444-P: Rates and Reasons for 30-Day Readmissions in Hospitalizations among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Who Underwent Below-Knee Amputation: Analysis of the Nationwide Readmissions Database

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the commonest cause of nontraumatic amputation worldwide. With increasing prevalence of DM, there has been an increase in the rate of below the knee amputations (BKA), usually in the setting of severe soft tissue infections and osteomyelitis. Readmissions are often related to prior admissions and account for significant and usually preventable healthcare cost burden. This study assessed the rate and reasons for 30-day readmissions (30DR) in DM patients with BKA with the aim of identifying preventable factors for readmissions. Methods: The National Readmission Database for 2018 was queried for hospitalizations involving adult patients with DM who had BKA from January 1 to November 30, 2018. Elective and traumatic admissions were excluded. Outcomes assessed were 30DR rates, mortality, length of stay (LOS), hospitalization costs (THC) and top principal diagnosis for readmitted patients following BKA. Results: A total of 15,090 hospitalizations involved adults with DM who had DKA as index admissions. The 30DR rate was 13.79%. The most common reasons for readmission were sepsis unspecified (18.4%), hypertension with CKD and heart failure (7.0%), DM angiopathy with gangrene (4.2%), acute renal failure (3.0%), and hypertension with heart failure (2.1%). Readmission was associated with higher odds of mortality (6.1% vs. 4.3%, OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.11 - 1.89, p=0.007) compared to the index admission. In patients with DM with BKA, readmissions accounted for a cumulative 18,078 days of hospitalization, which cost patients over $40 million within the period. Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients with DM with BKA are readmitted for various complications. 30DR is associated with higher mortality and result in a significant cost burden to the patient and healthcare system. Mitigating the rate or readmissions would significantly improve patient outcomes. Disclosure C. D. Corpuz: None. H. Shaka: None. M. Ramirez: None. M. C. Aguilera: None. S. T. Yap: None. A. Kichloo: None. M. Murthi: None. R. Atluri: None. S. Gonakoti: None.