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. 2021 Apr;75(4):e13837.
doi: 10.1111/ijcp.13837. Epub 2020 Nov 29.

Inpatient burden and mortality of heatstroke in the United States

Wisit Kaewput  1 , Charat Thongprayoon  2 , Tananchai Petnak  3 , Liam D Cato  4 , Api Chewcharat  2 , Boonphiphop Boonpheng  5 , Tarun Bathini  6 , Saraschandra Vallabhajosyula  7 , Wisit Cheungpasitporn  2
Affiliations

Inpatient burden and mortality of heatstroke in the United States

Wisit Kaewput et al. Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess inpatient prevalence, characteristics, outcomes, and resource utilisation of hospitalisation for heatstroke in the United States. Additionally, this study aimed to explore factors associated with in-hospital mortalities of heatstroke.

Methods: The 2003-2014 National Inpatient Sample database was used to identify hospitalised patients with a principal diagnosis of heatstroke. The inpatient prevalence, clinical characteristics, in-hospital treatments, outcomes, length of hospital stay, and hospitalisation cost were studied. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

Results: A total of 3372 patients were primarily admitted for heatstroke, accounting for an overall inpatient prevalence of heatstroke amongst hospitalised patients of 36.3 cases per 1 000 000 admissions in the United States with an increasing trend during the study period (P < .001). Age 40-59 was the most prevalent age group. During the hospital stay, 20% required mechanical ventilation, and 2% received renal replacement therapy. Rhabdomyolysis was the most common complication. Renal failure was the most common end-organ failure, followed by neurological, respiratory, metabolic, hematologic, circulatory, and liver systems. The in-hospital mortality rate of heatstroke hospitalisation was 5% with a decreasing trend during the study period (P < .001). The presence of end-organ failure was associated with increased in-hospital mortality, whereas more recent years of hospitalisation was associated with decreased in-hospital mortality. The median length of hospital stay was 2 days. The median hospitalisation cost was $17 372.

Conclusion: The inpatient prevalence of heatstroke in the United States increased, while the in-hospital mortality of heatstroke decreased.

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References

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