Background Nosocomial infections are a particular threat for patients with liver cirrhosis. It is not uncommon that individuals develop even several consecutive infections during a single hospital stay. We aimed to investigate the impact and characteristics of multiple, consecutive nosocomial infections. Methods A total of 514 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites were included and followed up for 28 days for nosocomial infection, death or liver transplantation (LTx). Laboratory values were assessed at the time of hospitalization as well as at the onset of each new infectious episode. Results 58% ( n = 298) of the patients developed at least one nosocomial infection and in 23% ( n = 119) even multiple infections were documented during a single hospital stay. Consecutive infections usually occurred shortly after the previous episode. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) was the most common infection. However, the proportion of SBP declined from 43% at the first to only 31% at the third nosocomial infection ( p = 0.096). In contrast, the likelihood for other, less common types of infection such as blood stream infections increased. Third nosocomial infections were also more likely to be linked to the detection of fungal pathogens (21% vs. 52%; p = 0.001). Each additional infectious episode had a dramatic detrimental impact on LTx‐free survival that was independent from the stage of liver disease (adjusted‐HR: 6.76, p = 0.002 for first nosocomial infection; adjusted‐HR: 14.69, p <0.001 for second nosocomial infection; adjusted‐HR: 24.95, p <0.001 for third nosocomial infection). Conclusion In patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis LTx‐free survival significantly decreases with every consecutive infectious episode. Development of prevention strategies is urgently required.
The economic effects of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), nosocomial infections (nosInf) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) have so far been poorly studied. We analyzed the impact of these complications on treatment revenues in hospitalized patients with decompensated cirrhosis. 371 consecutive patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, who received a paracentesis between 2012 and 2016, were included retrospectively. DRG (diagnosis-related group), "ZE/NUB" (additional charges/new examination/treatment methods), medication costs, length of hospital stay as well as different kinds of specific treatments (e. g., dialysis) were considered. Exclusion criteria included any kind of malignancy, a history of organ transplantation and/or missing accounting data. Total treatment costs (DRG + ZE/NUB) were higher in those with nosInf (€ 10,653 vs. € 5,611, p < 0.0001) driven by a longer hospital stay (23 d vs. 12 d, p < 0.0001). Of note, revenues per day were not different (€ 473 vs. € 488, p = 0.98) despite a far more complicated treatment with a more frequent need for dialysis (p < 0.0001) and high-complex care (p = 0.0002). Similarly, SBP was associated with higher total revenues (€ 10,307 vs. € 6,659, p < 0.0001). However, the far higher effort for the care of SBP patients resulted in lower daily revenues compared to patients without SBP (€ 443 vs. € 499, p = 0.18). ACLF increased treatment revenues to € 10,593 vs. €6,369 without ACLF (p < 0.0001). While treatment of ACLF was more complicated, revenue per day was not different to no-ACLF patients (€ 483 vs. € 480, p = 0.29). SBP, nosInf and/or ACLF lead to a significant increase in the effort, revenue and duration in the treatment of patients with cirrhosis. The lower daily revenue, despite a much more complex therapy, might indicate that these complications are not yet sufficiently considered in the German DRG system. Die ökonomischen Einflüsse einer spontan bakteriellen Peritonitis (SBP), nosokomialer Infektionen (nosInf) und eines akut auf chronischen Leberversagens (ACLF) sind bislang wenig untersucht. Wir analysierten die Einflüsse dieser Komplikationen auf die Behandlungserlöse von hospitalisierten Patienten mit dekompensierter Leberzirrhose. 371 hospitalisierte, konsekutive Patienten mit Leberzirrhose und aszitischer Dekompensation, die zwischen 2012 und 2016 eine Parazentese erhielten, wurden retrospektiv eingeschlossen. DRG (Diagnosebezogene Fallgruppen), ZE/NUB (Zusatzentgelte/Neue Untersuchungs- und Behandlungsmethoden), Medikamentenkosten, Krankenhausverweildauer, therapeutische und klinische Leistungen (u. a. Dialyse, hochaufwendige Pflege) wurden für die Auswertung berücksichtigt. Ausschlusskriterien waren u. a. ein malignes Grundleiden, eine Organtransplantation sowie fehlende Abrechnungsdaten. Die Gesamterlöse (DRG + ZE/NUB) waren im Fall einer nosInf deutlich höher (10.653 € vs. 5.611 €; p < 0,0001) bei allerdings auch wesentlich längerer Krankenhausverweildauer (23 vs. 12 Tage, p < 0,0001). Die Erlöse/Tag unterschieden sich letztlich nicht (473 € vs. 488 €; p = 0,98). Die Behandlung bei nosInf war jedoch wesentlich aufwendiger mit häufigeren Dialysen (p < 0,0001) und hochaufwendiger Pflege (p = 0,0002). Analog ergaben sich bei einer SBP ebenfalls höhere Gesamterlöse (10.307 € vs. 6.659 €; p < 0,0001) bei jedoch deutlich höherem Behandlungsaufwand. Die Erlöse/Tag waren in diesen Fällen allerdings numerisch niedriger als bei Patienten ohne SBP (443 € vs. 499 €; p = 0,18). Das Auftreten eines ACLF erhöhte die Gesamterlöse auf 10.593 € vs. 6.369 € ohne ACLF (p < 0,0001). Auch dabei war der Behandlungsaufwand entsprechend größer (bspw. mehr Dialysen; p < 0,0001). Die Klinikerlöse/Tag waren mit und ohne ACLF jedoch nicht unterschiedlich (483 € vs. 480 €; p = 0,29). Bei dekompensierter Leberzirrhose führt das Auftreten einer SBP, nosokomialer Infektionen und/oder eines ACLF zu einer signifikanten Erhöhung des Behandlungsaufwands, der Erlöse und der Krankenhausverweildauer. Die dazu im Widerspruch stehenden numerisch niedrigeren Erlöse/Tag bei wesentlich höherer Zahl erbrachter Leistungen weisen möglicherweise darauf hin, dass diese Komplikationen im deutschen DRG-System zurzeit nicht ausreichend berücksichtigt werden.
Abstract There are considerable differences between males and females regarding the etiology, progression and outcome of liver diseases. Infections are a frequent and severe complication in these patients. This study aimed to examine sex specific differences in the incidence and clinical course of nosocomial infections in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. A number of 556 consecutive hospitalized patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and ascites were analyzed. The patients were followed up for the incidence of nosocomial infections, acute kidney injury (AKI), acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) as well as liver transplantation and death (LTx-free survival). A number of 285 patients (111 women and 174 men) developed a nosocomial infection. Incidence was numerically lower in men ( P = 0.076). While the frequency of a nosocomial spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was similar between males and females, the incidence of a nosocomial urinary tract infection was significantly higher in women ( P < 0.001). No sex specific differences were documented regarding the outcome of an infection as indicated by a similar incidence of, AKI, ACLF as well as LTx-free survival. There seem to be no major differences in the incidence and outcome of nosocomial infections between male and female patients.
Abstract Background and aims: There are considerable differences between males and females regarding the etiology, progression and outcome of liver diseases. Infections are a frequent and severe complication in these patients. This study aimed to examine sex specific differences in the incidence and clinical course of nosocomial infections in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Methods: A number of 555 consecutive patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and ascites were analyzed. The patients were followed up for the incidence of nosocomial infections, acute kidney injury (AKI), acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) as well as liver transplantation and death (LTx-free survival). Results: A number of 285 patients (111 women and 174 men) developed a nosocomial infection. Incidence was numerically lower in men (p=0.076). While the frequency of a nosocomial spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was similar between males and females, the incidence of a nosocomial urinary tract infection was significantly higher in women (p<0.001). No sex specific differences were documented regarding the outcome of an infection as indicated by a similar incidence of, AKI, ACLF as well as LTx-free survival. Conclusion: There seem to be no major differences in the incidence and outcome of nosocomial infections between male and female patients.
