Hospital Readmission in Patients with COVID-19

Neda Rahimian; Mahshid Heidari; Nahid  Hashemi-Madani; Nader Tavakoli; Mohammad E Khamseh

doi:10.18502/jimc.v7i3.15727

Neda Rahimian Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Mahshid Heidari Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Nahid Hashemi-Madani Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Nader Tavakoli Trauma and Injury Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad E Khamseh Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v7i3.15727

Keywords: Adrenal cortex hormones, COVID-19, Hospitals, Patient readmission, Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

Background: During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the demand for hospital beds has exceeded substantially. Thus, we aimed to conduct this study to identify factors associated with the risk of readmission in order to introduce the best discharge plan for patients with high risk of hospital readmission.

Methods: This is a multicenter, case-control study including 1357 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection. Age-sex-matched case and control groups were paired at 1:2 ratios, and COVID-19 readmission rate was assessed. Moreover, the logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the factors associated with readmission.

Results: Of the 1357 patients, 99 (7.29%) subjects were readmitted. The most common cause of readmission was respiratory distress. The median (interquartile) of the interval between hospital discharge and the second admission was 5 (2-16) days. Upon adjusting with the main risk factors, having at least one underlying disease and being treated with the corticosteroid were significantly associated with a higher rate of readmission (OR: 2.76, 95%CI: 1.30- 5.87) and (OR: 8.24, 95%CI: 3.72-18.22), respectively.

Conclusion: Identification of risk factors of COVID 19 readmission will improve resource utilization and patient care.