The cause of cost in the management of odontogenic infections 2: multivariate outcome analyses.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the demographic, social, treatment, and hospital course variables associated with length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) use, and additional operating room (OR) use in patients admitted for odontogenic infections.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted in patients admitted for odontogenic infections at Harborview Medical Center from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2011.


RESULTS
In total, 318 patient charts were reviewed and included. In the multivariate linear regression analysis on LOS, the variables drug abuse, location of treatment, number of spaces involved, side or location of infection, ICU use, length of ICU stay, additional OR use, peak temperature, admission white blood cell count, peak white blood cell count, and peak blood sugar accounted for 68.2% of the variation. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis on ICU use, the variables OR time, number of spaces involved, and peak blood sugar accounted for 32.5% of the variation. LOS was the only variable significantly associated with additional OR use in the multivariate analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
An understanding of the key variables involved in LOS in patients with odontogenic infections has been greatly improved by recent studies and reinforced by the present study. The authors present a starting point for a greater understanding of the variables involved in ICU use, but much more work is needed to address variables identifying patients requiring reoperation. Future studies should aim to create multivariate models explaining all variations in these outcome variables.
Former Dental Student, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Current Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA.
Brian
B
Christensen
Michael
M
Han
Jasjit K
JK
Dillon
D001786:Blood Glucose; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000191:economics*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001786:Blood Glucose