Readmissions among People Living with HIV Admitted for Hypertensive Emergency

People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hypertensive emergency (HTNE), a complication of hypertension with potentially serious health implications, has high healthcare utilization. We attempted to determine the association between HIV status and risk for 30-day readmission after index hospitalization for HTNE.

We used the Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify all of the admissions during 2010-2017 with a primary discharge diagnosis of HTNE. Admissions were stratified by HIV status and comparisons were made with the χ² test. We investigated predictors of all-cause 30-day readmission via multivariable logistic regression.

A total of 612,854 hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of HTNE were identified, and 4115 (0.7%) were HIV positive. There was a total of 43,937 (7.16%) 30-day readmissions, and the rate was higher in regard to positive HIV status (29.8% vs 15.0%; P < 0.001). Renal failure was the most frequent reason for HIV readmissions and the second most frequent reason for non-HIV readmissions (15.6% vs 10.3%; P < 0.001). In contrast, heart failure was the most frequent reason for non-HIV readmissions and the second most frequent reason for HIV readmissions (10.3% vs 11.9%; P = 0.234). There was a higher median cost for HIV readmissions in comparison to non-HIV readmissions ($7660 vs $7490; P < 0.001). Finally, HIV was attributed to 40.6% increased odds of readmission after adjusting for pertinent clinical and demographic factors (P < 0.001).

HIV-positive status is associated with an increased risk for 30-day readmission after index hospitalization for HTNE.