Predictors of Emergency Department Use by Persons with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Population-Based Study

Predictors of Emergency Department Use by Persons with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Population-based Study Nugent, Zoann PhD; Singh, Harminder MD, MPH; Targownik, Laura E. MD; Strome, Trevor MS; Snider, Carolyn MD, MPH; Bernstein, Charles N. MD Background: To describe the patterns and predictors of emergency department (ED) attendance and post-ED hospitalization by persons with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: We linked the University of Manitoba IBD Epidemiology Database with the Emergency Department Information System of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to determine the rates of presentation to the ED by persons with IBD from January 01, 2009 to March 31, 2012. Incident cases were diagnosed during the study period and all others were considered prevalent cases. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of attendance in the ED and for hospitalization within 2 days of ED attendance. Results: The study population included 300 incident and 3394 prevalent IBD cases, of whom 76% and 49%, respectively, attended the ED at least once during the study period. Incident cases with Crohn's disease or with a history of opioid use were more likely to attend the ED. Those who had seen a gastroenterologist within the year before diagnosis were less likely to …