Factors associated with hospital readmissions among patients with COVID-19: A single-center experience

Abstract

Identify factors associated with readmission after an index hospital admission for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in a single center serving an underserved and predominantly minority population. This retrospective descriptive study included 275 patients who tested COVID-19 positive via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay at our institution and who survived the index hospitalization. The main outcomes were 1- and 6-month readmission rates after an index hospitalization for COVID-19. The mortality rate among the readmitted patients was also determined. Factors independently associated with readmission were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. A final sample of 275 patients was included. The mean age was 64.69 ± 14.64 (SD), 133 (48%) were female and 194 (70%) were African American. Their chronic medical conditions included hypertension 203 (74%) and diabetes mellitus 121 (44%). After the hospitalization, 1-month readmission rate was 7.6%, while 6-month readmission rate was 24%. Nine percent of patients who were readmitted subsequently died. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was significantly associated with 6-month readmission odds ratio (OR), 2.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–4.44; p = 0.039) after adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, and comorbidities. Readmissions were due to cardiac, respiratory, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with increased readmission OR, 3.16 (95% CI: 1.01–9.88; p = 0.048). No significant difference was found between inflammatory markers or clinical outcomes during the index hospitalization among patients who were readmitted compared to those who were not. A significant number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 may be readmitted. The presence of CAD is independently associated with high rates of 6-month readmission.