Patient Characteristics

To describe both ESLD and HF patients in our study, we summarize demographic information (age, sex, and race) from the denominator file and comorbid conditions identified using diagnosis codes from inpatient, outpatient, and professional service claims in the year before the index hospitalization. Coding for these conditions was based on previously published algorithms.^27,28

In addition, we describe several disease-related concepts among the ESLD cohort using coding algorithms based on diagnosis and procedure codes (Supplemental Table, available at jpsmjournal.com) on the index hospitalization claim and all inpatient, outpatient, and professional service claims from the prior year. Complications of liver disease included ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and variceal bleeding. The etiology of liver disease was identified as viral hepatitis, alcohol, other, or unknown (the latter being determined if none of the listed codes were found). Procedures related to liver complications included chemoembolization, endoscopic procedures (esophagogastroduodenoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasound, colonoscopy), radiofrequency ablation, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. We also identified hepatocellular carcinoma in this cohort.