FRI045 Impact Of Morbid Obesity On Lupus Hospitalizations: A Nationwide Analysis
Authors: Sami Faria , Sami Shahzad Ahmed , Patolia Kirtan N , Ayub Tooba 
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: F. Sami: None. S. Sami: None. K.N. Patolia: None. T. Ayub: None.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for Systemic Lupus erythematosus(SLE) and reduces quality of life in SLE patients because of disease activity and damage accrual. We aim to define the epidemiology of obese SLE patients, impact of morbid obesity on lupus hospitalizations & assess healthcare economic burden from obesity. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to obtain data. Data was optimized to reflect national estimates. Patients hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of SLE with and without morbid obesity as a comorbidity were obtained from 2016-2019 NIS. Epidemiological characteristics were analyzed. Primary outcomes of mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS), & total hospital charges(THC) were compared for both groups. Univariate logistic analysis was used to identify confounders and adjusted odds ratio was calculated using the multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Of 721,090 SLE hospitalizations, 7.96% had obesity as a comorbidity. For obese SLE patients, mean age was significantly lower than nonobese SLE patients(51.94 years [SD 13.86] vs 52.55 years [SD 17.30]). There were significantly more females (93.1% vs. 88%), were from age group of 40-60 years (47.5% vs 36.3%), were caucasians (50.64% vs 48.62%) and blacks (34.5% vs 30.7%)Obesity was less frequent in Hispanic and Asian lupus patients (odds ratio [OR] 0.79 and 0.33, respectively). It was significantly more in low socioeconomic SLE patients (income $1-$55,999) (38.18% vs. 33.87%) and less prevalent in high socioeconomic class with income &gt; $94000 (13.3% vs 49.56%). Mortality rate was significantly higher for obese SLE patients (1.54 % vs. 1.20%, OR 1.03). Obese group had mean LOS 5.79 days vs. 5.42 days (p-value 0.009) and higher THC ($66265 vs $63742, p-value &lt; 0.001). Charlson comorbidity index was higher for obese SLE (3.33 vs 2.98, p-value &lt; 0.001). Obese SLE patients were significantly more common to have sepsis (10.24% vs 8.67%, OR 1.20), heart failure (6.50% vs 5.05%, OR 1.31) pulmonary embolism/deep vein thrombosis (PE/DVT) (3.86% vs. 2.69%,OR 1.45) and respiratory failure (17.91% vs 12.68%, OR 1.50), with p-value &lt; 0.001 for all.It was not an independent predictor of mortality for SLE patients. Other significant predictors of mortality identified for SLE patients were age (OR 1.02), Charlson comorbidity index (OR 1.06), renal failure (OR 2.75), sepsis (OR 2.74), PE/DVT (OR 2.22), respiratory failure (OR 12.75), and stroke (OR 1.82), most of which were more common with obesity. Conclusion: Obesity with SLE is more widely seen in females, relatively younger age, low socioeconomic class, Caucasians and African-Americans. Obese SLE patients have greater mortality, THC & LOS, reflecting more healthcare burden. Respiratory failure, stroke, sepsis, PE/DVT and heart failure are more common in obese patients. Therefore, weight optimization therapies for SLE may improve outcomes.

Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023