Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Utilization and Inpatient Outcomes in Elderly Patients with Dementia: Socioeconomic Status Analysis of National Matched Cohorts

Abstract INTRODUCTION Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is safe and beneficial in elderly patients. However, the association of dementia, which is a growing cause of mortality in the elderly, remains unexplored. We aim to understand the impact of dementia when EGD is utilized, in the elderly population group. METHODS We utilized the 2020 National Inpatient Sample to investigate records admitted with EGD utilization identified through ICD-10 CM codes. We divided records by the presence of dementia. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for predefined outcomes were determined using multivariable logistic and linear regression models, adjusting for comorbidities. The primary outcome assessed was inpatient mortality, while secondary outcomes included cost and length of stay, as well as other inpatient complications. RESULTS We identified 507,829 hospitalizations with ages more than 60. The mean age was 74.5 and males constituted 49.9%. In a survey multivariable logistic and linear regression model adjusting for patient and hospital factors, the presence of dementia is associated with lower inpatient mortality (aOR 0.79, 95%CI (0.68, 0.91), p = 0.002), lower hospitalization costs (beta coefficient -1,958, 95%CI (-2,653, -1,353), p <0.001), lower mechanical ventilation usage (aOR 0.87, 95%CI(0.78, 0.97), p < 0.001) but higher odds of mental status change (aOR 2.24, 95%CI (2.09, 2.40), p < 0.001) and longer length of stay (beta coefficient 0.52, 95%CI (0.30, 0.74), p <0.001),. Post-propensity matching revealed similar patterns. CONCLUSION The presence of dementia is associated with a lower risk of inpatient mortality, and other clinical outcomes, in hospitalization with EGD utilizations. Etiologies behind this relationship should be explored to understand this inverse relationship.