1 in 6 lupus patients readmitted within 30 days

About one in six hospitalized patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) return to the hospital within 30 days, according to research published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology. After examining 55,936 hospitalizations among 31,903 SLE patients, researchers also found black and Hispanic patients were more likely to be readmitted compared to white patients, as were those with Medicare or Medicaid as compared to private insurance holders. Several lupus clinical characteristics, including lupus nephritis, serositis and thrombocytopenia were associated with readmission, which varied significantly between hospitals. Risk-adjusted readmission rates were lower in New York and higher in Florida compared to California. Research