Musculoskeletal malignant neoplasms hospitalisation in Victoria

Abstract

The paper describes factors associated with 2,605 hospital admissions for musculoskeletal malignant neoplasms (MMN) over one year. The rates per 10,000 population increased significantly (t=5.3, p<.01) with age, with men (4.5 per 10,000 population, 95% CI 4.1-5.0) at greater risk than women (3.3 per 10,000 population, 95% CI 2.8-3.7). The 30-day readmission rate was 19%, the third highest of all admission categories. The average length of stay was significantly (t=4.5, p<.01) shorter in the metropolitan area (8.2 days) than in rural communities (10.8 days). The age-standardised rates varied inversely (r=-0.28) with socioeconomic status. Communities with high MMN admission rates had high rates of heart failure admissions (r=0.35), alcohol consumption (r=0.34) and receiving Disability Support Pension (r=0.32). There was a significant (t=13.8, p<.001) monthly variability in MMN hospitalisation rates. As a leading cause of hospital readmission and disability, the condition requires closer analysis.