Apples and oranges: 4 definitions of multiple chronic conditions and their relationship to 30-day rehospitalization

In this study, Melissa Dattalo et al. used HIP’s Chronic Conditions Warehouse data to examine the extent of agreement of 4 commonly used definitions of multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and compare each definition’s ability to predict 30-day hospital readmissions. They found that MCC definitions should not be used interchangeably. The two definitions with the greatest agreement (Charlson Comorbidity Index and Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan) were also the best predictors of readmissions.