Background:
Sickle cell crisis is a acute medical emergency, which may require management in the ICU. Sickle cell anemias are remarkable in their clinical heterogeneity. Some people remain asymptomatic in their adult life, whereas others suffer repeated crisis; requiring multiple hospitalizations. In this study, we determine the demographic factors associated with a high readmission rate for sickle cell crisis
Methods:
Nationwide Inpatient Sample data was used to extract data of patients discharged with sickle cells crisis with complications for years 2009-2011 using clinical classification software (CCS) and ICD 9 code (282.6). All the patients who were discharged with primary diagnosis of sickle cell crisis and readmitted within 30 days were identified and categorized based on admitting diagnosis. Patients were classified as readmissions secondary to sickle cell crisis as a primary cause, readmissions with sickle cell crisis as a secondary cause. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS.
Results:
We identified 369,103 admissions for sickle cell crisis nationwide during the study period from 2009- 2012 with total 30-day readmission rate of 26.61% with sickle cell crisis as primary cause and readmission rate of 31.57% with sickle cell crisis as a secondary cause
Conclusions:
Young age group (18-44), females, patients under Medicare, patients in low median income for zip code and in non- metropolitan areas had higher 30-day re-admissions secondary to sickle cell crises as a primary cause (P<0.001). Young patients (18-44 years of age), females, patients covered under Medicare and living in Non-Metropolitan areas had higher 30-day RR sickle cell anemia as a secondary cause.