Multimorbidity and healthcare utilization among early survivors of pediatric cancer

Emergency Department Use in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Early Survivors from 2006 to 2020

Purpose: Understanding emergency department (ED) use in adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors could identify gaps in AYA survivorship. Methods: We conducted a cohort study of 7925 AYA survivors (aged 15-39 years at diagnosis) who were 2-5 years from diagnosis in 2006-2020 at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. We calculated ED utilization rates overall and by indication of the encounter (headache, cardiac issues, and suicide attempts). We estimated rate changes by survivorship year and patient factors associated with ED visit using a Poisson model. Results: Cohort was 65.4% women, 45.8% Hispanic, with mean age at diagnosis at 31.3 years. Overall, 38% of AYA survivors had ≥1 ED visit (95th percentile: 5 ED visits). Unadjusted ED rates declined from 374.2/1000 person-years (PY) in Y2 to 327.2 in Y5 (p change < 0.001). Unadjusted rates declined for headache, cardiac issues, and suicide attempts. Factors associated with increased ED use included: age 20-24 at diagnosis [relative risk (RR) = 1.30, 95% CI 1.09-1.56 vs. 35-39 years]; female (RR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.11-1.47 vs. male); non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity (RR 1.64, 95% CI 1.38-1.95 vs. non-Hispanic white); comorbidity (RR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.16-1.55 for 1 and RR 1.80, 95% CI 1.40-2.30 for 2+ vs. none); and public insurance (RR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.70-2.32 vs. private). Compared with thyroid cancer, cancers associated with increased ED use were breast (RR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.24-1.70), cervical (RR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.76-2.71), colorectal (RR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.94-2.81), and sarcoma (RR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.03-1.88). Conclusion: ED utilization declined as time from diagnosis elapsed, but higher utilization was associated with social determinants of health and cancer types.

Prevalence, patterns, and determinants of multimorbidity among childhood and adult cancer survivors: A systematic review

Development of multimorbidity is common among cancer survivors due to their previous cancer, treatments, or changes in lifestyle. We summarized evidence on the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of multimorbidity among childhood and adult cancer survivors. We searched PubMed and EMBASE databases for articles reporting prevalence, patterns, and determinants of multimorbidity in cancer survivors. Finally, 23/500 articles were included. There was a large variation in the prevalence of multimorbidity (13-89%) among cancer survivors. Bone marrow transplantation, radiation, female sex, lower level of physical activity, increasing age, minority ethnicity, low-income, and low-education were associated with a higher prevalence of multimorbidity. Patterns of multimorbidity were both concordant and discordant. In conclusion, multimorbidity is highly prevalent and a major concern among cancer survivors. A personalized care plan that takes into account the identified risk may be beneficial to reduce the burden of multimorbidity and improve the quality of life among cancer survivors.

Functional outcomes at PICU discharge in hemato-oncology children at a tertiary oncology center in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND

Advancements in cancer treatment have resulted in longer survival but often at the expense of new therapy-associated morbidities. The aim of this study is to evaluate functional outcomes of hemato-oncology patients at PICU discharge, and to identify associated risk factors.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective observational study. All children (< 19 years) with a hemato-oncology diagnosis admitted to the Hong Kong Children's Hospital PICU over a 2-year period were included. Functional status upon admission and discharge were compared. Univariable and multi-variable analyses were employed to identify risk factors associated with new morbidities.

RESULTS

Out of 288 PICU admissions, there were 277 live discharges (mortality 4%), of which 52 (18.8%) developed new morbidities. Emergency admission, severity of illness at admission, organ dysfunction and support were associated with new morbidities (OR 1.08-11.96; p < 0.05). Adjusting for confounding factors, higher Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction 2 score at admission was significantly associated with development of new morbidities (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.18-1.54; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Critically ill children with hemato-oncological diseases had a higher rate of developing new morbidities (18.8%) compared with the general PICU population (4-8%). This was associated with severity of illness at admission. Further work is warranted to understand the lasting effects of these new morbidities and mitigating interventions.

Hospitalization and mortality outcomes in the first 5 years after a childhood cancer diagnosis: a population-based study

PURPOSE

Children with cancer are frequently hospitalized. However, hospitalization and death by disease category are not well defined < 5 years from diagnosis.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked cancer registry-hospital discharge-vital records to identify cancer cases < 20 years at diagnosis during 1987-2012 (n = 4,567) and comparison children without cancer, matched on birth year and sex (n = 45,582). Data linkage identified serious morbidities resulting in cancer- and non-cancer-related hospitalizations or deaths < 5 years from diagnosis. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to compare relative hospitalization and mortality by disease category and after excluding cancer-related outcomes. Among cancer cases, relative risks of these outcomes for children with solid tumors compared with children with leukemia/lymphoma were also estimated.

RESULTS

Greater rates of all-cause hospitalization (281.5/1,000 vs. 6.2/1,000 person years) and death (40.7/1,000 vs. 0.15/1,000 person years) were observed in childhood cancer cases than comparators and across all diagnosis categories. Increased hospitalization (31.0/1,000 vs. 6.2/1,000 person years; HR 5.0, 95% CI 4.5-5.5) and death (1.0/1,000 vs. 0.15/1,000 person years; HR 10.4, 95% CI 5.6-19.1) rates remained when cancer-related outcomes were excluded. Although HRs for hospitalization and death did not differ greatly by treatment era, absolute rates of hospitalization were greater (1987-1999: 233.3/1,000; 2000-2012: 320.0/1,000 person years) and death were lesser (1987-1999: 46.3/1,000; 2000-2012: 36.8/1,000 person years) in the later treatment era among cases. Children with solid tumors were less likely to have a cancer-related hospitalization than were those with leukemia/lymphoma (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84-0.98).

CONCLUSION

Even after excluding cancer-related diagnoses, children with cancer experience greater rates of hospitalization and death in all disease categories. Results may guide future toxicity mitigation initiatives and inform anticipatory guidance for families of children with cancer.