title: A population-based evaluation of readmissions after first hospitalization for acute pancreatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the burden and pattern of pancreatitis-related readmissions after index hospitalization for acute pancreatitis (AP).
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified all unique white or black Allegheny County residents with first hospital admission for AP from 1996 to 2005 using the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council data set. The final study population consisted of patients (n = 6010) who survived index admission and had follow-up data on readmissions. The etiology was determined using associated diagnosis codes. We analyzed pancreatitis-related readmissions until the third quarter of 2007 (median follow-up time, 39 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The absolute risk and total burden of readmissions were 21.9% and 2947 for primary AP, respectively, 5.8% and 812 for primary chronic pancreatitis (CP), respectively, and 32.3% and 6612 for any pancreatitis diagnosis, respectively. Patients with alcohol etiology (etiology on index admission in 20.3%; responsible for 41.6%-50.4% readmissions) and subsequent diagnosis of CP (any CP diagnosis, 12.8%; responsible for 73% readmissions) accounted for a disproportionately higher fraction of readmissions. Readmission risk decreased with increasing age. A small fraction of patients accounted for most readmissions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Readmission after AP is influenced by demographics, etiology, and subsequent CP diagnosis. Future studies should focus on understanding the factors driving readmissions in high-risk individuals to develop strategies for reducing pancreatitis-related readmissions and health care costs.
authors.affiliation: From the *University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and †University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Dhiraj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Georgios I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Papachristou
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Connell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult