August 30, 2022

Patients with Multiple Sclerosis More Likely to be Hospitalized for Preventable Causes

A new visual abstract developed by the Department of Family Medicine shows that more efforts are needed to encourage and facilitate the use of preventive care among people with MS.

visual abstract showing that patients with MS are more likely to be hospitalized for preventable causes

 

According to a study developed by researchers affiliated with the Investigating Disability factors and promoting Environmental Access for healthy Living Rehabilitation Research Training Center (IDEAL RRTC) individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) report barriers to accessing care, including preventive services. IDEAL RRTC researchers utilized the Optum® Clinformatics® Data Mart (2007–2017) to identify 6198 individuals with an MS diagnosis and counterparts without MS for comparison.

The rate of any Potentially Preventable Hospitalization (PPH) among people with MS was double that of those without MS (131.6 vs 62.5 per 10,000). Individuals with MS had 65% higher odds of hospitalization for pneumonia (OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.30). The researchers observed similar results for urinary tract infections (OR=4.90, 95% CI: 2.51, 9.57). Receiving preventive services, namely cholesterol screening (OR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.60, 0.95) and annual wellness visits were associated with lower odds of any PPH (OR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.76).

For more information: Potentially preventable hospitalizations and use of preventive services among people with multiple sclerosis: Large cohort study, USA.

This research was developed in part under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR #90RTHF0001-01-00).