Clinical characteristics, outcome, and costs among patients in a dermatological intensive care unit: A single-center...

Dermatological conditions can become extremely serious and cause life-threatening situations for affected patients, thereby necessitating intensive care. However, data regarding the specialized dermatology intensive care unit remain scarce. We conducted a retrospective analysis of electronic medical records from July 2017 to September 2023, covering 825 patients admitted to the dermatology intensive care unit at Huashan Hospital, one of China's largest tertiary hospitals and the only facility in the country equipped with a dedicated dermatology intensive care unit. The median (interquartile range) patient age was 60.0 (43.0-72.0) years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.4. The predominant diagnoses were severe cutaneous adverse reactions to drugs (29.2%), bullous skin diseases (18.4%), and psoriasis (16.5%). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 0.36%. The median (interquartile range) length of stay was 11.0 (7.0-15.0) days, and the median (interquartile range) total cost per patient was $4196 ($2655-7278). Analysis indicated that the length of stay and total hospitalization costs were primarily influenced by the main diagnosis and comorbidities. This study provides insights into the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and economic implications of managing severe dermatoses in a specialized intensive care setting, highlighting the significant impact of comorbidities on resource utilization.