Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Versus Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation in Patients with Multivessel Disease Involving the Right Coronary Artery.

BACKGROUND: Whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is superior to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for the right coronary territory is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes and patency in the right coronary territory after CABG or PCI. METHODS: We studied 2,467 multivessel coronary artery disease patients from January 2001 to December 2011; 1,672 were off-pump CABG patients and 795 were PCI. The graft patency and the presence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) including death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and stroke were analyzed. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, cardiac-related survival was found to be significantly higher in the CABG group than in the PCI group (hazard ratio (HR) for the PCI group: 2.445, p = 0.006). The PCI group showed higher rates of myocardial infarction (HR: 2.571, p = 0.011) and target vessel revascularization (HR: 3.337, p < 0.001). In the right coronary territory, the right internal thoracic artery patency was not different in the PCI group compared with the CABG group (p = 0.248). In CABG group, low right coronary artery graft patency was associated with cardiac-related death (HR: 0.17, p = 0.003) and the occurrence of MACCEs (HR: 0.22, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CABG was superior to PCI in patients with multivessel disease. Low graft patency in the right coronary territory was associated with cardiac-related death and the occurrence of MACCEs.

Extended Clopidogrel Therapy Beyond 12 Months and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Receiving Coronary Arterial Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents.

We investigated the associations between extended clopidogrel therapy and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) after second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Landmark analysis was performed in 1,600 patients who received second-generation DES and were event-free at 12 months after the index procedure. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) at 5 years after the index procedure. After inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis, the risk of all-cause death, or nonfatal MI was significantly lower in patients receiving clopidogrel >12 months than in those receiving clopidogrel ≤12 months in diabetic patients (13.9% vs 8.4%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33 to 0.99, p = 0.046). However, no significant difference was observed in all-cause death or nonfatal MI between the two groups of patients without DM (5.0% vs 8.1%, HR 1.63, 95% CI 0.90 to 2.96, p = 0.11). Extended clopidogrel therapy beyond 12 months was associated with decreased risk of all-cause death or nonfatal MI in patients with DM after second-generation DES implantation. In conclusion, our data suggest that the benefits of extended clopidogrel therapy are more prominent in diabetic patients receiving second-generation DES implantation compared with nondiabetic patients.

Detecting and correcting for publication bias in meta-analysis - A truncated normal distribution approach.

Publication bias can significantly limit the validity of meta-analysis when trying to draw conclusion about a research question from independent studies. Most research on detection and correction for publication bias in meta-analysis focus mainly on funnel plot-based methodologies or selection models. In this paper, we formulate publication bias as a truncated distribution problem, and propose new parametric solutions. We develop methodologies of estimating the underlying overall effect size and the severity of publication bias. We distinguish the two major situations, in which publication bias may be induced by: (1) small effect size or (2) large p-value. We consider both fixed and random effects models, and derive estimators for the overall mean and the truncation proportion. These estimators will be obtained using maximum likelihood estimation and method of moments under fixed- and random-effects models, respectively. We carried out extensive simulation studies to evaluate the performance of our methodology, and to compare with the non-parametric Trim and Fill method based on funnel plot. We find that our methods based on truncated normal distribution perform consistently well, both in detecting and correcting publication bias under various situations.

Impact of different nitrate therapies on long-term clinical outcomes of patients with vasospastic angina: A propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the short-term vasodilatory effects of nitrates, the prognostic effects of long-term nitrate therapy in patients with vasospastic angina (VSA) remains unclear. We investigated the prognostic impact of chronic nitrate therapy in VSA patients. METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2014, a total of 1154 VSA patients proven by ergonovine provocation tests were classified into nitrate (n=676) and non-nitrate (n=478) groups according to prescriptions for oral nitrates, including isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) and nicorandil. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, any revascularization, or rehospitalization due to recurrent angina. RESULTS: The nitrate group was found to have a higher risk of MACE (22.9% vs. 17.6%, hazard ratio [HR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.73, p=0.043) than the non-nitrate group. After propensity score matching, the nitrate group had greater risks of MACE (HR 1.32, 95%CI 1.01-1.73, p=0.049). Patients who received the immediate-release formula of ISMN (HR 1.80, 95%CI 1.35-2.39, p<0.001) or were administered any forms of ISMN other than at bedtime (HR 1.90, 95%CI 1.41-2.57, p<0.001) had a significantly higher risk of MACE compared with the non-nitrate group. Nicorandil was shown to have a neutral effect on VSA patients (HR 1.11, 95%CI 0.73-1.69, p=0.62). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term use of nitrate therapy was associated with increased risk of adverse cardiac events in VSA patients. The use of immediate-release ISMN or the administration of ISMN other than at bedtime was related with poor outcomes of VSA patients.

Comorbidity as a contributor to frequent severe acute exacerbation in COPD patients.

BACKGROUND: Comorbidities have a serious impact on the frequent severe acute exacerbations (AEs) in patients with COPD. Previous studies have used the Charlson comorbidity index to represent a conglomerate of comorbidities; however, the respective contribution of each coexisting disease to the frequent severe AEs remains unclear. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was performed in 77 COPD patients who experienced severe AE between January 2012 and December 2014 and had at least 1-year follow-up period from the date of admission for severe AE. We explored the incidence of frequent severe AEs (≥2 severe AEs during 1-year period) in these patients and investigated COPD-related factors and comorbidities as potential risk factors of these exacerbations. RESULTS: Out of 77 patients, 61 patients (79.2%) had at least one comorbidity. During a 1-year follow-up period, 29 patients (37.7%) experienced frequent severe AEs, approximately two-thirds (n=19) of which occurred within the first 90 days after admission. Compared with patients not experiencing frequent severe AEs, these patients were more likely to have poor lung function and receive home oxygen therapy and long-term oral steroids. In multiple logistic regression analysis, coexisting asthma (adjusted odds ratio [OR] =4.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.30-12.46, P=0.016), home oxygen therapy (adjusted OR =9.39, 95% CI =1.60-55.30, P=0.013), and C-reactive protein (adjusted OR =1.09, 95% CI =1.01-1.19, P=0.036) were associated with frequent severe AEs. In addition, poor lung function, as measured by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (adjusted OR =0.16, 95% CI =0.04-0.70, P=0.015), was inversely associated with early (ie, within 90 days of admission) frequent severe AEs. CONCLUSION: Based on our study, among COPD-related comorbidities, coexisting asthma has a significant impact on the frequent severe AEs in COPD patients.

Clinical implications of low-dose aspirin on vasospastic angina patients without significant coronary artery stenosis; a propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: High-dose aspirin has been reported to exacerbate coronary artery spasm in patients with vasospastic angina. We investigated clinical implications of low-dose aspirin on vasospastic angina patients without significant coronary artery stenosis. METHODS: We included patients without significant coronary artery stenosis on coronary angiography (CAG) and with positive results on intracoronary ergonovine provocation test between January 2003 and December 2014. A total of 777 patients were divided into two groups according to prescription of low-dose aspirin at discharge: aspirin group (n=321) and non-aspirin group (n=456). The major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as composite outcomes of cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction, revascularization, or rehospitalization requiring CAG or medication change due to recurrent angina were compared. RESULTS: The aspirin group had significantly higher incidence of MACE (22.8% versus 12.1%; p=0.04) and had higher tendency for rehospitalization (20.6% versus 11.2%; p=0.08). All-cause mortality and cardiac death were similar between the two groups. After propensity score matching, the aspirin group had greater risk of MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.28; p=0.037) and rehospitalization requiring CAG (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13-4.20; p=0.03), and a higher tendency for rehospitalization (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.94-2.09; p=0.12). CONCLUSION: In vasospastic angina without significant coronary artery stenosis, patients taking low-dose aspirin are at higher risk of MACE, driven primarily by tendency toward rehospitalization. Low-dose aspirin might be used with caution in vasospastic angina patients without significant coronary artery stenosis.

Aortic Valve Replacement With Carpentier-Edwards: Hemodynamic Outcomes for the 19-mm Valve.

BACKGROUND: To compare hemodynamic performance and clinical outcomes after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with the 19-mm Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis versus larger valves. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2013, 447 consecutive patients underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount (n = 61) or Magna bioprostheses (n = 386). Based on the implanted valve size, the patients were classified into three groups: a 19-mm group (n = 54), a 21-mm group (n = 154), and a 23-mm to 27-mm group (n = 239). The in vivo effective orifice area index was measured by transthoracic echocardiography 12 months after operation (n = 331). The mean follow-up time was 4.9 ± 3.5 (maximum 15.4) years. RESULTS: There were three early deaths (0.7%). At 10 years, overall survival (84.1%) was unaffected by patient-prosthesis mismatch (18.7%, 62 patients), and freedom from structural valve deterioration and endocarditis was 100% and 97.1%, respectively. Although the 19-mm group was significantly older and had a higher incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (n = 14, 30.4%), there were no significant differences in early outcomes, overall survival, cardiac-related mortality, or serial reduction of left ventricular mass index in comparison with patients with a larger bioprostheses. Independent risk factors for all-cause mortality were age, male gender, combined coronary artery bypass graft, and low hemoglobin level. CONCLUSION: The Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis appears to be associated with acceptable clinical outcomes and hemodynamic profile.

Clopidogrel Versus Aspirin as an Antiplatelet Monotherapy After 12-Month Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy in the Era of Drug-Eluting Stents.

BACKGROUND: The use of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) exceeding 12 months may increase a bleeding risk despite a lower risk of ischemic events. There is no study to compare clinical outcomes in patients treated with a single-antiplatelet drug after DAPT in the era of drug-eluting stents (DES). We sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel versus aspirin monotherapy after 12-month DAPT after DES implantation using an institutional registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: This observational study was conducted on consecutive patients receiving DES between January 2003 and December 2010. A total of 3243 patients receiving 12-month DAPT after DES implantation without adverse clinical outcomes were divided into 2 groups based on prescribed antiplatelet status: aspirin (n=2472) and clopidogrel (n=771). Clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics revealed more comorbidities and more complex lesions in the clopidogrel group than in the aspirin group. At 36 months after initiation of antiplatelet monotherapy, clopidogrel was associated with a reduction in risk for a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (aspirin versus clopidogrel; 3.8% versus 2.6%; hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.92; P=0.02). The risk of cardiac death was lower with clopidogrel monotherapy than with aspirin monotherapy (1.4% versus 0.5%; hazard ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.93; P=0.04). Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction major bleeding occurred similarly between both groups (0.9% versus 1.3%; hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-2.32; P=0.95). CONCLUSIONS: After 12-month DAPT, clopidogrel monotherapy, when compared with aspirin monotherapy, might be associated with a reduced risk of recurrent ischemic events in patients receiving DES.

Pure Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting in Diabetic Patients With Triple-Vessel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Despite the documented superior long-term patency of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting, use of BITAs remains low, especially in diabetic patients. We analyzed the results of pure BITA grafting to determine whether the potential survival advantage outweighs the risk of wound infection in diabetic patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 791 consecutive patients (389 diabetic, 402 nondiabetic) with triple-vessel disease who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass using only skeletonized BITAs from 2001 to 2010. We used propensity score matching to match 315 nondiabetic patients with diabetic patients. RESULTS: The groups did not differ significantly regarding 10-year survival (diabetic, 84.2% ± 4.5%; nondiabetic, 80.8% ± 4.7%; p = 0.828) or freedom from major adverse cardiovascular events (diabetic, 73.5% ± 5.2%; nondiabetic, 71.8% ± 5.3%; p = 0.431). Diabetes was not predictive of deep sternal infection (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.23 to 5.31; p = 0.895). Results of stratified competing risks regression analysis showed that the risk of target vessel revascularization in diabetic patients was similar to that of nondiabetic patients (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.16 to 2.80; p = 0.585). CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using pure BITAs produced excellent clinical outcomes in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. This strategy did not increase the incidence of deep sternal infection in diabetic patients. We recommend BITA grafting, which has proven long-term patency, as a strategy of choice in diabetic patients.

Comparison of clinical efficacy and safety between indacaterol and tiotropium in COPD: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Two once-daily inhaled bronchodilators, indacaterol and tiotropium, are widely used as first-line therapy in stable COPD patients. This study was performed to compare the clinical efficacy and safety between indacaterol and tiotropium in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify all published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) at week 12. Four RCTs were eligible for inclusion (three RCTs with moderate-to-severe COPD patients and one RCT with only severe COPD patients). Trough FEV1 at weeks 12 and 26 were not significantly different between indacaterol and tiotropium by the standardized mean difference with 0.014 (95% CI, -0.036, 0.063, I²= 23.5%) and with 0.037 (95% CI, -0.059 to 0.133, I²= 0%) along with differences in means of 0.003L and 0.014L, respectively. Indacaterol and tiotropium also showed similar St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total scores and percentages of patients with SGRQ improvement (≥ 4 units) at week 26. The incidences of nasopharyngitis, serious cardiovascular events, and serious adverse events were not different between indacaterol and tiotropium, while those of cough (OR = 1.68, P < 0.001, and RR = 1.63) and COPD worsening (OR = 1.18, P = 0.003, and RR = 1.12) were higher for indacaterol than tiotropium. However, when one study with only severe COPD patients was removed from the meta-analysis, the difference in the incidence of COPD worsening between indacaterol and tiotropium became non-significant (OR = 1.13, P = 0.204, and RR = 1.09). The clinical efficacy and serious adverse events between indacaterol and tiotropium were equivocal in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Cough is a common complaint associated with indacaterol, and COPD worsening needs to be carefully monitored in severe COPD patients when treated with indacaterol.

Explaining Alberta's rising mesothelioma rates.

Although mesothelioma rates have been rising worldwide, little is known about mesothelioma trends in Alberta. This population-based descriptive study used Alberta Cancer Board Registry data from 1980 to 2004 to develop an age-period-cohort model of male pleural mesothelioma incidence rates over time. Both age and cohort effects are associated with incidence rates. The highest-risk cohort comprised men born between 1930 and 1939, reflecting widespread asbestos use and exposure beginning in the 1940s in Canada. We predict that 1393 Albertan men 40 years and older will die of pleural mesothelioma between 1980 and 2024; 783 (56.2%) of these deaths will occur between 2010 and 2024. The total number of mesothelioma deaths in Alberta will be higher when all age groups, both sexes, and all disease sites are included, with numbers likely peaking sometime between 2015 and 2019. In addition to the ongoing efforts that focus on eliminating asbestos-related disease in Alberta, the challenge is to implement surveillance systems to prevent future epidemics of preventable occupational cancers in Alberta.

A general method for identifying excess revisit rates: the case of hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a description and application of a novel methodology for comparing actual to expected visit rates at the physician level (controlling for patient characteristics) that could be employed in healthcare monitoring and management. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Two fiscal years (1997/1998 and 1998/1999) of health utilization data extracted from linked administrative data sets on a population-based cohort of 13,688 patients (aged 25+ with hypertension) involving 157 physicians. STUDY DESIGN: We re-analyzed data from a previously published retrospective cohort study to develop and apply a new methodology for identifying higher or lower than expected physician visit rates for hypertension. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: We matched each study physician's hypertensive patients on the basis of age, sex, income and co-morbidity to an equal number of control patients drawn from the cohort. We then compared visit rates between the actual practice and the matched control practice. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Although the correlation between the visit rates of the two groups of practices was high (r=.87), there were notable differences in rates, suggesting substantial discretionary practice among physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology outlined in this paper provides a basis for identifying variations in visit levels related to discretionary practice patterns and patient preferences. Deviation from expected visit rates provides a potentially useful measure for performance feedback and quality improvement activities.

Increased continuity of care associated with decreased hospital care and emergency department visits for patients with asthma.

The objective of this study was to determine the association between continuity of care and emergency room visits/hospital care for patients with asthma. A population-based study was conducted using administrative healthcare datasets obtained from Alberta Health and Wellness, Alberta, Canada. The 4-year study period extended from April 1, 1996 to March 31, 2000, and took place at the Palliser Health Region in Alberta, Canada, which has a population of 88,000 people. A population-based sample of 2774 patients, diagnosed with asthma between ages 5 and 45 with two or more office visits for asthma and who lived in the Palliser Health Region for 2 consecutive years during the study period, was studied. The main outcome measure was the association of continuity of care with hospitalizations and emergency room visits for patients with asthma. Continuity of care was the proportion of total physician visits made to the most frequently visited physician. High continuity of care was associated with a decreased risk of an emergency visit (OR = 0.24: 95% CI 0.19-0.29), number of emergency visits (RR = 0.37; 95% CI 0.32-0.42), decreased risk of number of hospitalizations (RR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.54-0.89), and total days in hospital (average difference = 0.77; 95% CI 0.63-0.95), but not with ever hospitalized. High continuity of care was associated with a 60%-75% reduction in emergency room visits and an approximate 25% reduction in number of hospitalizations in patients with asthma. Interventions to improve continuity of care could have the potential to improve care and reduce cost.

The role of proxy information in missing data analysis.

This article investigates the role of proxy data in dealing with the common problem of missing data in clinical trials using repeated measures designs. In an effort to avoid the missing data situation, some proxy information can be gathered. The question is how to treat proxy information, that is, is it always better to utilize proxy information when there are missing data? A model for repeated measures data with missing values is considered and a strategy for utilizing proxy information is developed. Then, simulations are used to compare the power of a test using proxy to simply utilizing all available data. It is concluded that using proxy information can be a useful alternative when such information is available. The implications for various clinical designs are also considered and a data collection strategy for efficiently estimating parameters is suggested.

On group sequential procedures under variance heterogeneity.

In this paper, we consider group sequential procedures for clinical trials under variance heterogeneity. Group sequential procedures typically involve small samples at each interim analysis. We advocate Welch's correction for variance heterogeneity, and present a natural application of the significance level method for such situations. Currently available procedures are based on a large sample method, with no allowance for corrections of heterogeneity. Unless the sample size is large, the results are not valid. On the basis of simulation studies, comparing their abilities to control Type I error rates, we recommend using Welch's correction for sequential trials involving small samples under variance heterogeneity.

Strategies for analysing missing item response data with an application to lung cancer.

Missing data problems persist in many scientific investigations. Although various strategies for analyzing missing data have been proposed, they are mainly limited to data on continuous measurements. In this paper, we focus on implementing some of the available strategies to analyze item response data. In particular, we investigate the effects of popular missing data methods on various missing data mechanisms. We examine large sample behaviors of estimators in a simulation study that evaluates and compares their performance. We use data from a quality of life study with lung cancer patients to illustrate the utility of these methods.

Appropriate antibiotic utilization in seniors prior to hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia is associated with decreased in-hospital mortality.

BACKGROUND: We analysed the association of mortality and prescription of antibiotics prior to hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia. METHODS: We used administrative data (hospital abstracts, physician claims, prescriptions) for seniors (age 61 years and over) for Alberta, Canada from 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1999. RESULTS: Hospitalization of 21 191 seniors occurred during the study period. In about 43% of hospitalizations (n = 9034), a physician was consulted prior to hospital admission. Antibiotics were dispensed to 31% of those with a prior physician visit and in about 72%, the antibiotic choice was deemed appropriate. The odds for mortality were significantly decreased in those with prior physician visits (OR = 0.87, P < 0.01), with any antibiotic prescription (OR = 0.66, P < 0.0001), and with an appropriate antibiotic (OR = 0.68, P = 0.03). The choice of an appropriate antibiotic as opposed to an inappropriate antibiotic resulted in a 2.6% absolute and 38% relative mortality reduction. CONCLUSION: Choosing an appropriate outpatient antibiotic in accordance with published expert opinion guidelines compared with inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions decreased hospital mortality in patients subsequently hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia.

Agreement between patient and proxy assessments of health-related quality of life after stroke using the EQ-5D and Health Utilities Index.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Proxy informants can provide information on patients who are limited in ability to self-assess health-related quality of life (HRQL) after stroke. One alternative is to exclude assessments of such patients and attenuate generalizability. The purpose of this study was to examine patient-proxy agreement on the domains and summary scores of the EQ-5D and Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) after stroke. METHODS: An observational longitudinal cohort of 124 patients hospitalized after ischemic stroke and their family caregivers completed the HRQL measures at baseline and were followed up for 6 months. Patient and proxy agreement was assessed by use of weighted kappa or the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: At baseline, the more observable domains of HRQL demonstrated greater agreement than the more subjective components. Cross-sectional point estimates of agreement were generally acceptable (ICC >0.70) for the EQ-5D Index and HUI3 summary scores when assessed >or=1 month after baseline. Agreement between change scores was generally poor to fair (ICC <0.60), but systematic bias was not observed for the indirect preference-based summary scores between baseline and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that proxy assessments obtained 6 months after stroke are more reliable than those obtained within 2 to 3 weeks after stroke. Although proxy-assessed change scores for indirect preference-based summary scores of the EQ-5D and HUI3 provided suboptimal agreement with patient assessment, limited systematic bias may support their consideration as alternatives to missing data or statistical imputation. Further research into the validity and reliability of proxy assessments is suggested.

Mortality during hospitalisation for pneumonia in Alberta, Canada, is associated with physician volume.

The association of mortality with patient factors (severity of illness, comorbidity), physician factors (specialty training, prehospitalisation visit, in-hospital consultation, volume of patients seen per physician) and healthcare organisation factors (patient-travel distances, regional beds per capita, admitting hospital-bed occupancy, admitting hospital-bed turnover, hospital location, volume of pneumonia cases per hospital) after hospital admission with community-acquired pneumonia was investigated using administrative data from Alberta, Canada from April 1, 1994-March 31, 1999. During the 5-yr study period there were 43,642 pneumonia hospitalisations, with an 11% in-hospital and 26% 1-yr mortality. Patient severity of illness and comorbidity were the strongest predictors of increased mortality. Physicians with the highest in-hospital pneumonia patient volume (>27 patients x yr(-1)) cared for patients with greater severity/comorbidity, but with decreased odds of in-hospital mortality, compared with the lowest volume physicians (less than seven patients per year). The effects of internal medicine specialist or subspecialist care were mixed, with a reduction in deaths for the first 72 h and an increase in in-hospital deaths. Prehospitalisation visit by a physician was associated with decreased mortality. Healthcare organisation factors were the least strong predictor of mortality, demonstrating an effect only for 1-yr mortality in those discharged alive from hospital. Admissions to larger volume or metropolitan hospitals were associated with a decrease in mortality. Severity of illness and comorbidity had the strongest association with mortality. The first association of high-volume physician and pre-hospital care with decreased in-hospital mortality for community-acquired pneumonia is reported.

Variation in management of community-acquired pneumonia requiring admission to Alberta, Canada hospitals.

Previous studies have shown small area variation in the rate of admission to hospital for patients with community-acquired pneumonia. We determined the rates of admission and length of stay for patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Alberta and the factors influencing admission rates and length of stay. Using hospital abstracts, hospital admissions for community-acquired pneumonia from 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1999 were compared. We classified Alberta hospitals according to geographical regions, by the number of beds, and by number of community-acquired pneumonia cases. There were 12,000 annual hospital discharges for community-acquired pneumonia costing over $40 million per year. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 12% and the 1 year mortality rate was 26%. Compared with rural hospitals, regional and metropolitan hospitals admitted patients with greater severity of illness as demonstrated by greater in-hospital mortality, cost per case and comorbidity. Age-sex adjusted hospital discharge rates were significantly below the provincial average in both urban regions. Hospital discharge rates for residents in all rural regions and 4 of 5 regions with a regional hospital were significantly higher than the provincial average. After adjusting for comorbidity, the relative risk for a longer length of stay was 22% greater in regional hospitals and about 30% greater in urban hospitals compared to rural hospitals. Seasonal variation in the admission rate was evident, with higher rates in the winter of each year. We conclude that rural hospitals would be likely to benefit from a protocol to help with the admission decision and urban hospitals from a programme to reduce length of stay.