Preoperative Alcohol Use Disorder Is Associated With Increased Morbidity and Costs in Ankle Arthrodesis

IntroductionThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) on postoperative outcomes following ankle anrthrodesis (AA).MethodsThis investigation utilized the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2016 to 2020, identifying 26 705 patients who underwent primary elective AA, and further stratifying based on the presence of preoperative AUD (N = 612, 2.29%).ResultsMultivariate regression analysis, adjusting for demographic and comorbid disparities, revealed that preoperative AUD significantly predicted a 22% increase in the risk of complications (odds ratio [OR] = 1.217), a 42% increase in readmission risk (OR = 1.424), and a 135% increase in the likelihood of an extended LOS exceeding 4 days (OR = 2.349). Moreover, preoperative AUD was significantly associated with an approximate $7000 increase in total procedural costs (β = 6929.34).ConclusionThe AUD was statistically significantly associated with higher rates of multiple complications for patients undergoing AA. These findings suggest the importance of considering AUD as a risk factor in patient assessment and treatment planning for AA.Level of Evidence:Level III, Retrospective Cohort Study.