Analysis of risk factors associated with average hospitalization duration and cost in pulmonary abscess patients

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to explore the differences of average hospitalization duration and cost in various groups of pulmonary abscess patients. Methods: The hospitalization durations and costs of 190 patients with a pulmonary abscess in our department during the past five years were retrospectively analyzed.Results: Regardless of the patient’s sex or age, the average hospitalization duration of the pulmonary abscess patients was longer than that of the overall patient population by 9 days (P < 0.05). Among the hospitalized patients with a pulmonary abscess, the average hospitalization duration of male patients was 5.3 days longer than that of female patients. Also, the average inpatient cost was 15,726.4 RMB higher than that of female patients (P < 0.05). Moreover, the existence of underlying diseases was associated with a significantly longer hospitalization duration among inpatients with a pulmonary abscess (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the patients with concomitant symptoms had a significantly longer hospitalization duration than those without concomitant symptoms (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The hospitalization duration was longer for patients with a pulmonary abscess compared to those without one in the Respiratory Department of our hospital during the same period. In addition, the male sex as well as the coexistence of underlying conditions and concomitant symptoms were risk factors for a prolonged hospitalization stay among patients with a pulmonary abscess. The male sex was also a risk factor for a higher hospitalization cost among pulmonary abscess patients. Our findings suggest the importance of early detection and good control of basic diseases for certain populations of pulmonary abscess patients.