Incidence, inhospital mortality, and readmission among patients with alcoholic hepatitis in Korea: A nationwide study

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2019-04, Vol.34 (4), p.747-754
• Main Authors: Lee, Jin Yong, Cho, Yuri, Hong, Min Hee, Kim, Jayeun, Lee, Dong Hyeon, Jung, Yong Jin, Kim, Byeong Gwan, Lee, Kook Lae, Kim, Won
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; alcoholic hepatitis; Cirrhosis; Epidemiology; Female; Hepatitis; Hepatitis, Alcoholic - epidemiology; Hepatitis, Alcoholic - mortality; Hospital Mortality; Hospitalization; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Incidence; Liver cirrhosis; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality; Patient admissions; Patient Readmission - statistics & numerical data; Public health; readmission; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Risk factors; Sex Factors; Social Class; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0815-9319; 1440-1746
• DOI: 10.1111/jgh.14513

Background and Aim Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) ranks among the most costly diseases in South Korea. However, accurate hospitalization incidence rates, mortality rates, and contributing factors have not been investigated in South Korea. This study aimed to provide the nationwide incidence of hospitalization, inhospital mortality, and readmission rates for South Korean patients with AH. Methods Using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment service database, a total of 39 800 inpatient cases from 2008 to 2012 were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision diagnosis code for AH (K70.1). Standardized hospitalization incidence and mortality rates were calculated, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for inhospital mortality and readmission. Follow‐up data for those admitted in 2008 were collected to assess readmissions. Results The standardized incidence rate for AH hospitalization per 105 person/year decreased from 19 in 2008 to 14 in 2012 (P = 0.001). The annual inhospital mortality rate ranged from 0.2% to 0.5%. Inhospital mortality was significantly higher in older patients (odds ratio [OR], 1.36) and those with cirrhosis (OR, 4.40). The readmission rate for patients admitted in 2008 was 34.0%. Male sex (OR, 1.21) and low economic status (OR, 2.35) were significantly associated with readmission, whereas older age (OR, 0.96), cirrhosis (OR, 0.77), and urban residency (OR, 0.68) were inversely associated with readmission. Conclusions This study captured a 5‐year epidemiologic period in South Korea of patients with AH to reflect the real burden of AH and to provide valuable information to policy‐makers assessing public health priorities.