Risk factors and incidence of 90-day readmission for diverticulitis after an acute diverticulitis index admission.

Objectives: Acute diverticulitis is the third most frequent cause of gastrointestinal admission in the USA. We sought to determine the incidence of recurrence within a 90-day period and determine its impact on mortality and hospital utilization.

Methods: Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) 2016 was used to identify patients ≥ 18 years old with a principal diagnosis of acute diverticulitis who were readmitted for recurrence within 90 days. The primary outcome was 90-day readmission rate for acute diverticulitis, and predictors were analyzed using a multivariate regression analysis. Secondary outcomes were mortality and hospital resource utilization.

Results: A total of 171,238 admissions were included which met inclusion criteria. Ninety-day readmission for acute diverticulitis after index diverticulitis hospitalization was 8.9%. Readmissions were associated with in-hospital additional total cost of $444,726,560 and 65,685 total hospital days and mortality rate of 4.69% compared with mortality rate of 5.20% on index hospitalization (p < 0.01). In multivariable analysis, increased odds of readmission were associated with disposition against medical advice (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.31-2.33), younger age (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.98-0.99), and shorter length of stay (OR 0.99, CI 0.98-0.99).

Conclusions: Acute diverticulitis is frequently associated with recurrence within 90 days and bears a substantial financial and mortality burden. Targeted interventions are needed to minimize readmissions in identified subpopulations.