TABLE 4.
Multivariable-Adjusted, Independent Predictors of Hospitalization for Infection*
| Never Hospitalized for Infection | Hospitalized ≥1 for Infection | Hazard Ratio | 95% CI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | 19,349 | 1465 | - | - |
| Mean age, yr (SD) | 63.0 (12.5) | 63.8 (12.0) | 1.01 | 1.00–1.01 |
| Sex (% male) | 17,530 (90.6) | 1352 (92.3) | 1.19 | 0.93–1.52 |
| Comorbidities (%) | ||||
| Diabetes mellitus | 5513 (28.5) | 631 (43.1) | 1.26 | 1.11–1.43 |
| Hypertension | 14,081 (72.8) | 1248 (85.2) | 1.18 | 1.01–1.38 |
| Arrhythmia | 3780 (19.5) | 580 (39.6) | 1.33 | 1.16–1.53 |
| Heart failure | 2488 (12.9) | 524 (35.8) | 1.71 | 1.47–1.98 |
| Malignancy | 4148 (21.4) | 499 (34.1) | 1.30 | 1.13–1.49 |
| Chronic lung disease | 7040 (36.4) | 1020 (69.6) | 2.29 | 2.02–2.60 |
| Renal failure | 1388 (7.2) | 265 (18.1) | 1.46 | 1.21–1.77 |
| Liver disease | 1103 (5.7) | 149 (10.2) | 1.36 | 1.07–1.72 |
| AIDS | 75 (0.4) | 16 (1.1) | 0.74 | 0.31–1.75 |
| Mean no. intraarticular procedures (SD) | 0.44 (1.35) | 0.73 (1.81) | 0.99 | 0.95–1.03 |
| Mean no. orthopedic procedures (SD) | 0.06 (0.30) | 0.13 (0.54) | 1.22 | 1.09–1.36 |
| Medications† | ||||
| Prednisone use (%) | 10,826 (56.0) | 1199 (81.8) | 2.14 | 1.88–2.43 |
| Group 1 | 11,253 (58.2) | 519 (35.4) | 1.0 | Referent |
| Group 2 | 12,590 (65.1) | 774 (52.8) | 1.08 | 0.95–1.24 |
| Group 3 | 3567 (18.4) | 229 (15.6) | 1.24 | 1.02–1.50 |
| Within TNF-α antagonist use comparisons | ||||
| Etanercept | 2464 (69.1) | 135 (58.9) | 1.0 | Referent |
| Infliximab | 771 (21.6) | 60 (26.2) | 1.51 | 1.14–2.00 |
| Adalimumab | 1217 (34.1) | 39 (17.0) | 0.95 | 0.68–1.33 |
*
Model adjusted for proximity to nearest VA hospital.
†
See Table 1 for description of the medication groups.