Predictors and reasons for unplanned early rehospitalization in lung transplant recipients: a retrospective cohort study.

Abstract

Background: Unplanned early rehospitalization (UER) is common among lung transplant recipients, but its incidence varies among lung transplant centers. This study aimed to analyze the incidence, causes and predictors of UER in a lung transplant center in China and to explore the impact of preoperative nutritional risk status, postoperative duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in the intensive care unit on unplanned readmission in lung transplant patients.

Methods: This study was conducted in one of the largest lung transplant centers in China. We collected demographic and clinical data from lung transplant recipients who underwent transplantation and were discharged in 2022. Predictors of UER within 30 days after discharge were analyzed through a retrospective cohort study.

Results: A total of 99 patients were included in this study. The incidence of UER was 29.3%. The three most common reasons were chest distress with shortness of breath (38%), cough with expectoration (21%), and fever (21%). Multivariate analysis revealed that the postoperative MV duration [odds ratio (OR) =1.027; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.008-1.046; P=0.004] and preoperative Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) score (OR =1.615; 95% CI: 1.189-2.194; P=0.002) were significant risk factors for UER.

Conclusions: Patients with higher preoperative NRS-2002 scores and longer postoperative MV duration had a greater risk of UER within 30 days after initial discharge. More research is needed to determine whether improving preoperative nutritional risk status and shortening the duration of MV can reduce UER in patients.