Prolonged Hospital Stay in Hypertensive Patients: Retrospective Analysis of Risk Factors and Interactions

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Clinical Medicine
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Arterial hypertension (HT) is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
• Prolonged hospital stays (LOHS) in HT patients strain healthcare resources.
• Identifying predictors of LOHS is crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze biochemical and clinical factors associated with prolonged LOHS in hospitalized HT patients.
• To identify key predictors and interactions influencing LOHS in this population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 356 adult HT patients from January 2017 to June 2021.
• Data included demographics, BMI, comorbidities, and laboratory parameters.
• Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of LOHS (≥4 days) and interactions.

Main Results:

• Lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) predicted prolonged LOHS.
• Each 1 mg/dL decrease in LDL-c increased LOHS odds by 1.21% (p < 0.001).
• Each 1 mg/L increase in hsCRP increased LOHS odds by 3.80% (p = 0.004).
• An interaction between sex and heart failure (HF) was significant: female patients with HF had 3.995-fold higher odds of prolonged LOHS (p < 0.001), with no significant difference in males.

Conclusions:

• Key predictors of prolonged LOHS in HT patients are lower LDL-c, elevated hsCRP, and the sex-heart failure interaction.
• Female HT patients with HF face significantly higher odds of prolonged hospitalization.
• These findings highlight specific patient subgroups requiring targeted management strategies to reduce LOHS.