Predictors for early readmission in acute pancreatitis (AP) in the United States (US) – A nationwide population based study

Abstract Background & Aims Population based data on the burden and patterns of acute pancreatitis (AP) early readmissions (≤30-days) are limited. Methods 2013 Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) was queried. AP etiology was determined using associated diagnoses codes. Proportion, reasons for readmission, and associated costs were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors for 30-day readmission. Results After exclusions, we identified 178,541 patients with primary diagnosis of AP (mean age 53 ± 17 years, 51% male). 13.7% were readmitted ≤30 days [7.1% in acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) patients with index cholecystectomy (CCY), 16.3% in ABP patients without CCY, and 14.3% in non-biliary AP patients (p  Conclusions About 1 in 7 AP patients had a 30-day readmission after index hospitalization and about half of these were related to AP. Our data confirms the higher risk of readmission in alcohol and idiopathic AP and a lower risk in ABP. Risk of early unplanned readmission is significantly lower in ABP patients who underwent CCY and not ERCP during index hospitalization. Cholecystectomy should be performed in all ABP patients as per recommended guidelines.