Khandelwal, Kanika

Abstract Background We compared long-term mortality and readmission rates after COVID-19 hospitalization based on rural-urban status and assessed the impact of COVID-19 vaccination introduction on clinical outcomes by rurality. Methods The study comprised adults hospitalized for COVID-19 at 17 hospitals in 4 US states between March 2020 and July 2022, followed until May 2023. The main analysis included all patients, whereas a sensitivity analysis focused on residents from 4 states containing 17 hospitals. Additional analyses compared the pre- and postvaccination periods. Results The main analysis involved 9325 COVID-19 hospitalized patients: 31% were from 187 rural counties in 31 states; 69% from 234 urban counties in 44 states; the mean age was 65 years (rural, 66 years; urban, 64 years); 3894 women (rural, 41%; urban, 42%); 8007 Whites (rural, 87%; urban, 83%); 1738 deaths (rural, 21%; urban, 17%); and 2729 readmissions (rural, 30%; urban, 29%). During a median follow-up of 602 days, rural residence was associated with a 22% higher all-cause mortality (log-rank, P < .001; hazard ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.34, P < .001), and a trend toward a higher readmission rate (log-rank, P = .038; hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, .98-1.15; P = .130). The results remained consistent in the sensitivity analysis and in both pre- and postvaccination time periods. Conclusions and Relevance Patients from rural counties experienced higher mortality and tended to be readmitted more frequently following COVID-19 hospitalization over the long term compared with those from urban counties, a difference that remained even after the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines.

Background: The association of in-hospital blood pressure variability (BPV) with readmission or survival after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have not been fully investigated. We evaluated the relationship between intra-individual systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability (SBPV) for the duration of hospitalization, mean SBP, maximal SBP reached and readmission-free survival, all-cause readmission, or all-cause mortality to one year after hospitalization for a new acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: We measured mean SBP, maximal SBP reached, and SBPV as quartiles of standard deviations (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) across a median of 16 SBP readings per patient, every 4 hours, for the duration of hospitalization in 862 patients (age (mean±SD) 75±15 years, 55% females) with AIS admitted from 2003 to 2018, followed-up to 2019. Results: At 1 year, readmission-free survival was 51%, readmission rate was 39%, and mortality was16%. The mean ± SD in mmHg for SBP 146±20, maximal SBP reached 163±26, SD 16±6, and CV 10±5. Adjusted hazard ratios for the highest vs. lowest quartiles of SD or CV were 1.44 (95% confidence interval 1.04 - 1.81) or 1.29 (0.94 - 1.64) for readmission-free survival; 1.29 (0.9 - 1.78) or 1.29 (0.94 - 1.78) for readmission; 1.15 (0.71 - 1.87) or 0.86 (0.55 - 1.36) for mortality. The results remained consistent with mean SBP. However, maximal SBP was inversely associate with readmission-free survival. The accompanying figure shows Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of cumulative incidence of three outcomes by quartiles of SD (upper panel) and CV (lower panel) of SBP. Conculsions: Among patients hospitalized with a new AIS, higher in-hospital SBPV was associated with no decrease in readmission-free survival or increase in rates of readmission or mortality to 1 year. We recommend less emphasis on treating blood pressure and more focus on guideline-directed high-value care for the management AIS patients.

Abstract BACKGROUND Uncertainty remains over the relationship between blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV), measured in hospital settings, and clinical outcomes following acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We examined the association between within-person systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability (SBPV) during hospitalization and readmission-free survival, all-cause readmission, or all-cause mortality 1 year after AIS. METHODS In a cohort of 862 consecutive patients (age [mean ± SD] 75 ± 15 years, 55% women) with AIS (2005–2018, follow-up through 2019), we measured SBPV as quartiles of standard deviations (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) from a median of 16 SBP readings obtained throughout hospitalization. RESULTS In the cumulative cohort, the measured SD and CV of SBP in mmHg were 16 ± 6 and 10 ± 5, respectively. The hazard ratios (HR) for readmission-free survival between the highest vs. lowest quartiles were 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.81) for SD and 1.29 (95% CI 0.94–1.78) for CV after adjustment for demographics and comorbidities. Similarly, incident readmission or mortality remained consistent between the highest vs. lowest quartiles of SD and CV (readmission: HR 1.29 [95% CI 0.90–1.78] for SD, HR 1.29 [95% CI 0.94–1.78] for CV; mortality: HR 1.15 [95% CI 0.71–1.87] for SD, HR 0.86 [95% CI 0.55–1.36] for CV). CONCULSIONS In patients with first AIS, SBPV measured as quartiles of SD or CV based on multiple readings throughout hospitalization has no independent prognostic implications for the readmission-free survival, readmission, or mortality. This underscores the importance of overall patient care rather than a specific focus on BP parameters during hospitalization for AIS.