The demographics of pain after spinal cord injury: a survey of our model system.

STUDY DESIGN: Survey OBJECTIVES: Better understand the demographics of pain after spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Academic Level 1 trauma center and SCI Model System. METHODS: A survey including general demographic questions, questions of specific interest to the authors, the standardized SCI Pain Instrument (SCIPI), International SCI Pain Data Set, Basic form (ISCIPDS:B), Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) neuropathic 5a (PROMIS-Neur), and PROMIS nociceptive 5a (PROMIS-No). RESULTS: 81% of individuals with SCI experience chronic pain and 86% of individuals with pain have neuropathic pain. 55% of individuals had shoulder pain. Females and those who recall >5/10 pain during initial hospital stay had significantly higher PROMIS-Neur scores. Completeness of injury correlates inversely with the degree of neuropathic pain. Those who recall >5 pain during the initial hospital stay and those who reported the worst or second worst pain as being shoulder pain had significantly higher PROMIS-No scores. Lumbosacral injuries trended towards higher PROMIS-No scores and had the highest PROMIS-Neur scores. Those with tetraplegia were more likely to develop shoulder pain and those with shoulder pain had higher PROMIS-No scores. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic pain is almost universal in patients with SCI. Pain is more commonly reported as neuropathic in nature and females reported more neuropathic pain than males. Physicians should monitor for nociceptive shoulder pain, particularly in those with tetraplegia. Patients with incomplete injuries or lumbosacral injuries are more likely to report higher levels of neuropathic pain and pain levels should be monitored closely. Those with more neuropathic and nociceptive pain recall worse pain at initial hospitalization. Better understanding pain demographics in this population help screen, prevent and manage chronic pain in these patients.

Bulbocavernosus or anal reflex, one or both should be tested after spinal cord injury.

There are several methods for determining the remaining function of the sacral spinal cord following a spinal cord injury. Two of these methods are the bulbocavernosus and the anal wink reflexes. The choice of which reflex to use should be determined by the need for clinical information. These two reflexes provide similar information; however, they may have different prognostic value.

Content comparison of the Spinal Cord Injury Model System Database to the ICF Generic Sets and Core Sets for spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Mapping of the National Spinal Cord Injury Model System (SCIMS) Database (NSCID) to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). OBJECTIVES: To link the content of the latest two versions of the NSCID to the ICF; more specifically (1) to compare the content of the current NSCID 2016-2021 version to its predecessor (NSCID 2011-2016) using the ICF as a neutral reference framework, and (2) to compare the content contained in the NSCID 2016-2021 version with relevant ICF Sets. SETTING: The forms of the NSCID 2016-2021 and 2011-2016 versions were linked to the ICF and contrasted. Comparability of the current version of the NSCID with the ICF Core Set for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in the post-acute and long-term context and the two generic ICF sets- ICF Generic-7 and ICF Generic-30 was then examined. METHODS: ICF Linking Rules and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The current NSCID 2016-2021 version covers functioning as classified in the ICF with 8 ICF categories more comprehensively than its predecessor does. More than 50% of ICF categories contained in the two ICF Generic Sets were covered. The coverage of the brief ICF Core Sets for SCI by the NSCID 2016-2021 was more than 50%, but the coverage of the comprehensive core sets was low. Results showed the best coverage in the ICF component Activities and Participation. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes how the ICF and its Sets can serve as a reference framework to foster comparability of existing data sets from both clinical practice and research.

Cannabis shenanigans: advocating for the restoration of an effective treatment of pain following spinal cord injury.

Cannabis is an effective treatment for pain following spinal cord injury that should be available to patients and researchers. The major argument against the rescheduling of cannabis is that the published research is not convincing. This argument is disingenuous at best, given that the evidence has been presented and rejected at many points during the political dialog. Moreover, the original decision to criminalize cannabis did not utilize scientific or medical data. There is tension between the needs of a society to protect the vulnerable by restricting the rights of others to live well and with less pain. It is clear that this 70-year war on cannabis has had little effect in controlling the supply of cannabis. Prohibition can never succeed; "it is a tyranny from which every independent mind revolts." People living with chronic pain should not have to risk addiction, social stigma, restrictions on employment and even criminal prosecution in order to deal with their pain. It is time to end the shenanigans and have an open, transparent discussion of the true benefits of this much-beleaguered medicine.

Environmental barriers and social participation in individuals with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to examine the relationship between environmental barriers and social participation among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHOD: Individuals admitted to regional centers of the Model Spinal Cord Injury System in the United States due to traumatic SCI were interviewed and included in the National Spinal Cord Injury Database. This cross-sectional study applied a secondary analysis with a mixed effect model on the data from 3,162 individuals who received interviews from 2000 through 2005. Five dimensions of environmental barriers were estimated using the short form of the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors-Short Form (CHIEF-SF). Social participation was measured with the short form of the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique-Short Form (CHART-SF) and their employment status. RESULTS: Subscales of environmental barriers were negatively associated with the social participation measures. Each 1 point increase in CHIEF-SF total score (indicated greater environmental barriers) was associated with a 0.82 point reduction in CHART-SF total score (95% CI: -1.07, -0.57) (decreased social participation) and 4% reduction in the odds of being employed. Among the 5 CHIEF-SF dimensions, assistance barriers exhibited the strongest negative association with CHART-SF social participation score when compared to other dimensions, while work/school dimension demonstrated the weakest association with CHART-SF. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental barriers are negatively associated with social participation in the SCI population. Working toward eliminating environmental barriers, especially assistance/service barriers, may help enhance social participation for people with SCI. (PsycINFO Database Record

Spinal Cord Injury-Functional Index/Assistive Technology Short Forms.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spinal Cord Injury-Functional Index/Assistive Technology (SCI-FI/AT) short forms (SFs) in the domains of basic mobility, self-care, fine motor function, and ambulation based on internal consistency; correlations between SFs and full item banks, and a 10-item computerized adaptive test (CAT) version; magnitude of ceiling and floor effects; and measurement precision across a broad range of function in a sample of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. SETTING: Nine national Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems programs. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of adults with traumatic SCI (N=460) stratified by level of injury (paraplegia/tetraplegia), completeness of injury, and time since SCI. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SCI-FI/AT full item bank, 10-item CAT, and SFs (with separate Self-Care and Fine Motor Function SFs for persons with tetraplegia and paraplegia). RESULTS: The SCI-FI/AT SFs demonstrated very good internal consistency, group-level reliability, and excellent correlations between SFs and scores based on the CAT version and the total item bank. Ceiling and floor effects are acceptable (except for unacceptable ceiling effects for persons with paraplegia on the Self-Care and Fine Motor Function SFs). The test information functions are excellent across a broad range of functioning typical of persons with paraplegia and tetraplegia. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians and researchers should consider using the SCI-FI/AT SFs to assess functioning with the use of assistive technology when CAT applications are not available.

Active Lifestyle Is Associated With Reduced Dyspnea and Greater Life Satisfaction in Spinal Cord Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relations between measures of activity with dyspnea and satisfaction with life in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Five SCI centers. PARTICIPANTS: Between July 2012 and March 2015, subjects (N=347) with traumatic SCI ≥1 year after injury who used a manual wheelchair or walked with or without an assistive device reported hours spent away from home or yard on the previous 3 days, sports participation, and planned exercise. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and dyspnea. Dyspnea was defined as shortness of breath when hurrying on the level or going up a slight hill, going slower than people the same age on the level because of breathlessness, or stopping for breath when going at your own pace, or after about 100yd (or after a few minutes) on the level. RESULTS: Dyspnea prevalence was 30%. Adjusting for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mobility mode, race, and season, there was a significant linear trend between greater SWLS scores and quartiles of time spent away from the home or yard (P=.0002). SWLS score was greater if participating in organized sports (P=.01), although was not significantly greater with planned exercise (P=.093). Planned exercise was associated with a reduced odds ratio (OR) of dyspnea (.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], .34-.95; P=.032), but organized sports was not (P=.265). Dyspnea was not significantly increased in persons who spent the fewest hours outside their home or yard (≤7h) compared with people who spent the most hours outside their home or yard (>23h) (OR=1.69; 95% CI, 0.83-3.44; P=.145). CONCLUSIONS: In SCI, a planned exercise program is associated with less dyspnea. An active lifestyle characterized by greater time spent away from home or yard and sports participation is associated with greater SWLS scores.

Reliability and Validity of S3 Pressure Sensation as an Alternative to Deep Anal Pressure in Neurologic Classification of Persons With Spinal Cord Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether pressure sensation at the S3 dermatome (a new test) could be used in place of deep anal pressure (DAP) to determine completeness of injury as part of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter observational study. SETTING: U.S. Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems. PARTICIPANTS: Persons (N=125) with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), neurologic levels T12 and above, were serially examined at 1 month (baseline), 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury. There were 80 subjects with tetraplegia and 45 with paraplegia. INTERVENTIONS: S3 pressure sensation at all time points, with a retest at the 1-month time point. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Test-retest reliability and agreement (κ), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability of S3 pressure at 1 month was almost perfect (κ=.98). Agreement of S3 pressure with DAP was substantial both at 1 month (κ=.73) and for all time points combined (κ=.76). The positive predictive value of S3 pressure for DAP was 89.3% at baseline and 90.3% for all time points. No pattern in outcomes was seen in those cases where S3 pressure and DAP differed at 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: S3 pressure sensation is reliable and has substantial agreement with DAP in persons with SCI at least 1 month postinjury. We suggest S3 pressure as an alternative test of sensory sacral sparing for supraconus SCI, at least in cases where DAP cannot be tested. Further research is needed to determine whether S3 pressure could replace DAP for classification of SCI.

Depression, pain intensity, and interference in acute spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of pain and depression in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) is well known. However the link between pain intensity, interference, and depression, particularly in the acute period of injury, has not received sufficient attention in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of depression, pain intensity, and pain interference in individuals undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation for traumatic SCI. METHODS: Participants completed a survey that included measures of depression (PHQ-9), pain intensity ("right now"), and pain interference (Brief Pain Inventory: general activity, mood, mobility, relations with others, sleep, and enjoyment of life). Demographic and injury characteristics and information about current use of antidepressants and pre-injury binge drinking also were collected. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test depression models in 3 steps: (1) age, gender, days since injury, injury level, antidepressant use, and pre-injury binge drinking (controlling variables); (2) pain intensity; and (3) pain interference (each tested separately). RESULTS: With one exception, pain interference was the only statistically significant independent variable in each of the final models. Although pain intensity accounted for only 0.2% to 1.2% of the depression variance, pain interference accounted for 13% to 26% of the variance in depression. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that pain intensity alone is insufficient for understanding the relationship of pain and depression in acute SCI. Instead, the ways in which pain interferes with daily life appear to have a much greater bearing on depression than pain intensity alone in the acute setting.

Association of internet use and depression among the spinal cord injury population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between the frequency of Internet use and depression among people with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: SCI Model Systems. PARTICIPANTS: People with SCI (N=4618) who were interviewed between 2004 and 2010. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of Internet use and the severity of depressive symptoms were measured simultaneously by interview. Internet use was reported as daily, weekly, monthly, or none. The depressive symptoms were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), with 2 published criteria being used to screen for depressive disorder. The diagnostic method places more weight on nonsomatic items (ie, items 1, 2, and 9), and the cut-off method that determines depression by a (PHQ-9) score ≥10 places more weight on somatic factors. The average scores of somatic and nonsomatic items represented the severity of somatic and nonsomatic symptoms, respectively. RESULTS: Our multivariate logistic regression model indicated that daily Internet users were less likely to have depressive symptoms (odds ratio=.77; 95% confidence interval, .64-.93), if the diagnostic method was used. The linear multivariate regression analysis indicated that daily and weekly Internet usage were associated with fewer nonsomatic symptoms; no significant association was observed between daily or weekly Internet usage and somatic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: People with SCI who used the Internet daily were less likely to have depressive symptoms.

Depression treatment preferences after acute traumatic spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine preferences for depression treatment modalities and settings and predictors of treatment preference in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: Rehabilitation inpatient services. PARTICIPANTS: Persons with traumatic SCI (N=183) undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression scale, history of psychiatric diagnoses and treatments, and a depression treatment preference survey. RESULTS: Among inpatients with SCI (28% had Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥10 indicating probable major depression), a physical exercise program was the most preferred treatment option (78% somewhat or very likely to try) followed by antidepressants prescribed by a primary care provider (63%) and individual counseling in a medical or rehabilitation clinic (62%). All modalities were preferred over group counseling. Although not statistically significant, more depressed individuals stated a willingness to try antidepressants and counseling than nondepressed individuals. Subjects preferred treatment in a medical/rehabilitation setting over a mental health setting. Those with a prior diagnosis of depression and a history of antidepressant use were significantly more willing to take an antidepressant. Age ≥40 years was a significant predictor of willingness to receive individual counseling. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment preferences and patient education are important factors when choosing a depression treatment modality for patients with SCI. The results suggest that antidepressants, counseling, and exercise may be promising components of depression treatment in this population, particularly if they are integrated into medical or rehabilitation care.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospitalized children with cardiovascular disease: estimated prevalence and outcomes from the kids' inpatient database.

OBJECTIVE: Hospitalized children with cardiovascular disease may be at increased risk of cardiac arrest; however, little data exist regarding prevalence, risk factors, or outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in these patients. We sought to characterize national estimates of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and death after cardiopulmonary resuscitation for hospitalized children with cardiovascular disease. SETTING: A total of 3,739 hospitals in 38 states participating in Kids' Inpatient Database. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of the 2000, 2003, and 2006 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database was performed. Sample weighting was employed to produce national estimates. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Cardiovascular disease was identified in 2.2% of the estimated 22,175,468 (95% confidence interval 21,391,343-22,959,592) hospitalizations. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation occurred in 0.74% (3,698; 95% confidence interval 3,205-4,191) of hospitalizations of children with cardiovascular disease, compared with 0.05% (11,726; 95% confidence interval 10,647-12,805) without cardiovascular disease (odds ratio 13.8, 95% confidence interval 12.8-15.0). The highest frequency of cardiopulmonary resuscitation occurred with myocarditis (3.0% of admissions), heart failure (2.0%), and coronary pathology (2.0%). Compared with other forms of cardiovascular disease identified in this study, single-ventricle patients were the only subgroup who exhibited a higher mortality after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (mortality 65% vs. 55%; odds ratio 1.7 [95% confidence interval 1.2-2.6]), while those who had undergone cardiac surgery exhibited a lower mortality rate (mortality 48% vs. 57%; odds ratio 0.6 [95% confidence interval 0.5-0.8]). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation occurs in approximately 7 per 1,000 hospitalizations of children with cardiovascular disease, a rate greater than ten-fold that observed in hospitalizations of children without cardiovascular disease. Single-ventricle patients demonstrated increased mortality after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, while recent cardiac surgery was associated with a reduced odds of death after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and develop techniques to prevent cardiac arrest in this high-risk population.

Characterization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for pediatric cardiac arrest in the United States: analysis of the kids' inpatient database.

To characterize the overall use, cost, and outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as an adjunct to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among hospitalized infants and children in the United States, retrospective analysis of the 2000, 2003, and 2006 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) was performed. All CPR episodes were identified; E-CPR was defined as ECMO used on the same day as CPR. Channeling bias was decreased by developing propensity scores representing the likelihood of requiring E-CPR. Univariable, multivariable, and propensity-matched analyses were performed to characterize the influence of E-CPR on survival. There were 8.6 million pediatric hospitalizations and 9,000 CPR events identified in the database. ECMO was used in 82 (0.9 %) of the CPR events. Median hospital charges for E-CPR survivors were $310,824 [interquartile range (IQR) 263,344-477,239] compared with $147,817 (IQR 62,943-317,553) for propensity-matched conventional CPR (C-CPR) survivors. Median LOS for E-CPR survivors (31 days) was considerably greater than that of propensity-matched C-CPR survivors (18 days). Unadjusted E-CPR mortality was higher relative to C-CPR (65.9 vs. 50.9 %; OR 1.9, 95 % confidence interval 1.2-2.9). Neither multivariable analysis nor propensity-matched analysis identified a significant difference in survival between groups. E-CPR is infrequently used for pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest. Median LOS and charges are considerably greater for E-CPR survivors with C-CPR survivors. In this retrospective administrative database analysis, E-CPR did not significantly influence survival. Further study is needed to improve outcomes and to identify patients most likely to benefit from this resource-intensive therapy.

Prevalence and outcomes of pediatric in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the United States: an analysis of the Kids' Inpatient Database*.

OBJECTIVE: Population-based data on pediatric in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the United States are scarce. Single-center studies and voluntary registries may skew the estimated prevalence and outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and outcomes of pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a national scale. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project 2006 Kids' Inpatient Database was performed. Sample weighting was employed to produce national estimates. SETTING: Three thousand seven hundred thirty-nine hospitals in 38 states participating with the Kids' Inpatient Database. PATIENTS: All patients <20 yrs of age hospitalized in participating institutions in 2006. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed in 5,807 (95% confidence interval 5259-6355) children with prevalence of 0.77 per 1,000 admissions. Most patients (68%) were <1 yr old, and 44% were female. On multivariable analysis, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was associated with respiratory failure (odds ratio 41.5, 95% confidence interval 35.4-48.8), myocarditis (odds ratio 36.6, 95% confidence interval 21.9-61.0), acute renal failure (odds ratio 21.6, 95% confidence interval 17.5-26.7), heart failure (odds ratio 3.8, 95% confidence interval 3.0-4.8), and cardiomyopathy (odds ratio 3.8, 95% confidence interval 3.2-4.7). Overall mortality was 51.8% and greater among patients ≥1 yr (68%) vs. <1 yr (44%) (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 2.3-3.2). Factors associated with mortality among patients receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation on multivariable analysis included acute renal failure (odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.9), hepatic insufficiency (odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.01-2.4), sepsis (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.4), and congenital heart disease (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.5). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed in approximately one in 1,300 pediatric hospitalizations. Approximately half of patients receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation do not survive to discharge. Independent risk factors for mortality after receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation included congenital heart disease, age ≥1 yr, acute renal failure, hepatic insufficiency, and sepsis.

Validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in assessing major depressive disorder during inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression screening measure in people undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation for spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: We performed a blinded comparison of the PHQ-9 administered by research staff with the major depression module of the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (SCID) conducted by a mental health professional. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation units. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=142) were patients undergoing acute rehabilitation for traumatic SCI who were at least 18 years of age, English speakers, and without severe cognitive, motor speech, or psychotic disorders. We obtained the SCID on 173 (84%) of 204 eligible patients. The final sample of 142 patients (69%) consisted of those who underwent both assessments within 7 days of each other. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PHQ-9 and SCID major depression module. RESULTS: Participants were on average 42.2 years of age, 78.2% men, and 81.7% white, and 66.9% had cervical injuries. The optimal PHQ-9 cutoff (≥11) resulted in 35 positive screens (24.6%). Key indices of criterion validity were as follows: sensitivity, 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], .73-1.00); specificity, .84 (95% CI, .76-.89); Youden Index, .84; positive predictive value, .40 (95% CI, .24-.58); and negative predictive value, 1.00 (95% CI, .96-1.00). The area under the receiver operator curve was .92, and κ was .50. Total PHQ-9 scores were inversely correlated with subjective health state and quality of life since SCI. CONCLUSIONS: The PHQ-9 meets criteria for good diagnostic accuracy compared with a structured diagnostic assessment for major depressive disorder even in the context of inpatient rehabilitation for acute traumatic SCI.

Prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of heart failure-related hospitalizations in children in the United States: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Few data exist on prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of pediatric heart failure hospitalizations. We tested the hypotheses that pediatric heart failure-related hospitalizations increased over time but that mortality decreased. Factors associated with mortality and length of stay were also assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database was performed for pediatric (age ≤18 years) heart failure-related hospitalizations for the years 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006. Hospitalizations did not significantly increase over time, ranging from 11,153 (95% confidence interval [CI] 8,898-13,409) in 2003 to 13,892 (95% CI 11,528-16,256) in 2006. Hospital length of stay increased from 1997 (mean 13.8 days, 95% CI 12.5-15.2) to 2006 (mean 19.4 days, 95% CI 18.2 to 20.6). Hospital mortality was 7.3% (95% CI 6.9-8.0) and did not vary significantly between years; however, risk-adjusted mortality was less in 2006 (odds ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.80). The greatest risk of mortality occurred with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, acute renal failure, and sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Heart failure-related hospitalizations occur in 11,000-14,000 children annually in the United States, with an overall mortality of 7%. Many comorbid conditions influenced hospital mortality.

Hospital charges for pediatric heart transplant hospitalizations in the United States from 1997 to 2006.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation remains a resource-intensive therapy for children. However, data regarding change in costs over time are scarce. We tested the hypothesis that hospital charges for pediatric heart transplant hospitalizations would increase from 1997 to 2006 and assessed factors associated with hospital charges. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database was performed on admissions surrounding heart transplantation for the years 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006. The database is a nationwide sampling of pediatric hospital discharges and is weighted to provide national estimates. RESULTS: There were 353 (95% confidence interval, 201-505) pediatric heart transplants in 1997 and 355 (95% confidence interval, 226-485) in 2006. Mean hospital charges increased from $279,399 in 1997 to $451,738 in 2006 (p < 0.001). This increase was similar to that observed for other pediatric surgical diseases. Increases also occurred in morbidities, including pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.04) and sepsis (p = 0.04), and in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p = 0.03). On multivariable analysis, greater hospital charges were associated with later calendar year (p = 0.001), stroke (p = 0.03), sepsis (p = 0.001), renal failure (p = 0.008), arrhythmia (p = 0.03), and use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p < 0.001) and ventricular assist device (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: From 1997 to 2006, mean charges for pediatric heart transplant hospitalizations increased by > $170,000 (160%). Although greater morbidities in the later years of the study potentially contributed to increased charges, later calendar year was independently associated with increased charges. The changes in charges for heart transplant are similar to the increases seen in other surgical procedures. Ongoing study of management strategies is needed to determine cost-effective therapies for this complex group of patients.