically immunosuppressed populations and are a particular threat to solid organ transplant recipients (SOT). However, they are not a common occurrence and have protean manifestations, making it important that clinicians maintain a high degree of suspicion in the correct patient population. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) usually presents with pulmonary involvement in immunocompetent population and disseminated disease in SOT patients with fever of unknown origin, lymphadenopathy, and cutaneous lesions being part of the well-known presentation. It is not commonly described as causing severe diarrhea. Here, we present an interesting case of a patient with a kidney and pancreas transplant who presented with debilitating wasting and chronic diarrhea. Biopsies and cultures confirmed MAC. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of MAC causing severe wasting diarrhea in renal transplant patients. The patient was treated with a multidrug regimen. Given the rare presentation of MAC presenting as chronic diarrhea, the treatment regimen is not standardized and infectious disease specialists should be involved early on. Up to 30% of renal transplant patients infected with NTM lose graft function and 20% die. Unfortunately, our patient suffered both these outcomes.

Ascitic Fluid Analysis Leading to the Diagnosis of Constrictive Pericarditis in 2 Patients

Although well documented, constrictive pericarditis is a rare entity and an uncommon cause of heart failure. A stiff and noncompliant pericardium creates the disease's unique hemodynamics and leads to elevated venous pressures, hepatic sinusoidal congestion, and draining of protein-rich fluid into the peritoneal cavity presenting as ascites. The low incidence in addition to its varied and subtle clinical presentations can often lead to a delay in diagnosis. Here, we present 2 clinical cases of constrictive pericarditis in which ascitic fluid analysis was important-one patient who presented with new-onset ascites with concern for cirrhosis and another patient who presented with symptoms concerning for heart failure with ascites. Through their hospital course and workup, we highlight the importance of diagnostic sampling of ascitic fluid to prompt the consideration of constrictive pericarditis followed by utilizing advanced diagnostics, such as echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization to reach the correct diagnosis in an otherwise often overlooked pathology.

Patient Demographics and Clinic Type Are Associated With Patient Engagement Within a Remote Monitoring Program

Background: Remote physiological monitoring (RPM) is accessible, convenient, relatively inexpensive, and can improve clinical outcomes. Yet, it is unclear in which clinical setting or target population RPM is maximally effective. Objective: To determine whether patients' demographic characteristics or clinical settings are associated with data transmission and engagement. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of adults enrolled in a diabetes RPM program for a minimum of 12 months as of April 2020. We developed a multivariable logistic regression model for engagement with age, gender, race, income, and primary care clinic type as variables and a second model to include first-order interactions for all demographic variables by time. The participants included 549 adults (mean age 53 years, 63% female, 54% Black, and 75% very low income) with baseline hemoglobin A1c ≥8.0% and enrolled in a statewide diabetes RPM program. The main measure was the transmission engagement over time, where engagement is defined as a minimum of three distinct days per week in which remote data are transmitted. Results: Significant predictors of transmission engagement included increasing age, academic clinic type, higher annual household income, and shorter time-in-program (p < 0.001 for each). Self-identified race and gender were not significantly associated with transmission engagement (p = 0.729 and 0.237, respectively). Conclusions: RPM appears to be an accessible tool for minority racial groups and for the aging population, yet engagement is impacted by primary care location setting and socioeconomic status. These results should inform implementation of future RPM studies, guide advocacy efforts, and highlight the need to focus efforts on maintaining engagement over time.

Pyometra: An Atypical Cause of Abdominal Pain

Pyometra, a purulent infection of the uterus, is a rare cause of a very common complaint—abdominal pain. Risk factors include gynecologic malignancy and postmenopausal status. The classically described presentation includes abdominal pain, fever, and vaginal discharge. In this article, we present an atypical presentation of nonperforated pyometra in an 80-year-old female who was admitted to the internal medicine inpatient service. She initially presented with nonspecific subacute right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Physical examination did not demonstrate vaginal discharge. Laboratory evaluation failed to identify an underlying etiology. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis with oral and intravenous contrast demonstrated a 6.5 × 6.1 cm cystic containing structure within the uterine fundus, concerning for a gynecologic malignancy. Pelvis ultrasound confirmed the mass. Endometrial biopsy did not reveal underlying malignancy, but instead showed frank pus, leading to the diagnosis of pyometra. This report illustrates that pyometra should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lower abdominal pain in elderly women.

Impact of Patient-Level Characteristics on In-hospital Mortality After Interhospital Transfer to Medicine Services: an Observational Study

BACKGROUND

National administrative datasets have demonstrated increased risk-adjusted mortality among patients undergoing interhospital transfer (IHT) compared to patients admitted through the emergency department (ED).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of patient-level data not available in larger administrative datasets on the association between IHT status and in-hospital mortality.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study with logistic regression analyses to examine the association between IHT status and in-hospital mortality, controlling for covariates that were potential confounders. Model 1: IHT status, admit service. Model 2: model 1 and patient demographics. Model 3: model 2 and disease-specific conditions. Model 4: model 3 and vital signs and laboratory data.

PARTICIPANTS

Nine thousand three hundred twenty-eight adults admitted to Medicine services.

MAIN MEASURES

Interhospital transfer status, coded as an unordered categorical variable (IHT vs ED vs clinic), was the independent variable. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included unadjusted length of stay and total cost.

KEY RESULTS

IHT patients accounted for 180 out of 484 (37%) in-hospital deaths, despite accounting for only 17% of total admissions. Unadjusted mean length of stay was 8.4 days vs 5.6 days (p < 0.0001) and mean total cost was $22,647 vs $12,968 (p < 0.0001) for patients admitted via IHT vs ED respectively. The odds ratios (OR) for in-hospital mortality for patients admitted via IHT compared to the ED were as follows: model 1 OR, 2.06 (95% CI 1.66-2.56, p < 0.0001); model 2 OR, 2.07 (95% CI 1.66-2.58, p < 0.0001); model 3 OR, 2.07 (95% CI 1.63-2.61, p < 0.0001); model 4 OR, 1.70 (95% CI 1.31-2.19, p < 0.0001). The AUCs of the models were as follows: model 1, 0.74; model 2, 0.76; model 3, 0.83; model 4, 0.88, consistent with a good prediction model.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-level characteristics affect the association between IHT and in-hospital mortality. After adjusting for patient-level clinical characteristics, IHT status remains associated with in-hospital mortality.

Estimating the Economic Burden of Acute Myocardial Infarction in the US: 12 Year National Data

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) carries a substantial mortality and morbidity burden. The purpose of this study is to provide annual mean cost per patient and national level estimates of direct and indirect costs (lost productivity from morbidity and premature mortality) associated with AMI.

METHODS

Nationally representative data spanning 12 years (2003-2014) with a sample of 324,869 patients with AMI from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) were analyzed. A novel 2-part model was used to examine the excess direct cost associated with AMI, controlling for covariates. To estimate lost productivity from morbidity, an adjusted Generalized Linear Model was used for the differential in wage earnings between participants with and without AMI. Lost productivity from premature mortality was estimated based on published data.

RESULTS

The total annual cost of AMI in 2016 dollars was estimated to be $84.9 billion, including $29.8 billion in excess direct medical expenditures, $14.6 billion in lost productivity from morbidity and $40.5 billion in lost productivity from premature mortality between 2003 and 2014. In the adjusted regression, the overall excess direct medical expenditure of AMI was $7,076 (95% confidence interval [CI] $6,028-$8,125) higher than those without AMI. After adjustment, annual wages for patients with AMI were $10,166 (95% CI -$12,985 to -$7,347) lower and annual missed work days were 5.9 days (95% CI 3.57-8.27) higher than those without AMI.

CONCLUSIONS

The study finds that the economic burden of AMI is substantial, for which effective prevention could result in significant health and productivity cost savings.

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Associated With Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a condition of dysregulated heme synthesis that leads to accumulation of photosensitizing precursors with resultant fragility and blistering of the skin. It can be hereditary or acquired and has been known to be associated with hepatic C virus, alcohol, HIV, and estrogen. In this article, we report an unusual presentation of PCT associated with acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis in a 57-year-old man. He presented initially to a community hospital with acute onset of epigastric abdominal pain and new-onset ascites. Lipase was elevated. Diagnostic paracentesis was grossly bloody. He was then transferred to our institution for concern for acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis. On arrival, physical examination demonstrated vesicles and bullae with erythematous bases, in different stages of healing seen over the dorsal aspects of both hands with scaling, scarring, and hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation of the skin. Laboratory evaluation and skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PCT. Search for an underlying etiology failed to reveal typical predisposing factors. This report illustrates that acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis may be an underlying etiology for PCT.

Trends in Healthcare Expenditures Among US Adults With Hypertension: National Estimates, 2003-2014

Background

One in 3 US adults has high blood pressure, or hypertension. As prior projections suggest hypertension is the costliest of all cardiovascular diseases, it is important to define the current state of healthcare expenditures related to hypertension.

Methods and Results

We used a nationally representative database, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, to calculate the estimated annual healthcare expenditure for patients with hypertension and to measure trends in expenditure longitudinally over a 12‐year period. A 2‐part model was used to estimate adjusted incremental expenditures for individuals with hypertension versus those without hypertension. Sex, race/ethnicity, education, insurance status, census region, income, marital status, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and year category were included as covariates. The 2003–2014 pooled data include a total sample of 224 920 adults, of whom 36.9% had hypertension. Unadjusted mean annual medical expenditure attributable to patients with hypertension was $9089. Relative to individuals without hypertension, individuals with hypertension had $1920 higher annual adjusted incremental expenditure, 2.5 times the inpatient cost, almost double the outpatient cost, and nearly triple the prescription medication expenditure. Based on the prevalence of hypertension in the United States, the estimated adjusted annual incremental cost is $131 billion per year higher for the hypertensive adult population compared with the nonhypertensive population.

Conclusions

Individuals with hypertension are estimated to face nearly $2000 higher annual healthcare expenditure compared with their nonhypertensive peers. This trend has been relatively stable over 12 years. Healthcare costs associated with hypertension account for about $131 billion. This warrants intense effort toward hypertension prevention and management.

The Structure of Medical Intensive Care Units at Training Institutions

BACKGROUND

As a result of the 2011 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) work hour guideline implementation, the structure of intensive care unit (ICU) teams at training institutions has been affected. The impact these changes have had on the current work environment has not been well described.

METHODS

The authors conducted an online survey of internal medicine program directors in 2016. The survey investigated how training institutions structure their intensive care units in reference to volume, resident housestaff and alternative coverage options, with a focus on changes made after the implementation of the 2011 ACGME duty hour restrictions.

RESULTS

Notable differences were found in program director responses to coverage of patients in the ICUs. A total of 62 of the 132 (48%) responding program directors describe coverage of all patients solely by resident housestaff. Since 2011, 54 (41%) programs have increased the number of resident physicians rotating in the ICU per month and initiated or increased the use of nonresident coverage of patients. Use of non-resident providers is not associated with a decrease in the number of total ICU months per resident or a decrease in educational value.

CONCLUSIONS

Since the 2011 ACGME duty hour implementation, there is wide variability in the learning environment of medical intensive care units in training institutions.

Sustained Improvement in Blood Pressure Control for a Multiracial Cohort: Results of a Patient-centered Medical Home Quality Improvement Initiative

BACKGROUND

Patient-centered medical homes incorporate strategies to increase healthcare access as a means of improving health at the patient and population level. We hypothesized that quality improvement initiatives based in a patient-centered medical home would improve hypertension control for adult patients, regardless of race.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included patients of a hospital-based Internal Medicine practice in the southeastern U.S. whose systolic blood pressure was uncontrolled (criteria ≥140mmHg) prior to patient-centered medical home certification. Mean systolic blood pressure and hypertension control rates were calculated from the average of the four quarterly means prior to patient-centered medical home designation and again from the last 4 quarters of the five-year study period (final). Quality improvement interventions included patient identification, multidisciplinary team meetings, targeted outreach, and dedicated office visits for addressing hypertension. Primary outcomes included the change in systolic blood pressure and the change in the proportion of the cohort with hypertension control. Chi-square, two sample t-tests, and ANOVA were used for comparison (SAS 9.3).

RESULTS

The inception cohort had 1,702 patients (64% nonwhite, 36% white) with systolic blood pressure ≥140mmHg. Mean systolic blood pressure significantly decreased while hypertension control rates increased in both races after patient-centered medical home certification. White adults had lower mean systolic blood pressure and higher control rates at baseline and study conclusion compared to nonwhite adults. Similar trends persisted regardless of the number of office visits.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of blood pressure before and after designation of an Internal Medicine clinic as a patient-centered medical home reveals disparities in rates of chronic disease control. Team-based outreach improves hypertension control for patients regardless of race or visit number. These findings suggest that patient-centered medical homes and a multidisciplinary care approach, not limited to increased access, improve chronic disease control and should be considered for diverse outpatient clinics.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Young Adult Presenting as Hepatitis and Acute Kidney Injury

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults is a relatively rare malignancy. The typical presentation includes signs and symptoms associated with bone marrow failure, including fevers, infections, fatigue, and excessive bruising. In this article, we report an unusual systemic presentation of ALL in a previously healthy 18-year-old man. He initially presented with several-day history of nausea and vomiting, 10-pound weight loss, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain with evidence of acute hepatocellular liver injury (elevations in aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase) and elevation in serum creatinine. Further history revealed that he just joined the Marine Corp; in preparation, he had been lifting weights and taking protein and creatine supplements. A complete serological evaluation for liver disease was negative and creatine phosphokinase was normal. His aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase declined, and he was discharged with expected improvement. However, he returned one week later with continued symptoms and greater elevation of aminotransferases. Liver biopsy was nondiagnostic, revealing scattered portal and lobular inflammatory cells (primarily lymphocytes) felt to be consistent with drug-induced liver injury or viral hepatitis. Given his elevated creatinine, unresponsive to aggressive volume expansion, a kidney biopsy was performed, revealing normal histology. He subsequently developed an extensive left lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. Given his deep venous thrombosis, his peripheral blood was sent for flow cytometry, which revealed lymphoblasts. Bone marrow biopsy revealed 78% blasts with markers consistent with acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. This report emphasizes that right upper quadrant abdominal pain with liver test abnormalities may be the initial presentation of a systemic illness such as ALL.

Identification of High Utilization Inpatients on Internal Medicine Services

BACKGROUND

As healthcare reform moves toward value based care, hospitals must reduce costs. As a first step, here we developed a predictive model to identify high-cost patients on admission.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective observational study of 7,571 adults admitted to internal medicine services from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. We compared the top 10% highest cost patients to other patients (controls) and identified clinical variables associated with high inpatient costs. Using logistic regression analyses, we developed a predictive model that could be used on admission to identify potential high utilization patients.

RESULTS

In the 757 high utilizer patients, the median total hospital cost was $53,430 ± 60,679 compared to $8,431 ± 7,245 in the control group (P < 0.0001). The median length of stay for high utilization patients was 19.5 ± 32.5 days compared to 3.8 ± 3.9 days in the control group (P < 0.001). Variables associated with high utilization included transfer from an outside hospital (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6), admission to the pulmonary or medical intensive care unit (OR = 2.4), admission to cardiology (OR = 1.8), coagulopathy (OR = 2.6) and fluid and electrolyte disorders (OR = 2.1). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to fit a predictive model for high utilizers. The receiver operating characteristics curve of this prediction model yielded an area under the curve of 0.80.

CONCLUSIONS

High resource utilization patients appear to have a specific phenotype that can be predicted with commonly available clinical variables. Our predictive formula holds promise as a tool that may help ultimately reduce hospital costs.