부산대학교 도서관

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) has a relapsing–remitting course and is associated with a high burden of comorbidities, leading to repeated hospitalizations. This study was undertaken to investigate the burden, risk factors, causes, and outcomes of hospitalization and readmission in GCA patients in a US national cohort. Using the 2017 US National Readmission Database, we identified adults ≥50 years of age hospitalized with GCA between January and June 2017, with at least 6 months of follow‐up. We estimated the burden of hospitalization including 6‐month risk of readmission, total days spent in hospital, and costs, annually. We examined patient‐, hospital‐, and index hospitalization–related factors for 6‐month readmission and total days of hospitalization using binomial logistic regression. Our study included 1,206 patients hospitalized with GCA (70% women, median age 77 years), with 13% of patients experiencing GCA‐related ophthalmologic complications at index hospital admission. On follow‐up, 3% died, and 34% of patients were readmitted within 6 months, primarily for infections (23%) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (15%). Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) of ≥1, smoking, and obesity were associated with readmission. GCA patients spent a median of 5 days/year in hospital (interquartile range [IQR] 3–11), with those in the top quartile spending 19 days/year in hospital (IQR 14–26). GCA patients frequently experience unplanned health care utilization, with 1 in 3 patients experiencing readmission within 6 months, and 3% dying within the follow‐up period. Infection and CVDs are common causes of readmission and may be related to glucocorticoid exposure. Population health management strategies are required in these vulnerable GCA patients.