title: [Analysis of the association between socio-demographic variables and diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) at high risk of inappropriateness in hospitals in Caltanisetta (Italy)].
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between socio-demographic variables and hospital admissions at high risk of inappropriateness. Hospital discharge data for patients admitted to hospitals in the province of Caltanissetta in the Sicily Region (Italy) in the years 2007-2008 was obtained from the healthcare system database of the Region. Only acute care admissions of > 1 day duration and regarding patients ? 1 year of age were considered. Data regarding gender, nationality, age, marital status was collected for each admission as well as name of the local health authority in which the patient was registered. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Chi-square and multivariate logistical regression analysis (Hosmer e Lemeshow) Fourteen percent (8.220/58.561) of admissions were found to be at high risk of inappropriateness, which was associated with patient age [1-15 years and 46-65 years OR : 1,55 (I.C. 95%: 1,42-1,69) and 1,62 ( I.C. 95%: 1,53-1,72) respectively], marital status [married OR1,46 (I.C. 95%: 1,38-1,53)], place of residence [patients from the Caltanissetta local health authority OR: 1,22 (I.C. 95%: 1,15-1,30)] and nationality [Italian OR: 2,19 (I.C. 95%: 1,40-0,87) ].
authors.affiliation: Azienda Sanitaria Locale Caltanissetta.
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ligori
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mannocci
authors.forename: Maria Lucia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Specchia
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Torre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult