Abstract
BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) predisposes patients to intestinal obstruction (IO), a severe complication. This study examined the outcomes and healthcare utilization of patients with CD and IO using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). METHODS: This retrospective analysis of NIS data from 2016-2020 compared hospitalized adult CD patients with and without IO. Outcomes studied include in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), hospitalization charges, and the requirement for intervention, using regression models for adjustment. RESULTS: Among the 304,149 CD patients, 27,024 had IO. These patients experienced higher in-hospital mortality (3.9% vs. 1.8% for non-IO, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-2.89; P=0.02), longer mean LOS (7.23 vs. 4.53 days for non-IO, P<0.001), and higher average hospitalization charges ($71,775 vs. $43,717 for non-IO, P<0.001). Additionally, they had higher odds of requiring admission to the intensive care unit (aOR 1.99, 95%CI 1.45-2.73; P<0.001), intubation (aOR 2.53, 95%CI 1.74-3.68; P<0.001), balloon dilation (aOR 1.50, 95%CI 1.132-1.98; P=0.005), or intestinal resection (aOR 2.29, 95%CI 2.11-2.49; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CD patients with IO face considerable challenges, including greater mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher hospitalization costs. The need for intensive care and surgical interventions highlights the urgent need for improved management and treatment strategies to enhance outcomes for these patients.