Racial disparities in palliative care utilization among metastatic gynecological cancer patients living at last follow-up: An analysis of the National Cancer Data Base

Disparities in Palliative Care Use for Patients With Blood Cancer Who Died in the Hospital

Background: Palliative care can enhance quality of life during a terminal hospitalization. Despite advances in diagnostic and treatment tools, blood cancers lag behind solid malignancies in palliative use. It is not clear what factors affect palliative care use in blood cancer. Methods: We used the 2016 to 2019 National Inpatient Sample to identify demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with receiving palliative care among patients over age 18 with any malignant hematological diagnosis during a terminal hospitalization lasting at least 3 days, excluding those receiving a stem cell transplant. Results: Palliative care use was documented 54% of the time among 49,720 weighted cases (9944 distinct individual hospitalizations), approximately evenly distributed across the years 2016-2019. Palliative care use was lowest in 2016 (51%) and highest in 2018 (58%), and increased with age, reaching 58% for those 80 years and older. Men and women were similarly likely to receive care. Patients of Hispanic ethnicity and African Americans received less palliative care (47% and 49%, respectively), as did those insured by Medicaid (48%), and those admitted to small or rural hospitals (52% and 47%, respectively). Charges for hospitalizations with palliative care were 19% lower than for those without it. Conclusions: This study highlights disparities in palliative care use among blood-cancer patients who died in the hospital. It seems likely that many of the 46% who did not receive palliative care could have benefitted from it. Interventions are likely needed to achieve equitable access to ideal levels of palliative care services in late-stage blood cancer.

Extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and palliative care disparities: a national cancer database study

OBJECTIVES

Literature on disparities in palliative care receipt among extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients is scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine disparities in palliative care receipt among ES-SCLC patients.

METHODS

Patients aged 40 years or older diagnosed with ES-SCLC between 2004 and 2015 in the National Cancer DataBase (NCDB) were eligible. Two palliative care variables were created: (1) no receipt of any palliative care and (2) no receipt of pain management-palliative care. The latter variable indicated pain management receipt among those who received any palliative care. Log binomial regression models were constructed to calculate risk ratios by covariates. Unadjusted and mutually adjusted models were created for both variables.

RESULTS

Among 83 175 patients, the risk of no palliative care receipt was higher among Blacks compared with Whites in unadjusted and adjusted models (both model HRs 1.02; 95% CIs 1.00 to 1.03, p<0.05). Patients older than 59 years were at a higher risk of not receiving palliative care than younger patients (HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03 for 59-66, HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.05 for 66-74, HR 1.06; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.08 for >74). Among 19 931 patients, the risk of no pain management-palliative care was higher among black patients on unadjusted analysis (HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03, p<0.05). Patients between 66 and 74 years were at a higher risk of not receiving pain management-palliative care than patients younger than 59 years (HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant disparities exist in palliative care receipt among ES-SCLC patients.

The Use of Palliative Therapy in Patients With Advanced Retroperitoneal Sarcoma

INTRODUCTION

Advanced retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) can include unresectable locoregional disease, systemic or multifocal intra-abdominal metastasis, or abdominal sarcomatosis, all of which are associated with high morbidity and may be addressed through palliative therapy. Current trends in the use of palliative therapy and factors associated with its use in patients with advanced RPS remain largely unexplored. The objectives of this study are to (1) describe the temporal trend in the use of palliative therapy and (2) identify factors associated with its use in patients with advanced RPS in the United States from 2004 to 2020.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective cohort study using the National Cancer Database. We identified adult patients who were diagnosed with advanced RPS (American Joint Committee on Cancer stages III and IV) from 2004 to 2020. We performed a trend analysis to describe the use of palliative therapy over time, followed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of palliative therapy use in this patient population.

RESULTS

A total of 6149 patients with advanced RPS were identified, of which only 383 used palliative therapy, including surgery (n = 28), radiation therapy (n = 87), systemic therapy (n = 115), pain management (n = 61), combination therapy (n = 55), or other palliative therapy (n = 37). The proportion of patients using palliative therapy increased significantly from 2.6% in 2004 to 6.5% in 2020 (Ptrend < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression, age (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95 confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.04), year of diagnosis (OR 1.05, 95 CI 1.02-1.08), lack of insurance (OR 2.18, 95 CI 1.17-4.04), community cancer program status (OR 1.83, 95 CI 1.05-3.19), stage IV disease (OR 5.19, 95 CI 4.49-7.79), and rhabdomyosarcoma (OR 2.75, 95 CI 1.32-5.72) histology were found to be predictors of palliative therapy use.

CONCLUSIONS

This study sheds light on the evolving landscape of palliative therapy use for patients with advanced RPS in the United States from 2004 to 2020. The observed gradual increase in the use of palliative therapy underscores the growing recognition of its importance in managing the unique challenges associated with this complex disease. Despite this positive trend, the persistently low overall rates highlight the need for further efforts to enhance awareness and accessibility of palliative therapy for this patient population.

Predisposing, Enabling, and Need Factors Driving Palliative Care Use in Head and Neck Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Characterizing factors associated with palliative care (PC) use in patients with stage III and VI head and neck cancer using Anderson's behavioral model of health service use.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study of the 2004 to 2020 National Cancer Database.gg METHODS: We used multivariate logistic regression to assess the association of predisposing, enabling, and need factors with PC use. We also investigated the association of these factors with interventional PC type (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery) and refusal of curative treatment in the last 6 months of life.

RESULTS

Five percent of patients received PC. "Predisposing factors" associated with less PC use include Hispanic ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 086; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76-0.97) and white and black race (vs white: aOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.22). "Enabling factors" associated with lower PC include private insurance (vs uninsured: aOR, 064; 95% CI, 0.53-0.77) and high-income (aOR, 078; 95% CI, 0.71-0.85). "Need factors" associated with higher PC use include stage IV (vs stage III cancer: aOR, 2.25; 95% CI, 2.11-2.40) and higher comorbidity index (vs Index 1: aOR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.42-1.75). High-income (aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.71-0.85) and private insurance (aOR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.53, 0.77) were associated with higher interventional PC use and lower curative treatment refusal (insurance: aOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.55, 0.67; income aOR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.44, 0.52).

CONCLUSION

Low PC uptake is attributed to patients' race/culture, financial capabilities, and disease severity. Culturally informed counseling, clear guidelines on PC indication, and increasing financial accessibility of PC may increase timely and appropriate use of this service.

Racial/ethnic disparities in inpatient palliative care utilization and hospitalization outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

Research has shown that racial/ethnic disparities exist in outcomes for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, but there are no studies assessing inpatient palliative care utilization and hospitalization outcomes in this population. We examined racial/ethnic disparities in palliative care utilization and hospitalization outcomes among CRC and early-onset CRC patients.

METHODS

Using National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data collected between 2016 and 2018, cross-sectional analyses were performed. Descriptive analyses were done, stratified by race/ethnicity. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to examine racial/ethnic differences in palliative care utilization, inpatient mortality, chemotherapy/radiotherapy use, length of stay and total hospital charges among hospitalized patients with CRC and early-onset CRC.

RESULTS

Blacks had higher odds (AOR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03-1.16) of receiving palliative care consultation while Hispanics had lower odds (AOR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.84-0.96) compared to Whites. Blacks had 1.1 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.01-1.18) of inpatient mortality relative to Whites while Hispanics had 16% (AOR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.76-0.93) lower odds of inpatient mortality. Compared to Whites, Blacks (AOR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.64-2.41), Hispanics (AOR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.94-3.19) and colorectal cancer patients in the other category (AOR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.35-2.18) were more likely to receive inpatient treatment with chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Furthermore, Black patients were 1.1 times (95% CI: 1.06-1.14) more likely to have a length of stay more than 5 days. Blacks (𝛃: $3,096.7; 95% CI: $1,207.0-$4,986.5) Hispanic (𝛃: $10,237.5; 95% CI: $7,558.2-$12,916.8) and other patients (𝛃: $6,332.0; 95% CI: $2,830.9-$9, 833.2) had higher hospital charges relative to their White counterparts. Among patients with early onset CRC, Blacks had higher palliative care use (AOR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.10-1.51) and inpatient mortality (AOR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.06-1.79) while Hispanics reported $5,589.7 (95% CI: $683.2-$10,496.2) higher total hospital charges and were more likely to receive inpatient chemotherapy/radiotherapy (AOR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.70-3.63).

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed to explore specific cultural, socioeconomic, and political factors that explain these disparities and identify ways to narrow the gap. Meanwhile, the healthcare sector will need to assess what strategies might be helpful in addressing these disparities in outcomes in the context of other socioeconomic and cultural factors that may be affecting the patients.

Temporal trends and barriers for inpatient palliative care referral in metastatic gynecologic cancer patients receiving specific critical care therapies

Objective

Existing evidence suggests that palliative care (PC) is highly underutilized in metastatic gynecologic cancer (mGCa). This study aims to explore temporal trends and predictors for inpatient PC referral in mGCa patients who received specific critical care therapies (CCT).

Methods

The National Inpatient Sample from 2003 to 2015 was used to identify mGCa patients receiving CCT. Basic characteristics were compared between patients with and without PC. Annual percentage change (APC) was estimated to reflect the temporal trend in the entire cohort and subgroups. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to explore potential predictors of inpatient PC referral.

Results

In total, 122,981 mGCa patients were identified, of whom 10,380 received CCT. Among these, 1,208 (11.64%) received inpatient PC. Overall, the rate of PC referral increased from 1.81% in 2003 to 26.30% in 2015 (APC: 29.08%). A higher increase in PC usage was found in white patients (APC: 30.81%), medium-sized hospitals (APC: 31.43%), the Midwest region (APC: 33.84%), and among patients with ovarian cancer (APC: 31.35%). Multivariable analysis suggested that medium bedsize, large bedsize, Midwest region, West region, uterine cancer and cervical cancer were related to increased PC use, while metastatic sites from lymph nodes and genital organs were related to lower PC referral.

Conclusion

Further studies are warranted to better illustrate the barriers for PC and finally improve the delivery of optimal end-of-life care for mGCa patients who receive inpatient CCT, especially for those diagnosed with ovarian cancer or admitted to small scale and Northeast hospitals.

Palliative Medicine Referral and End-of-Life Interventions Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Gynecologic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Referral to palliative medicine (PM) has been shown to improve quality of life, reduce hospitalizations, and improve survival. Limited data exist about PM utilization among racial minorities with gynecologic malignancies. Our objective was to assess differences in palliative medicine referrals and end of life interventions (within the last 30 days of life) by race and ethnicity in a diverse population of gynecologic oncology patients.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients receiving gynecologic oncologic care at a tertiary referral center between 2017 - 2019 was conducted. Patients had either metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis or recurrence. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted. Exploratory analyses were done using chi-square and rank sum tests. Tests were two-sided with significance set at P < .05.

RESULTS

A total of 186 patients were included. Of those, 82 (44.1%) were referred to palliative medicine. Underrepresented minorities accounted for 47.3% of patients. English was identified as the primary language for 69.9% of the patients and Spanish in 24.2%. Over 90% of patients had insurance coverage. Ovarian cancer (37.6%) and uterine cancer (32.8%) were the most common sites of origin. Most patients (75%) had advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Race and language spoken were not associated with referral to PM. Black patients were more likely to have been prescribed appetite stimulants compared to White patients (41% vs 24%, P = .038). Black patients also had a higher number of emergency department visits compared to White patients during the study timeframe. Chemotherapy in the last 30 days of life was also more likely to be given to Black patients compared to White (P = .019).

CONCLUSIONS

Race was associated with variation in interventions and healthcare utilization near end-of-life. Understanding the etiologies of these differences is crucial to inform interventions for care optimization as it relates specifically to the health of minority patients.

Palliative Care Effects on Survival in Glioblastoma: Who Receives Palliative Care?

BACKGROUND

High-grade glioma has a poor overall survival with profoundly negative effects on the patient's quality of life and their caregivers. In this study, we investigate the factors associated with receiving palliative care in patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM) and the association of receiving or not receiving palliative care with overall survival.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was analyzed for patterns of care in patients ≥18 years old who were diagnosed with histologically confirmed grade IV GBM between 2004 and 2017. All statistical analyses were conducted based on univariate and multivariate regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 85,380 patients with the diagnosis of GBM were identified. Of the study population, 2803 patients (3.28%) received palliative therapy. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, age ≥70 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.58; P < 0.001), Medicare (OR, 1.348; CI, 1.13-1.61; P = 0.001), tumor size ≥5 cm (OR, 1.15; CI, 1.01-1.31; P = 0.036), tumor multifocality (OR, 1.69; CI, 1.47-1.96; P < 0.001), lobe overlapping tumor (OR, 2.09; CI, 1.13-3.86; P = 0.018), Charlson-Deyo score >0, receiving treatment at a nonacademic/research program, and medium volume of cancers managed at the treatment facility (OR, 1.19; CI, 1.02-1.38; P = 0.026) were independent risk factors associated with an increased chance of receiving palliative care. In contrast, a household income of ≥$40,227 and high volume of cancer managed at the treatment facility (OR, 0.75; CI, 0.58-0.96; P = 0.02) were independent risk factors associated with decreased palliative care. Patients who received no palliative care had a 2-year overall survival longer than those who received palliative care (22% vs. 8.8%; P < 0.001). In patients receiving palliative care, those who received recommended treatment had a 2-year overall survival longer than those who declined part or whole recommended treatment (9.1% vs. 3.8%; P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with high-grade glioma, receiving palliative care is associated with decreased survival. When receiving palliative care, recommended treatment increases the number of patients who survive more than 2 years approximately 3-fold compared with those declining part or whole treatment.

Healthcare Access Domains Mediate Racial Disparities in Ovarian Cancer Treatment Quality in a US Patient Cohort: A Structural Equation Modelling Analysis

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer survival disparities have persisted for decades, driven by lack of access to quality treatment. We conducted structural equation modeling (SEM) to define latent variables representing three healthcare access (HCA) domains: affordability, availability, and accessibility, and evaluated the direct and indirect associations between race and ovarian cancer treatment mediated through the HCA domains.

METHODS

Patients with ovarian cancer ages 65 years or older diagnosed between 2008 and 2015 were identified from the SEER-Medicare dataset. Generalized SEM was used to estimate latent variables representing HCA domains by race in relation to two measures of ovarian cancer-treatment quality: gynecologic oncology consultation and receipt of any ovarian cancer surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 8,987 patients with ovarian cancer were included in the analysis; 7% were Black. The affordability [Ω: 0.876; average variance extracted (AVE) = 0.689], availability (Ω: 0.848; AVE = 0.636), and accessibility (Ω: 0.798; AVE = 0.634) latent variables showed high composite reliability in SEM analysis. Black patients had lower affordability and availability, but higher accessibility compared with non-Black patients. In fully adjusted models, there was no direct effect observed between Black race to receipt of surgery [β: -0.044; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.264 to 0.149]; however, there was an inverse total effect (β: -0.243; 95% CI, -0.079 to -0.011) that was driven by HCA affordability (β: -0.025; 95% CI, -0.036 to -0.013), as well as pathways that included availability and consultation with a gynecologist oncologist.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial differences in ovarian cancer treatment appear to be driven by latent variables representing healthcare affordability, availability, and accessibility.

IMPACT

Strategies to mitigate disparities in multiple HCA domains will be transformative in advancing equity in cancer treatment.

Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in the Utilization of TKA Among Patients with Posttraumatic Knee Osteoarthritis

Advanced posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) of the knee is a cause of substantial disability, particularly in younger individuals, and the treatment of choice is total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Racial and socioeconomic disparities exist in the use of TKA, but, to our knowledge, there have been no studies examining these disparities among patients with PTOA.

Health Care Access Measures and Palliative Care Use by Race/Ethnicity among Metastatic Gynecological Cancer Patients in the United States

Palliative care improves quality-of-life and extends survival, however, is underutilized among gynecological cancer patients in the United States (U.S.). Our objective was to evaluate associations between healthcare access (HCA) measures and palliative care utilization among U.S. gynecological cancer patients overall and by race/ethnicity. We used 2004-2016 data from the U.S. National Cancer Database and included patients with metastatic (stage III-IV at-diagnosis) ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancer (n = 176,899). Palliative care was defined as non-curative treatment and could include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and pain management, or any combination. HCA measures included insurance type, area-level socioeconomic measures, distance-to-care, and cancer treatment facility type. We evaluated associations of HCA measures with palliative care use overall and by race/ethnicity using multivariable logistic regression. Our population was mostly non-Hispanic White (72%), had ovarian cancer (72%), and 24% survived <6 months. Five percent of metastatic gynecological cancer patients utilized palliative care. Compared to those with private insurance, uninsured patients with ovarian (aOR: 1.80,95% CI: 1.53-2.12), and cervical (aOR: 1.45,95% CI: 1.26-1.67) cancer were more likely to use palliative care. Patients with ovarian (aOR: 0.58,95% CI: 0.48-0.70) or cervical cancer (aOR: 0.74,95% CI: 0.60-0.88) who reside >45 miles from their provider were less likely to utilize palliative care than those within <2 miles. Ovarian cancer patients treated at academic/research programs were less likely to utilize palliative care compared to those treated at community cancer programs (aOR: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.58-0.84). Associations between HCA measures and palliative care utilization were largely consistent across U.S. racial-ethnic groups. Insurance type, cancer treatment facility type, and distance-to-care may influence palliative care use among metastatic gynecological cancer patients in the U.S.