Incidence and predictors of hospital readmission in children presenting with severe anaemia in Uganda and Malawi: a secondary analysis of TRACT trial data

Connon, Roisin, George, Elizabeth C., Olupot-Olupot, Peter, Kiguli, Sarah, Chagaluka, George, Alaroker, Florence, Opoka, Robert O., Mpoya, Ayub, Walsh, Kevin, Engoru, Charles, Nteziyaremye, Julius, Mallewa, Macpherson, Kennedy, Neil, Nakuya, Margaret, Namayanja, Cate, Nabawanuka, Eva, Sennyondo, Tonny, Amorut, Denis, Williams Musika, C., Bates, Imelda ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0862-8199, Boele van Hensbroek, M., Evans, Jennifer A., Uyoga, Sophie, Williams, Thomas N., Frost, Gary, Gibb, Diana M., Maitland, Kathryn, Walker, A. Sarah, Kiguli, S., Opoka, R. O., Nabawanuka, E., Kayaga, J., Williams Musika, C., Kadama, E., Mbwali, I., Nuwabaine, L., Nakikwaku, R., Nsubuga, J., Mpande, K., Adoo, R., Ouma, O., Adia, N. K., Olupot-Olupot, P., Nteziyaremye, J., Namanyanga, C., Passi, G., Sennyondo, T., Adong, R., Okalebo, C. B., Atimango, E., Mwamula, S., Kapsindet, J., Muhindo, G. Kiluli R., Thembo, G. Masifa N., Odong, G., Engoru, C., Aloroker, F., Nakuya, M., Amorut, D., Ariima, M., Itipe, M., Atim, M. G., Abeno, M., Amede, B., Olupot, M., Okwi, S., Kulume, M. G., Among, G., Onyas, P., Achipa, E. D., Maitland, K., Mpoya, A., Maitha, P., Uyoga, S., Williams, T. N., Macharia, A., Mallewa, M., Chagaluka, G., Chimalizeni, Y., Kennedy, N., Kumwenda, F., Nkosi, E., Sochera, T., Malenga, A., Gushu, B., Phiri, T., Chisale, A., Mitole, N., Chokani, E., Munthali, A., Maitland, K., Williams, T. N., Frost, G., Walsheto, K., Gibb, D. M., George, E. C., Thomason, M., Baptiste, D., McCabe, L., Walker, A. S., Ali, A., Khamis, K., Madula, M., Abongo, G., Heydermann, R., Bates, I., Urban, B., Boele van Hensbroek, M., Kyomuhendo, F., Nakalanzi, S., Chabuka, J., Mkandawire, N., Evans, J. A., Gibb, D. M., Fitzgerald, F., Molyneux, E., Murphy, I. Lubega M., Kazembe, P., Crawley, J., Peto, T., Musoke, P., Todd, J., Mirembe, G. and Tenu, F. (2021) 'Incidence and predictors of hospital readmission in children presenting with severe anaemia in Uganda and Malawi: a secondary analysis of TRACT trial data'. BMC Public Health, Vol 21, Issue 1, p. 1480.

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Abstract

Background: Severe anaemia (haemoglobin < 6 g/dL) is a leading cause of recurrent hospitalisation in African children. We investigated predictors of readmission in children hospitalised with severe anaemia in the TRACT trial (ISRCTN84086586) in order to identify potential future interventions.
Methods: Secondary analyses of the trial examined 3894 children from Uganda and Malawi surviving a hospital episode of severe anaemia. Predictors of all-cause readmission within 180 days of discharge were identified using multivariable regression with death as a competing risk. Groups of children with similar characteristics were identified using hierarchical clustering.
Results: Of the 3894 survivors 682 (18%) were readmitted; 403 (10%) had ≥2 re-admissions over 180 days. Three main causes of readmission were identified: severe anaemia (n = 456), malaria (n = 252) and haemoglobinuria/dark urine syndrome (n = 165). Overall, factors increasing risk of readmission included HIV-infection (hazard ratio 2.48
(95% CI 1.63–3.78), p < 0.001); ≥2 hospital admissions in the preceding 12 months (1.44(1.19–1.74), p < 0.001); history of transfusion (1.48(1.13–1.93), p = 0.005); and missing ≥1 trial medication dose (proxy for care quality) (1.43 (1.21–1.69), p < 0.001). Children with uncomplicated severe anaemia (Hb 4-6 g/dL and no severity features),
who never received a transfusion (per trial protocol) during the initial admission had a substantially lower risk of readmission (0.67(0.47–0.96), p = 0.04). Malaria (among children with no prior history of transfusion) (0.60(0.47–0.76), p < 0.001); younger-age (1.07 (1.03–1.10) per 1 year younger, p < 0.001) and known sickle cell disease (0.62(0.46–0.82), p = 0.001) also decreased risk of readmission. For anaemia re-admissions, gross splenomegaly and enlarged spleen increased risk by 1.73(1.23–2.44) and 1.46(1.18–1.82) respectively compared to no splenomegaly.
Clustering identified four groups of children with readmission rates from 14 to 20%. The cluster with the highest readmission rate was characterised by very low haemoglobin (mean 3.6 g/dL). Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) predominated in two clusters associated with chronic repeated admissions or severe, acute presentations in largely undiagnosed SCD. The final cluster had high rates of malaria (78%), severity signs and very low platelet count, consistent with acute severe
malaria.
Conclusions: Younger age, HIV infection and history of previous hospital admissions predicted increased risk of readmission. However, no obvious clinical factors for intervention were identified. As missing medication doses was highly predictive, attention to care related factors may be important.
Trial registration: ISRCTN ISRCTN84086586.
Keywords: Severe anaemia, Readmission

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 320 Child Welfare. Child Health Services. WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > Hematologic Diseases. Immunologic Factors. Blood Banks > WH 155 Anemia WS Pediatrics > Diseases of Children and Adolescents > By System > WS 300 Hemic and lymphatic system
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11481-6
Depositing User:	Rachel Dominguez
Date Deposited:	19 Aug 2021 13:35
Last Modified:	19 Aug 2021 13:35
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/18697

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