Graft‐versus‐host disease in patients with bone marrow transplants: A retrospective study analyzing outcomes and healthcare burden in US hospitals
Authors: Patel Rushin , Onyechi Afoma , Ohemeng‐Dapaah Jessica , Patel Mrunal , Patel Darshil , Patel Zalak , Chen Yu‐Han , Yang Chieh 
Published: August 2024

Background

Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is a recognized complication among individuals undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT). There is a requirement for supplementary data regarding the in‐patient outcomes of GVHD in individuals who have undergone BMT. Our analysis seeks to assess the healthcare burden and outcomes associated with GVHD in hospitalized patients who have undergone BMT.

Method

In this retrospective study, we used data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database spanning from 2016 to 2019. Utilizing ICD‐10 codes, we distinguished hospitalizations related to BMT and grouped them into two categories: those with GVHD and those without GVHD. Our areas of focus included in‐hospital mortality, length of stay, charges, and associations related to GVHD. Unadjusted odds ratios/coefficients were computed through univariable analysis, followed by adjusted odds ratios (aORs)/coefficients from multivariable analysis that considered potential confounding factors.

Results

From 2016 to 2019, data were collected from 13,999 hospitalizations with bone marrow transplants. Among them, 836 had GVHD cases. Patient characteristics showed slight differences in mean age and demographics between the two groups, with GVHD patients having a mean age of 51.61 years and higher percentages of males and whites. Analyzing outcomes, patients with GVHD experienced significantly longer hospital stays (41.4 days vs. 21.3 days) and higher total hospital charges ($824,058 vs. $335,765). Adjusting for confounding factors, GVHD posed a substantial risk. The aOR for mortality in GVHD hospitalizations was 7.20 (95% CI: 5.54–9.36, p < .001). The coefficient for the length of stay was 19.36 days (95% CI: 17.29–21.42, p < .001), and the coefficient for total hospital charges was $453,733 (95% CI: $396,577 to $510,889, p < .001) in GVHD cases. Furthermore, GVHD in patients was associated with elevated risks of various medical conditions. The aORs for sepsis, pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, intubation and mechanical ventilation, Clostridium difficile infection, and acute kidney injury (AKI) in GVHD patients were 2.79 (95% CI: 2.28–3.41, p < .001), 3.30 (95% CI: 2.57–4.24, p < .001), 5.10 (95% CI: 4.01–6.49, p < .001), 4.88 (95% CI: 3.75–6.34, p < .001), 1.45 (95% CI: 1.13–1.86, p = .003), and 3.57 (95% CI: 2.97–4.29, p < .001).

Conclusion

GVHD in individuals undergoing BMT is linked to elevated mortality rates, prolonged hospitalization, and higher healthcare costs. Moreover, they face a significantly increased risk of developing complications, such as sepsis, pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, C. difficile infection, and AKI. These results underscore the critical need for vigilant monitoring and effective GVHD management to improve patient outcomes and reduce the complications associated with BMT. Nevertheless, further prospective studies are essential to obtain a more profound understanding and a comprehensive assessment of outcomes in these hospitalized patients.