Incidence and Predictors of Readmissions in Acute Pancreatitis: A Nationwide Analysis

Objectives Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common cause for hospitalization, and readmission is common, with variable associated risk factors for readmission. Here, we assessed the incidence and risk factors for readmission in AP in a large national database. Methods We analyzed data from the National Readmission Database during the year 2013. Index admissions with a primary discharge diagnosis of AP using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification were identified from January to November to identify 30-day readmission rates. Demographic, hospital, and clinical diagnoses were included in multivariate regression analysis to identify readmission risk factors. Results We identified 243,816 index AP discharges with 39,623 (16.2%) readmitted within 30 days. The most common reason for readmission was recurrent AP (41.5%). Increased odds of all-cause readmission were associated with younger age, nonhome discharge, increasing Charlson Comorbidity Index, and increased length of stay. Cholecystectomy during index admission was associated with reduced all-cause and recurrent AP readmissions (odds ratios of 0.5, and 0.35, respectively). Conclusions Readmission for AP is common, most often due to recurrent AP. Multiple factors, including cholecystectomy, during index admission, are associated with significantly reduced odds of all-cause and recurrent AP readmissions.