Musculoskeletal malignant neoplasms hospitalisation in Victoria

The paper describes factors associated with 2,605 hospital admissions for musculoskeletal malignant neoplasms (MMN) over oneyear. 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%, thethird highest of all admission categories. The average length of stay was significantly (t=4.5, p<.01) shorter in the metropolitanarea (8.2 days) than in rural communities (10.8 days). The age-standardised rates varied inversely (r=-0.28) with socioeconomicstatus. 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 inMMN hospitalisation rates. As a leading cause of hospital readmission and disability, the condition requires closer analysis.