tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Med Econ
. 2024 Feb 11:1-20.
doi: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2314429. Online ahead of print. Economic burden and secondary complications of influenza-related hospitalization among adults in the US: a retrospective cohort study
Tianyan Hu[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Amanda C Miles[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Taryn Pond[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Constantina Boikos[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Farzaneh Maleki[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Tamuno Alfred[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Santiago M C Lopez[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Leah McGrath[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Objective: This study aims to describe the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and direct medical cost of influenza-related hospitalizations to illustrate the persistent economic burden of influenza among adults in the US.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the PINC AI Healthcare Database. Adults hospitalized with a diagnosis of influenza between August 1-May 31 from 2016-2023 were identified and stratified by age (18-49, 50-64 and ≥65 years). The index hospitalization was defined as the individual's first influenza-related hospitalization during each season. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and hospitalization characteristics were assessed during the index hospitalization. Index hospitalization length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, mechanical ventilation (MV) usage, and costs were evaluated overall and by MV usage, ICU admission, and secondary complication status. Pre-index influenza-related outpatient and emergency department (ED) visits (7 days prior) were also evaluated.
Results: Primarily initiated in the ED, the median LOS for influenza-related hospitalizations was 3-4 days. Inpatient mortality increased with age (2.2-4.4%). Combined mean hospitalization and initial ED visit costs were $12,556-$14,494 (2017/18; high severity season) and $11,384-$12,896 (2022/23; most recent season). Compared to other age groups, adults ≥65 years had higher proportions of hospitalization with no MV or ICU usage. Adults 18-49 years had the highest proportion of ICU admission only, whereas adults 50-64 years had the highest MV usage only and both MV and ICU admission. MV and/or ICU usage was associated with higher hospitalization costs. Increasing proportionally with age, the majority of influenza-related hospitalizations had a secondary complication diagnosis, which were associated with elevated costs.
Limitations: Analysis of this hospital-based administrative database relied on coding accuracy. Only hospital system-associated outpatient/ED visits were captured; the full scope of HCRU was under-ascertained.
Conclusions: The economic burden of influenza-related hospitalizations remains substantial, driven by underlying conditions, MV/ICU usage and secondary complications.
Keywords: I; I1; I11; I12; cost; health care resources utilization; hospitalization; influenza; secondary complication.
. 2024 Feb 11:1-20.
doi: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2314429. Online ahead of print. Economic burden and secondary complications of influenza-related hospitalization among adults in the US: a retrospective cohort study
Tianyan Hu[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Amanda C Miles[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Taryn Pond[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Constantina Boikos[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Farzaneh Maleki[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Tamuno Alfred[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Santiago M C Lopez[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Leah McGrath[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 38343288
- DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2314429
Objective: This study aims to describe the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and direct medical cost of influenza-related hospitalizations to illustrate the persistent economic burden of influenza among adults in the US.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the PINC AI Healthcare Database. Adults hospitalized with a diagnosis of influenza between August 1-May 31 from 2016-2023 were identified and stratified by age (18-49, 50-64 and ≥65 years). The index hospitalization was defined as the individual's first influenza-related hospitalization during each season. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and hospitalization characteristics were assessed during the index hospitalization. Index hospitalization length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, mechanical ventilation (MV) usage, and costs were evaluated overall and by MV usage, ICU admission, and secondary complication status. Pre-index influenza-related outpatient and emergency department (ED) visits (7 days prior) were also evaluated.
Results: Primarily initiated in the ED, the median LOS for influenza-related hospitalizations was 3-4 days. Inpatient mortality increased with age (2.2-4.4%). Combined mean hospitalization and initial ED visit costs were $12,556-$14,494 (2017/18; high severity season) and $11,384-$12,896 (2022/23; most recent season). Compared to other age groups, adults ≥65 years had higher proportions of hospitalization with no MV or ICU usage. Adults 18-49 years had the highest proportion of ICU admission only, whereas adults 50-64 years had the highest MV usage only and both MV and ICU admission. MV and/or ICU usage was associated with higher hospitalization costs. Increasing proportionally with age, the majority of influenza-related hospitalizations had a secondary complication diagnosis, which were associated with elevated costs.
Limitations: Analysis of this hospital-based administrative database relied on coding accuracy. Only hospital system-associated outpatient/ED visits were captured; the full scope of HCRU was under-ascertained.
Conclusions: The economic burden of influenza-related hospitalizations remains substantial, driven by underlying conditions, MV/ICU usage and secondary complications.
Keywords: I; I1; I11; I12; cost; health care resources utilization; hospitalization; influenza; secondary complication.