Abstract
Background and Objectives: Eosinophilic lung diseases (ELD) encompass disorders with an abnormally high number of polymorphonuclear eosinophils in the lungs. Presentation severity can range from low-grade fever and cough to life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Due to the rarity of these conditions, no large sample studies have been performed to assess the characteristics of patients with pulmonary eosinophilia. Materials and Methods: Patients admitted with a diagnosis of pulmonary eosinophilia between the years 2016 and 2020 were extracted from the largest inpatient US database, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Patients under the age of eighteen and those with diabetic ketoacidosis were excluded. Baseline demographic characteristics and medical comorbidities were evaluated for individuals admitted with pulmonary eosinophilia depending on intubation requirement. The primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, intubation, and length of stay (LOS). Results: 3784 records were extracted, among which 384 patients required intubation. Patients who required intubation had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (23.9% vs. 1.2% p < 0.0001%) and a significantly more prolonged hospital stay (19 days vs. 6 days p < 0.001) compared to patients who did not need intubation. Factors associated with mortality in the intubated group included increasing age (OR: 1.022, 95% CI 1.002-1.042), duration of intubation superior to 96 h (OR: 2.705, 95% CI 1.235-5.927), and AKI (OR: 2.964, 95% CI 1.637-5.366). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ELD patients requiring intubation experience significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury, deep venous thrombosis, and ARDS.