Celiac disease hospitalizations: an emerging challenge in the United States

This study aimed to assess the trends and characteristics of celiac disease (CeD) hospitalizations in the United States (US).

The National Inpatient Sample was analyzed from 2007-2017 to identify all adult hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of CeD. Demographic trends, associations, and other aspects of CeD hospitalizations were analyzed. SAS 9.4 was used for statistical analysis and P-values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.

From 2007-2017, we noted an increasing trend of CeD hospitalizations from 19,385 in 2007 to 38,395 in 2017 (P-trend <0.001). The mean age was 57.85 years, with a declining trend. Females and patients with a Charlson Comorbidity Index score ≥3 had a rising trend of CeD hospitalizations from 70.68% in 2007 to 73% in 2017 (P-trend <0.001) and from 16.96% in 2007 to 26.59% in 2017 (P-trend <0.001), respectively. Additionally, a White predominance was seen in the study cohort. Furthermore, for CeD hospitalizations, all-cause inpatient mortality increased from 1.30% in 2007 to 1.58% in 2017 (P-trend <0.001) and the mean total hospital charge increased from $26,299 in 2007 to $49,282 in 2017 (P-trend <0.001). However, we noted a decline in the mean length of stay (LOS) from 4.88 days in 2007 to 4.59 days in 2017 (P-trend=0.0015) and rates of esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed from 2.09% in 2007 to 1.89% in 2017 (P-trend <0.001).

We noted a rising trend in hospitalizations, inpatient mortality, and hospital costs for CeD hospitalizations in the US; however, inpatient EGDs performed and mean LOS showed a decline.