Direct Medical Costs of Acute Pancreatitis Hospitalizations in the United States

OBJECTIVES: To determine the direct medical costs of hospitalizations for acute pancreatitis in the United States and analyze the demographic characteristics of hospitalized patients. METHODS: We searched the 2003 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-National Inpatient Sample for hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. These were analyzed with respect to patient demographics, hospitalization rates, and total hospital charges and costs. RESULTS: The estimated total cost for acute pancreatitis admissions was 2. 2 billion (95% confidence interval CI, 2. 0 billion-2. 3 billion) at a mean cost per hospitalization of 9870 (95% CI, 9300-10, 400), and a mean cost per hospital day of 1670 (95% CI, 1620-1720). Costs per hospitalization were higher in urban hospitals, teaching hospitals, and for patients older than 65 years, based on a longer length of stay (LOS). The hospitalization rate was 0. 52 per 1000 US population (95% CI, 0. 48-0. 56) for whites versus 0. 76 per 1000 (95% CI, 0. 65-0. 87) for blacks. CONCLUSIONS: Acute pancreatitis hospitalizations cost more than 2 billion annually, and certain population groups (blacks and older patients) have disproportionately high hospitalization rates. This study highlights the need for prevention efforts, particularly targeting high-risk groups, and for further studies to identify cost effective treatment strategies for acute pancreatitis.