There is a significant and increasing inpatient burden for dermatomyositis in the US, according to a recent study. Furthermore, there appear to be racial differences, as nonwhites have higher prevalence of admission, increased length of stay (LOS), and cost of care. Data on 72,651,487 hospitalizations from the 2002–2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a 20% stratified sample of all acute-care hospitalizations in the US, were analyzed. Researchers found:

• There were 9,687 and 43,188 weighted admissions with a primary or secondary diagnosis of dermatomyositis, respectively.
• In multivariable logistic regression models with stepwise selection, female sex, nonwhite race, and multiple chronic conditions were all associated with higher rates of hospitalization for dermatomyositis.
• The weighted total LOS and inflation-adjusted cost of care for patients with a primary inpatient diagnosis of dermatomyositis was 80,686 days and $168,076,970, with geometric means of 5.38 and $11,682, respectively.
• LOS and costs of hospitalization were significantly higher in patients with dermatomyositis compared to those without.
• Notably, race/ethnicity was associated with increased LOS and cost of care.