Socioeconomic predictors of cost and length of stay for erythroderma: a cross-sectional analysis of the national inpatient sample.

Erythroderma is an uncommon but serious dermatologic disorder that often requires hospitalization for diagnosis and treatment. However, little is known about predictors influencing cost and patient outcomes. The present study sought to characterize the sociodemographic factors that predict patient outcomes and hospital cost. Data were obtained from the 2016-2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) provided by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for patients of any age with a primary or secondary diagnosis of exfoliative dermatitis. Regression analyses were performed to find predictors for hospital costs and patient outcomes, represented by the length of stay (LOS). Univariate analysis of LOS revealed urban teaching hospitals were associated with prolonged LOS (p = 0.023). Univariate analysis of hospital cost yielded the following factors associated with increased hospital cost: Black and Asian patients (p = .045), urban teaching hospitals (p = .035), and northeast or south geographic location (p = .004). Multivariable regression analysis revealed prolonged LOS was associated with female sex (p = .043) and large bed capacity (p = .044) while shorter LOS was associated with increased age (p = .025); lower hospital costs were associated with private-owned hospitals -  (p = .025). In patients diagnosed with erythroderma, there appear to be racial, economic, and geographic disparities for patients that lead to greater hospital costs and longer LOS.