Impact of Housing Status on Surgical Management and Inpatient Outcomes of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia in the United States

Abstract

Background

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) represents the most severe form of peripheral artery disease. While previous studies have focused on gender and racial disparities, there is lack of evidence regarding the impact of housing status. The aim of this analysis was to identify disparities in inpatient management and outcomes of CLTI based on housing status.

Methods

In this retrospective, descriptive study, we analyzed patients admitted with CLTI who underwent revascularization, as identified by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification codes, between 2016 and 2021, using the National Inpatient Sample database. The patients were stratified by their housing status and a detailed, propensity-matched analysis was conducted to compare the demographics, comorbidities, mortality rates, types of intervention, resource utilization, and inpatient outcomes.

Results

During the study, 2,667,294 patients were admitted with CLTI, and 17% (463,435) underwent revascularization. Among these, 0.4% (1,790) was unhoused. Males were overrepresented in the unhoused group (83.5% vs. 62.5%, P < 0.001). Unhoused patients were more likely to receive endovascular revascularization (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.77, 0.45–0.90, P = 0.003) but less likely to undergo open surgical intervention (AOR 0.64, 0.45–0.90, P = 0.010). They were also more likely to undergo aortoiliac interventions, while housed patients underwent more distal interventions. The mean adjusted length of stay was 4 days longer and inflation-adjusted costs were $8,501 higher for unhoused patients (P < 0.001). Unhoused patients were also more likely to leave against medical advice and be transferred to skilled nursing facilities.

Conclusions

This study highlights significant disparities in CLTI management and outcomes between housed and unhoused patients, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address these inequities.