Background. We sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors of ARDS, and its impact on hospital length of stay (LOS) and cost, after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the U.S. Methods. Data were derived from the National Inpatient Sample from 1998-2008. We searched for admissions of patients >18 years, with a diagnosis of AIS and ARDS. Definitions were based on ICD9-CM codes. Prevalence proportions, and hospital LOS and cost were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression models were then fitted to determine odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for determinants of ARDS and to assess for its impact on hospital LOS and cost. Results. Over the 10-year period, we identified 4,066,043 admissions that corresponded to a primary diagnosis of AIS of which 157,464 had ARDS for a cumulative prevalence of 4%. Cases of ARDS after AIS increased from 13,395 (3.6%) in 1998 to 17,222 (4%) in 2008. ARDS was more common among old (OR 0.9; 95%CI 0.9-0.98), men (OR 1.2; 95%CI 1.2-1.21), blacks (OR 1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.2), urban-academic centers (OR 1.4; 95%CI 1.3-1.5); and in sepsis (OR 8.0; 95%CI 7.6-8.4), cardiovascular dysfunction (OR 3.5; 95%CI 3.3-3.7), respiratory dysfunction(OR 2.3; 95%CI, 2.2-2.4), hepatic dysfunction (OR 2.9; 95%CI 2.4-3.4), hematological dysfunction (OR 1.9; 95%CI, 1.8-2.1), and after thrombolysis (OR 3.8; 95%CI, 3.6-4.0). The median hospital LOS for ARDS was 8 days Inter-Quartile range [IQR] 14-23 vs. 3 days IQR 5-7, p<0.001. Median hospital cost for ARDS was $56,990 IQR $29,360-$111,900 vs. $17,240 IQR $10,760-$28,620, p<0.001. ARDS independently predicted higher hospital LOS (OR 2.4, 95% CI, 2.4-2.5) and higher costs (OR 2.6, 95% CI 2.5-2.6). Conclusion. Our analysis demonstrates an increase in the prevalence of ARDS after AIS in U.S. ARDS is associated with significant increase in hospital LOS and overall costs.
Patients with intracranial hemorrhages are at risk of seizure activity. Small cohort studies have shown that patients with subdural hemorrhages (SDH) may be at risk of developing status epilepticus (SE). In this study, we sought to determine the epidemiology of SE, the prevalence of risk factors, and the impact on hospital mortality in SDH, using a large administrative dataset.
73-YEAR-OLD woman presented with progressive confusion overa5-weekperiod, after having become increasingly apathetic for the past several months and having lost 22.5 kg over the past 1 year. On examination, the patient was normotensive and cachectic. Neurologically, there was psychomotor retardation with disorientation to place and time, complete visual loss except for a small preserved central focus, and denial for the degree of visual loss.