Longitudinal discharge trends and outcomes after hospitalization for mouth cellulitis and Ludwig angina

Objective. Objective is to provide longitudinal discharge trends and hospitalization outcomes in patients hospitalized because of mouth cellulitis or Ludwig angina. Methods. Nationwide Inpatient Sample for years 2004 to 2010 was used. All hospitalizations with primary diagnosis of cellulitis or Ludwig angina were selected. Discharge trends were examined. Results. A total of 29,228 hospitalizations occurred as a result of mouth cellulitis/Ludwig angina; 55% of all hospitalizations were male patients; 68% were aged 21 to 60 years. Non-whites comprised close to 40%. The uninsured comprised 22.3%. Ninety-nine patients died in hospitals. The total hospitalization charges across the entire United States over the study period was $772.57 million. Factors associated with increased hospitalization charges included, age, co-morbid burden, insurance status, race, teaching status of hospital, and geographic location. Conclusions. Uninsured non-whites, those with high co-morbid burden, and those aged 21 to 60 years tended to be hospitalized consistently over the study period.