The Effect of Sickle Cell Disease on Seizure-Related Hospitalizations: An Analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2021.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of sickle cell disease (SCD) as a comorbidity on seizure-related hospitalizations, with a focus on demographic disparities, clinical characteristics, and outcomes.  Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized the 2021 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify patients admitted with a principal diagnosis of seizures. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the presence or absence of SCD as a comorbidity. Primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, while secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay and total hospital charges. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models were used to adjust for confounders.  Results: Among 263,625 patients hospitalized for seizures, 434 (0.17%) had a comorbid diagnosis of SCD. Patients with SCD were younger (mean age: 39.02 vs. 44.1 years, p < 0.05) and predominantly African American (78.82% vs. 22.76%, p < 0.05). They also had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score and were more likely to have an ischemic stroke (4.44% vs. 1.16%, p < 0.05). However, after adjusting for confounders, SCD was not significantly associated with an increased in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.22-11.44, p = 0.637), length of stay (p = 0.825), or total hospital charges (p = 0.827).  Conclusion: Despite notable demographic and clinical differences, the presence of SCD as a comorbidity did not significantly impact in-hospital mortality, length of stay, or hospital charges in seizure-related hospitalizations.