The effect of comorbidity burden on health care utilization for patients with cancer using hospice

Gender-specific factors associated with case complexity in middle-aged and older adults-Evidence from a large population-based study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate gender-specific factors associated with case complexity in a population-based sample of middle-aged and older adults using a holistic approach to complexity.

METHODS

Data were derived from the 8-year follow-up home visits of the ESTHER study-a German population-based study in middle-aged and older adults. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted for 2932 persons (aged 57-84). Complexity was assessed by the well-established INTERMED for the elderly interview, which uses a holistic approach to the definition of case complexity. The association between various bio-psycho-social variables and case complexity was analyzed using gender-specific logistic regression models, adjusted for sociodemographic factors (age, marital status, education).

RESULTS

Prevalence of complexity was 8.3% with significantly higher prevalence in female (10.6%) compared to male (5.8%) participants (p < 0.001). Variables associated with increased odds for complexity in both, women and men were: being divorced (odds ratio [OR] women: 1.86, 95% CI 1.05-3.30; OR men: 3.19, 1.25-8.12), higher total somatic morbidity (women: 1.08, 1.04-1.12; men: 1.06, 1.02-1.11), higher depression severity (women: 1.34, 1.28-1.40; men: 1.35, 1.27-1.44), and higher loneliness scores (women: 1.19, 1.05-1.36; men: 1.23, 1.03-1.47). Women (but not men) with obesity (Body mass index [BMI] ≥30) had higher odds (1.79, 1.11-2.89) for being complex compared to those with a BMI <25. High oxidative stress measured by derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites in serum was associated with 2.02 (1.09-3.74) higher odds for complexity only in men.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides epidemiological evidence on gender differences in prevalence and factors associated with case complexity in middle-aged and older adults. Moreover, this study adds to the holistic understanding of complexity by identifying novel variables linked to complexity among middle-aged and older individuals. These factors include loneliness for both genders, and high oxidative stress for men. These findings should be confirmed in future longitudinal studies.

End of life care for people with dementia and comorbid cancer: recent studies and research gaps

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This narrative review examines recent research on end of life (EOL) care for people with dementia and comorbid cancer, highlighting the complexity and challenge of providing effective EOL care for this group and areas of interest for future research.

RECENT FINDINGS

People with cancer and dementia and their family/supporters have more complex care and support needs at EOL that are less well met than those of older adults with cancer alone, including questionable use of aggressive EOL care interventions, poorer access to specialist palliative care teams and poor pain management. Those diagnosed with dementia at the same time as, or after their cancer diagnosis, are at greater risk of aggressive EOL care and EOL cancer treatment and care plans that are not able to meet their care needs as dementia progresses.

SUMMARY

There is a lack of research on EOL care for people with cancer and dementia. There is little understanding of what good care for this population looks like and if and how EOL care can best meet the needs of people with cancer and dementia or their carers/supporters. More research is needed to inform improved care for this population.

A Quantitative Bias Analysis Approach to Informative Presence Bias in Electronic Health Records

Accurate outcome and exposure ascertainment in electronic health record (EHR) data, referred to as EHR phenotyping, relies on the completeness and accuracy of EHR data for each individual. However, some individuals, such as those with a greater comorbidity burden, visit the health care system more frequently and thus have more complete data, compared with others. Ignoring such dependence of exposure and outcome misclassification on visit frequency can bias estimates of associations in EHR analysis. We developed a framework for describing the structure of outcome and exposure misclassification due to informative visit processes in EHR data and assessed the utility of a quantitative bias analysis approach to adjusting for bias induced by informative visit patterns. Using simulations, we found that this method produced unbiased estimates across all informative visit structures, if the phenotype sensitivity and specificity were correctly specified. We applied this method in an example where the association between diabetes and progression-free survival in metastatic breast cancer patients may be subject to informative presence bias. The quantitative bias analysis approach allowed us to evaluate robustness of results to informative presence bias and indicated that findings were unlikely to change across a range of plausible values for phenotype sensitivity and specificity. Researchers using EHR data should carefully consider the informative visit structure reflected in their data and use appropriate approaches such as the quantitative bias analysis approach described here to evaluate robustness of study findings.

Predictive factors of basic palliative and hospice care among patients with cancer visiting the emergency department in a Hungarian tertiary care center

Introduction

Patients with advanced cancer tend to utilize the services of the health care system, particularly emergency departments (EDs), more often, however EDs aren't necessarily the most ideal environments for providing care to these patients. The objective of our study was to analyze the clinical and demographic characteristics of advanced patients with cancer receiving basic palliative care (BPC) or hospice care (HC), and to identify predictive factors of BPC and HC prior to their visit to the ED, in a large tertiary care center in Hungary.

Methods

A retrospective, detailed analysis of patients receiving only BPC or HC, out of 1512 patients with cancer visiting the ED in 2018, was carried out. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected via automated and manual chart review. Patients were followed up to determine length of survival. Descriptive and exploratory statistical analyses were performed.

Results

Hospital admission, multiple (≥4x) ED visits, and respiratory cancer were independent risk factors for receiving only BPC (OR: 3.10, CI: 1.90-5.04; OR: 2.97, CI: 1.50-5.84; OR: 1.82, CI: 1.03-3.22, respectively), or HC (OR: 2.15, CI: 1.26-3.67; OR: 4.94, CI: 2.51-9.71; OR: 2.07, CI: 1.10-3.91). Visiting the ED only once was found to be a negative predictive factor for BPC (OR: 0.28, CI: 0.18-0.45) and HC (OR: 0.18, 0.10-0.31) among patients with cancer visiting the ED.

Conclusions

Our study is the first from this European region to provide information regarding the characteristics of patients with cancer receiving BPC and HC who visited the ED, as well as to identify possible predictive factors of receiving BPC and HC. Our study may have relevant implications for health care planning strategies in practice.

Prevalence and health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults with comorbid cancer and dementia: a longitudinal analysis

OBJECTIVES

To examine health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults with: dementia only, cancer only, and comorbid cancer and dementia.

METHODS

Longitudinal analysis was conducted using data from 2010 to 2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Health outcomes included mortality, limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), nursing home utilization, hospital stay, homecare use, self-rated health, and out-of-pocket medical expenditure. Panel regression was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of comorbid cancer and dementia ranged from 2.56% to 2.97%. Individuals with comorbid cancer and dementia demonstrated a higher likelihood of nursing home utilization and poorer self-rated health but a lower likelihood of hospital stay, homecare use, and out-of-pocket expenditures, compared to the cancer only or dementia only groups. The differences in mortality and ADL and IADL limitations were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Comorbid cancer and dementia predicted longer nursing home utilization and poorer self-rated health. The results help guide care planning for individuals with comorbid cancer and dementia.

Cancer care for people with dementia: Literature overview and recommendations for practice and research

As many countries experience population aging, patients with cancer are becoming older and have more preexisting comorbidities, which include prevalent, age-related, chronic conditions such as dementia. People living with dementia (PLWD) are vulnerable to health disparities, and dementia has high potential to complicate and adversely affect care and outcomes across the cancer trajectory. This report offers an overview of dementia and its prevalence among patients with cancer and a summary of the research literature examining cancer care for PLWD. The reviewed research indicates that PLWD are more likely to have cancer diagnosed at an advanced stage, receive no or less extensive cancer treatment, and have poorer survival after a cancer diagnosis. These cancer disparities do not necessarily signify inappropriately later diagnosis or lower treatment of people with dementia as a group, and they are arguably less feasible and appropriate targets for care optimization. The reviewed research indicates that PLWD also have an increased risk of cancer-related emergency presentations, lower quality processes of cancer-related decision making, accessibility-related barriers to cancer investigations and treatment, higher experienced treatment burden and higher caregiver burden for families, and undertreated cancer-related pain. The authors propose that optimal cancer care for PLWD should focus on proactively minimizing these risk areas and thus must be highly person-centered, with holistic decision making, individualized reasonable adjustments to practice, and strong inclusion and support of family carers. Comprehensive recommendations are made for clinical practice and future research to help clinicians and providers deliver best and equitable cancer care for PLWD and their families.

Hospice Care Improves Patients' Self-Decision Making and Reduces Aggressiveness of End-of-Life Care for Advanced Cancer Patients

The aim of the current study is to evaluate the different degrees of hospice care in improving patients' autonomy in decision-making and reducing aggressiveness of cancer care in terminal-stage cancer patients, especially in reducing polypharmacy and excessive life-sustaining treatments. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in a single medical center in Taiwan. Patients with advanced cancer who died in 2010-2019 were included and classified into three subgroups: hospice ward admission, hospice shared care, and no hospice care involvement. In total, 8719 patients were enrolled, and 2097 (24.05%) admitted to hospice ward; 2107 (24.17%) received hospice shared care, and 4515 (51.78%) had no hospice care. Those admitted to hospice ward had significantly higher rates of having completed do-not-resuscitate order (100%, p < 0.001) and signed the do-not-resuscitate order by themselves (48.83%, p < 0.001), and they had lower aggressiveness of cancer care (2.2, p < 0.001) within the 28 days before death. Hospice ward admission, hospice shared care, and age > 79 years were negatively associated with aggressiveness of cancer care. In conclusion, our study showed that patients with end-of-life hospice care related to higher patient autonomy in decision-making and less excessively aggressive cancer care; the influence of care was more overt in patients approaching death. Further clinical efforts should be made to clarify the patient and the families' satisfaction and perceptions of quality after hospice care involvement.

End-of-Life Costs of Cancer Patients With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in the U.S

CONTEXT

End-of-Life (EOL) care consumes a substantial amount of healthcare resources, especially among older persons with cancer. Having Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) brings additional complexities to these patients' EOL care.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the Medicare expenditures at the EOL (last 12 months of life) among beneficiaries having cancer and ADRD vs. those without ADRD.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study used 2004-2016 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data. Patient populations were deceased Medicare beneficiaries with cancer (breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate) and continuously enrolled for 12 months before death. Beneficiaries with ADRD were propensity score matched with non-ADRD counterparts. Generalized Estimating Equation Model was deployed to estimate monthly Medicare expenditures. Generalized Linear Models were constructed to assess total EOL expenditures.

RESULTS

Eighty six thousand three hundred ninety-six beneficiaries were included (43,198 beneficiaries with ADRD and 43,198 beneficiaries without ADRD). Beneficiaries with ADRD utilized $64,901 at the EOL, which was roughly $407 more than those without ADRD ($64,901 vs. $64,494, P = 0.31). Compared to beneficiaries without ADRD, those with ADRD had 11% higher monthly expenditure and 7% higher in total expenditures. Greater expenditure was incurred on inpatient (5%), skilled nursing facility (SNF) (119%), home health (42%), and hospice (44%) care.

CONCLUSION

Medicare spending at the EOL per beneficiary was not statistically different between cohorts. However, specific types of service (i.e., inpatient, SNF, home health, and hospice) were significantly higher in the ADRD group compared to their non-ADRD counterparts. This study underscored the potential financial burden and informed Medicare about allocation of resources at the EOL.

Definition of patient complexity in adults: A narrative review

Background

Better identification of complex patients could help to improve their care. However, the definition of patient complexity itself is far from obvious. We conducted a narrative review to identify, describe, and synthesize the definitions of patient complexity used in the last 25 years.

Methods

We searched PubMed for articles published in English between January 1995 and September 2020, defining patient complexity. We extended the search to the references of the included articles. We assessed the domains presented in the definitions, and classified the definitions as based on (1) medical aspects (e.g., number of conditions) or (2) medical and/or non-medical aspects (e.g., socio-economic status). We assessed whether the definition was based on a tool (e.g., index) or conceptual model.

Results

Among 83 articles, there was marked heterogeneity in the patient complexity definitions. Domains contributing to complexity included health, demographics, behavior, socio-economic factors, healthcare system, medical decision-making, and environment. Patient complexity was defined according to medical aspects in 30 (36.1%) articles, and to medical and/or non-medical aspects in 53 (63.9%) articles. A tool was used in 36 (43.4%) articles, and a conceptual model in seven (8.4%) articles.

Conclusion

A consensus concerning the definition of patient complexity was lacking. Most definitions incorporated non-medical factors in the definition, underlining the importance of accounting not only for medical but also for non-medical aspects, as well as for their interrelationship.

Prognostication in neurology

Prognosticating is central to primary palliative care in neurology. Many neurologic diseases carry a high burden of troubling symptoms, and many individuals consider health states due to neurologic disease worse than death. Many patients and families report high levels of need for information at all disease stages, including information about prognosis. There are many barriers to communicating prognosis including prognostic uncertainty, lack of training and experience, fear of destroying hope, and not enough time. Developing the right mindset, tools, and skills can improve one's ability to formulate and communicate prognosis. Prognosticating is subject to many biases which can dramatically affect the quality of patient care; it is important for providers to recognize and reduce them. Patients and surrogates often do not hear what they are told, and even when they hear correctly, they form their own opinions. With practice and self-reflection, one can improve their prognostic skills, help patients and families create honest roadmaps of the future, and deliver high-quality person-centered care.

The Impact of Dementia on Cancer Treatment Decision-Making, Cancer Treatment, and Mortality: A Mixed Studies Review

Dementia and cancer occur commonly in older adults. Yet, little is known about the effect of dementia on cancer treatment and outcomes in patients diagnosed with cancer, and no guidelines exist. We performed a mixed studies review to assess the current knowledge and gaps on the impact of dementia on cancer treatment decision-making, cancer treatment, and mortality. A search in PubMed, Medline, and PsycINFO identified 55 studies on older adults with a dementia diagnosis before a cancer diagnosis and/or comorbid cancer and dementia published in English from January 2004 to February 2020. We described variability using range in quantitative estimates, ie, odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratios (HRs), and risk ratios (RR) when appropriate and performed narrative review of qualitative data. Patients with dementia were more likely to receive no curative treatment (including hospice or palliative care) (OR, HR, and RR range = 0.40-4.4, n = 8), while less likely to receive chemotherapy (OR and HR range = 0.11-0.68, n = 8), radiation (OR range = 0.24-0.56, n = 2), and surgery (OR range = 0.30-1.3, n = 4). Older adults with cancer and dementia had higher mortality than those with cancer alone (HR and OR range = 0.92-5.8, n = 33). Summarized findings from qualitative studies consistently revealed that clinicians, caregivers, and patients tended to prefer less aggressive care and gave higher priority to quality of life over life expectancy for those with dementia. Current practices in treatment-decision making for patients with both cancer and dementia are inconsistent. There is an urgent need for treatment guidelines for this growing patient population that considers patient and caregiver perspectives.

Palliative Referrals in Advanced Cancer Patients: Utilizing the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool and Rothman Index

BACKGROUND

Timely identification of palliative care needs can reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life. The Supportive & Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) identifies patients with advanced medical conditions who may need special care planning. The Rothman Index (RI) detects patients at high risk of acutely decompensating in the inpatient setting. SPICT and RI among cancer patients were utilized in this study to evaluate their potential roles in palliative care referrals.

METHODS

Advanced cancer patients admitted to an institution in Baltimore, Maryland in 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, length of hospital stay (LOS), palliative care referrals, RI scores, and SPICT scores were obtained. Patients were divided into SPICT positive or negative and RI > 60 or RI < 60.Unpaired t-tests and chi-square tests were utilized to determine the associations between SPICT and RI and early palliative care needs and mortality.

RESULTS

227 patients were included, with a mean age of 68 years, 63% Black, 59% female, with the majority having lung and GI malignancies. Sixty percent were SPICT +, 21% had RI < 60. SPICT + patients were more likely to have RI < 60 (p = 0.001). SPICT + and RI < 60 patients were more likely to have longer LOS, change in code status, more palliative/hospice referrals, and increased mortality (p <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SPICT and RI are valuable tools in predicting mortality and palliative/hospice care referrals. These can also be utilized to initiate early palliative and goals of care discussions in patients with advanced cancer.

Hospice Utilization in Elderly Patients With Brain Metastases

BACKGROUND

Brain metastases are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Integration of hospice at the end of life offers patients symptom relief and improves quality of life, particularly for elderly patients who are less able to tolerate brain-directed therapy. Population-level investigations of hospice utilization among elderly patients with brain metastases are limited.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare database for primary cancer sites that commonly metastasize to the brain, we identified 50 148 patients (aged 66 years and older) diagnosed with brain metastases between 2005 and 2016. We calculated the incidence, timing, and predictors of hospice enrollment using descriptive techniques and multivariable logistic regression. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

RESULTS

The incidence of hospice enrollment was 71.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 71.0 to 71.9; P < .001), a rate that increased over the study period (P < .001). The odds of enrollment for black (odds ratio [OR] = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.71 to 0.82; P < .001), Hispanic (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.72 to 0.87; P < .001), and Asian patients (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.48 to 0.57; P < .001) were substantially lower than white patients; men were less likely to be enrolled in hospice than women (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.74 to 0.81; P < .001). Among patients enrolled in hospice, 32.6% (95% CI = 32.1 to 33.1; P < .001) were enrolled less than 7 days prior to death, a rate that was stable over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospice is used for a majority of elderly patients with brain metastases although a considerable percentage of patients die without hospice services. Many patients enroll in hospice late and, concerningly, statistically significant sociodemographic disparities exist in hospice utilization. Further investigations to facilitate targeted interventions addressing such disparities are warranted.

Prevalence of multimorbidity in adults with cancer, and associated health service utilization in Ontario, Canada: a population-based retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The majority of people with cancer have at least one other chronic health condition. With each additional chronic disease, the complexity of their care increases, as does the potential for negative outcomes including premature death. In this paper, we describe cancer patients' clinical complexity (i.e., multimorbidity; MMB) in order to inform strategic efforts to improve care and outcomes for people with cancer of all types and commonly occurring chronic diseases.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study of adults diagnosed with cancer between 2003 and 2013 (N = 601,331) identified in Ontario, Canada healthcare administrative data. During a five to 15-year follow-up period (through March 2018), we identified up to 16 co-occurring conditions and patient outcomes for the cohort, including health service utilization and death.

RESULTS

MMB was extremely common, affecting more than 91% of people with cancer. Nearly one quarter (23%) of the population had five or more co-occurring conditions. While we saw no differences in MMB between sexes, MMB prevalence and level increased with age. MMB prevalence and type of co-occurring conditions also varied by cancer type. Overall, MMB was associated with higher rates of health service utilization and mortality, regardless of other patient characteristics, and specific conditions differentially impacted these rates.

CONCLUSIONS

People with cancer are likely to have at least one other chronic medical condition and the presence of MMB negatively affects health service utilization and risk of premature death. These findings can help motivate and inform health system advances to improve care quality and outcomes for people with cancer and MMB.

Palliative versus hospice care in patients with cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend an early access to specialised palliative medicine services for patients with cancer, but studies have reported a continued underuse. Palliative care facilities deliver early care, alongside antineoplastic treatments, whereas hospice care structures intervene lately, when cancer-modifying treatments stop.

AIM

This review identified factors associated with early and late interventions of specialised services, by considering the type of structures studied (palliative vs hospice care).

DESIGN

We performed a systematic review, prospectively registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42018110063).

DATA SOURCES

We searched Medline and Scopus databases for population-based studies. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the study quality using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists.

RESULTS

The 51 included articles performed 67 analyses. Most were based on retrospective cohorts and US populations. The median quality scores were 19/22 for cohorts and 15/16 for cross-sectional studies. Most analyses focused on hospice care (n=37). Older patients, men, people with haematological cancer or treated in small centres had less specialised interventions. Palliative and hospice facilities addressed different populations. Older patients received less palliative care but more hospice care. Patients with high-stage tumours had more palliative care while women and patients with a low comorbidity burden received more hospice care.

CONCLUSION

Main disparities concerned older patients, men and people with haematological cancer. We highlighted the challenges of early interventions for older patients and of late deliveries for men and highly comorbid patients. Additional data on non-American populations, outpatients and factors related to quality of life and socioeconomic status are needed.

"Difficult patients" in the advanced stages of cancer as experienced by nursing staff: A descriptive qualitative study

PURPOSES

"Difficult patients", as labelled by staff members, have been studied for their peculiarities in primary care, family and internal medicine, physiotherapy, psychiatry, dermatology, and dentistry. However, no data has been documented on "difficult patients" in hospice care settings. The aim of the study was to address the following research questions: (a) When do nursing staff label a patient suffering from advanced cancer as "difficult" in a hospice care setting? (b) What are the problems that the nursing staff face in dealing with them, and (c) What are the specific strategies that nursing staff adopt in their daily practice to overcome issues and improve their relationship with "difficult patients"?

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive study design was performed in 2018 and reported according to the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research. Three focus groups were conducted in three hospice settings in Northern Italy by involving 10 nurses and six nurses' aides. Three trained researchers performed interviews based on a set of open questions. Qualitative content analysis of the data collected was then performed by the same researchers.

RESULTS

Participants were labelled "difficult patients" according to three main themes: (1) "Feeling rejected"; (2) "Feeling uncomfortable with the life story experienced by the patient" and (3) "Experiencing the limits of the profession". Participants reported feeling "Frustrated", "Exhausted", "Powerless", "Overwhelmed" or "Embarrassed" when dealing with "difficult patients". Strategies to overcome these issues emerged.

CONCLUSIONS

As in other settings, hospice care nursing staff perceive some patients as "difficult". However, differently from other contexts, "difficult patients" are perceived as such also due to their relatives, who are perceived, in some cases, as being even more "difficult" than the patients themselves. Nursing staff should be aware of their personal attitudes and emotions in caring for patients perceived as "difficult" in order to identify and timely apply strategies to overcome issues that may compromise the therapeutic relationship and quality of care.

Racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer treatment utilization and phase-specific costs, 2000-2014

BACKGROUND

Our study analyzed disparities in utilization and phase-specific costs of care among older colorectal cancer patients in the United States. We also estimated the phase-specific costs by cancer type, stage at diagnosis, and treatment modality.

METHODS

We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database to identify patients aged 66 or older diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer between 2000-2013, with follow-up to death or December 31, 2014. We divided the patient's experience into separate phases of care: staging or surgery, initial, continuing, and terminal. We calculated total, cancer-attributable, and patient-liability costs. We fit logistic regression models to determine predictors of treatment receipt and fit linear regression models to determine relative costs. All costs are reported in 2019 US dollars.

RESULTS

Our cohort included 90,023 colon cancer patients and 25,581 rectal cancer patients. After controlling for patient and clinical characteristics, Non-Hispanic Blacks were less likely to receive treatment but were more likely to have higher cancer-attributable costs within different phases of care. Overall, in both the colon and rectal cancer cohorts, mean monthly cost estimates were highest in the terminal phase, next highest in the staging phase, decreased in the initial phase, and were lowest in the continuing phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial/ethnic disparities in treatment utilization and costs persist among colorectal cancer patients. Additionally, colorectal cancer costs are substantial and vary widely among stages and treatment modalities. This study provides information regarding cost and treatment disparities that can be used to guide clinical interventions and future resource allocation to reduce colorectal cancer burden.

Impact of socioeconomic status on end-of-life costs: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Socioeconomic inequalities in access to, and utilization of medical care have been shown in many jurisdictions. However, the extent to which they exist at end-of-life (EOL) remains unclear.

METHODS

Studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest, Web of Science, Web of Knowledge, and OpenGrey databases were searched through December 2019 with hand-searching of in-text citations. No publication date or language limitations were set. Studies assessing SES (e.g. income) in adults, correlated to EOL costs in last year(s) or month(s) of life were selected. Two independent reviewers performed data abstraction and quality assessment, with inconsistencies resolved by consensus.

RESULTS

A total of twenty articles met eligibility criteria. Two meta-analyses were performed on studies that examined total costs in last year of life - the first examined costs without adjustments for confounders (n = 4), the second examined costs that adjusted for confounders, including comorbidities (n = 2). Among studies which did not adjust for comorbidities, SES was positively correlated with EOL costs (standardized mean difference, 0.13 [95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 0.24]). However, among studies adjusting for comorbidities, SES was inversely correlated with EOL expenditures (regression coefficient, -$150.94 [95% confidence interval, -$177.69 to -$124.19], 2015 United States Dollars (USD)). Higher ambulatory care and drug expenditure were consistently found among higher SES patients irrespective of whether or not comorbidity adjustment was employed.

CONCLUSION

Overall, an inequality leading to higher end-of-life expenditure for higher SES patients existed to varying extents, even within countries providing universal health care, with greatest differences seen for outpatient and prescription drug costs. The magnitude and directionality of the relationship in part depended on whether comorbidity risk-adjustment methodology was employed.

Factors Affecting Racial Disparities in End-of-Life Care Costs Among Lung Cancer Patients: A SEER-Medicare-based Study

OBJECTIVES

Racial disparities exist in end-of-life lung cancer care, which could potentially lead to considerable racial differences in end-of-life care costs. This study for the first time estimates the racial differences in end-of-life care costs among lung cancer patients, and identifies and quantifies factors that contribute the most to these differences using a statistical decomposition method.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of patients 66 years and older, diagnosed with stage I-IV lung cancer, who died on or before December 31, 2013, using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result-Medicare data from 1991 to 2013. Ordinary least square regression of logarithmically transformed cost was used to estimate racial differences in end-of-life care costs among lung cancer patients. Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition was used to identify and quantify factors that contributed the most to these differences.

RESULTS

Non-Hispanic blacks had 10% to 13% higher end-of-life care costs as compared with non-Hispanic whites. Geographic variations, baseline comorbidity indices and stage at diagnosis contributed the most to explaining the racial differences in costs, with geographic variation explaining most of the differences. However, the observed factors could only explain 25% to 32% of the racial differences in end-of-life care costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Geographic differences in access to timely and appropriate care, and provider practice patterns, should be examined to understand the reasons behind geographic variations in racial disparity. Provider-level educational interventions to reduce small area practice variations and differential management of patients by race, as well as racially sensitive patient-level educational and navigational interventions might be critical in improving quality of care and reducing costs during end-of-life.

Health care utilization by men with prostate cancer during the year before their death: A 2015 population-based study

INTRODUCTION

To study the characteristics and health care utilization of men with prostate cancer (PCa) during their last year and last month of life, as these data have been rarely reported to date.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD

Men covered by the national health Insurance general scheme (77% of the French population) treated for PCa (2014-2015), who died in 2015 were identified in the national health data system, including reimbursed hospital and outpatient care, and their causes of death.

RESULTS

A total of 11,193 men (mean age: 81 years, SD: 9.6) were included. Almost 58% of these men died in a short-stay hospital (SSH), 4% died in hospital-at-home, 9% died in Rehab, 9% died in skilled nursing homes and 21% died at home. During the last year of life, almost all men were hospitalised at least once in SSH and 47% received hospital palliative care (HPC), immediately prior to death in 8% of cases. During the last month of life, 76% of men were hospitalised at least once in SSH, 43% attended an emergency department and 14% were admitted to intensive care, 7% received a chemotherapy session, and 24% received an antineoplastic agent dispensed by a retail pharmacy. Cancer was the main cause of death for 63% of men, corresponding to PCa in 40% of cases, and cardiovascular disease was the main cause of death for 13% of men with marked variations according to age, place of death, and use of HPC. The mean cost reimbursed per man during the last year of life was €38,750 (€48,601 including HPC).

CONCLUSIONS

In France, end-of-life management of men with PCa, regardless of the cause of death, is centered on SSH and HPC, essentially at the time of death. Certain indicators of end-of-life management were particular high.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Nonprescription Medication Use in Hospice Patients

Objective:

Patients admitted to hospice are more vulnerable to age-related physiologic changes, polypharmacy, and inappropriate medication use and monitoring. The objective of this study was to characterize the utilization of nonprescription medications in a hospice population.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study designed to characterize nonprescription or over-the-counter medication use in hospice patients. Data for this study were provided by Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, a national hospice organization with licenses to operate in 19 states and collected from January 1 to December 31, 2016. The most frequently utilized nonprescription medications, therapeutic classes, and the frequency of patients with at least 1 claim within a therapeutic class were summarized.

Results:

The final study population included 62 639 orders representing 15 164 patients. The average age was 79.31 years with a standard deviation of 13.31 years. The average length of stay was 26.80 days with a standard deviation of 44.14 days. The top 5 most common medications were as follows: acetaminophen (25.15%), bisacodyl (21.69%), senna (8.35%), omeprazole (4.51%), and docusate (4.46%). Approximately 13 714 (29.67%) of patients were exposed to analgesics, 13 469 (29.14%) to laxatives, and 3535 (7.65%) to antacids or antigas medications.

Conclusion:

This study highlights numerous opportunities for improvement in the use of nonprescription medications among hospice patients. Reducing the use of nonprescription medications that are ineffective or produce unwanted side effects can contribute to improving the quality of care that patients receive.

The Impact of Advance Care Planning on End-of-Life Care: Do the Type and Timing Make a Difference for Patients With Advanced Cancer Referred to Hospice?

Purpose:

This study aimed to determine the impact of advanced care planning (ACP) on potentially avoidable hospital admissions at the end of life (EOL) among a sample of hospice-referred patients with cancer, in order to present actionable considerations for the practicing clinician.

Methods:

This study was designed as a retrospective cohort using electronic health record data that assessed likelihood of hospital admissions in the last 30 days of life for 1185 patients with a primary diagnosis of cancer, referred to hospice between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2015, at a large academic medical center. Inverse probability treatment weighting based on calculated propensity scores balanced measured covariates between those with and without ACP at baseline. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated from estimated potential outcome means for the impact of ACP on admissions in the last 30 days of life.

Results:

A verified do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order prior to the last 30 days of life was associated with reduced odds of admission compared to those without a DNR (OR = 0.30; P < .001). An ACP note in the problem list prior to the last 30 days of life was associated with reduced odds of admission compared to those without an ACP note (OR = 0.71, P = .042), and further reduced odds if done 6 months prior to death (OR = 0.35, P < .001).

Conclusions:

This study shows that dedicated ACP documentation is associated with fewer admissions in the last 30 days of life for patients with advanced cancer referred to hospice. Improving ACP processes prior to hospice referral holds promise for reducing EOL admissions.

[Non-programmed hospitalization of elderly patients with cancer: Which care pathway?]

INTRODUCTION

Management of elderly patients with cancer is challenging worldwide. Improvement of their care pathway should focus on unplanned hospitalizations. This study aimed to compare the geriatric and oncologic profiles of elderly patients with cancer, hospitalized for an acute pathology either in medical oncology or acute geriatric medicine units.

METHODS

Epidemiological, analytical, monocentric, transversal study performed in the geriatric and oncological short-stay units of the university hospital of Poitiers (France) from 07/01/2014 to 06/30/2015. Only patients with diagnosed cancer prior to hospitalization were included. The geriatric, oncological and hospitalization data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 230 patients were included (156 in geriatrics, 74 in oncology). Alteration of the general condition was the most frequent reason for admission. In multivariate age-adjusted analyses, factors associated with admission to a geriatric unit were co-morbidities (OR=0.18 [95% CI: 0.07-0.46], P<0.01) and dependence (OR=0.07 [95% CI: 0.01-0.36], P<0.01). Ongoing antineoplastic treatment (OR=2.60 [95%CI: 1.14-5.89], P=0.02) and metastatic cancer (OR=2.63 [95%CI: 1.18-5.86], P=0.02) influenced hospitalization in the oncology unit. During the hospital stay there was more frequent psychological support in oncology (OR=45.59 [95%CI: 9.79-212.23], P<0.01) and social support in Geriatrics (OR=0.13 [95% CI: 0.04-0.40], P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

This first comparative study showed a significant difference in profiles of elderly patients with cancer hospitalized for an acute problem, depending on the hospital unit. This finding paves the way of improvement of care pathway by formalizing links between these two departments to optimize care and referrals to the most appropriate care unit, according to patients condition, in case of unscheduled hospitalization.

Hospice utilization in advanced cervical malignancies: An analysis of the National Inpatient Sample

OBJECTIVE

Hospice services improve quality of life and outcomes for patients and caretakers, compared to inpatient mortality. This study identifies factors that exert the strongest influence on end-of-life care modalities in patients with cervical cancer.

METHODS

Admissions with a diagnosis of cervical cancer that were discharged to hospice or died in-hospital were identified in the National Inpatient Sample years 2007-2011, excluding admissions coded for hysterectomy. Logistic regression models were used to examine differences in age, race, length of stay, primary payer, hospital region, admission type, hospital bedsize, hospital teaching status, income quartile, and Elixhauser comorbidity index score between the groups.

RESULTS

2073 admissions with a diagnosis of cervical cancer resulting in hospice discharge (n = 1290) or inpatient death (n = 783) were identified. Age (P = 0.01), hospital region (P = 0.01), length of hospitalization (P < 0.01), Elixhauser comorbidity index score (P = 0.03), and urban vs. rural location (P = 0.01) had a significant impact on disposition in univariate analysis. Admissions of patients categorized as Asian/Pacific Islander (OR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.11-4.49), hospitalizations lasting 0-3 days (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.21-2.03), and admissions in rural areas (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.12-2.36) had higher rates of in-hospital death compared to the reference groups. Patients aged 18-45 years (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.52-0.90) and those treated in the South (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.45-0.77) and West (OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.30-0.81) had lower odds ratios of inpatient mortality.

CONCLUSION

Modalities of care in terminal cervical cancer vary among sociodemographic and clinical factors. This data underscores the continued push for improved end-of-life care among cervical cancer patients and can guide clinicians in appropriate targeted counseling to increase utilization of hospice resources.

A systematic review of the prevalence of comorbid cancer and dementia and its implications for cancer-related care

OBJECTIVES

A comorbid diagnosis of cancer and dementia (cancer-dementia) may have unique implications for patient cancer-related experience. The objectives were to estimate prevalence of cancer-dementia and related experiences of people with dementia, their carers and cancer clinicians including cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care.

METHOD

Databases were searched (CINAHL, Psychinfo, Medline, Embase, BNI) using key terms such as dementia, cancer and experience. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) English language, (b) published any time until early 2016, (c) diagnosis of cancer-dementia and (d) original articles that assessed prevalence and/or cancer-related experiences including screening, cancer treatment and survival. Due to variations in study design and outcomes, study data were synthesised narratively.

RESULTS

Forty-seven studies were included in the review with a mix of quantitative (n = 44) and qualitative (n = 3) methodologies. Thirty-four studies reported varied cancer-dementia prevalence rates (range 0.2%-45.6%); the others reported reduced likelihood of receiving: cancer screening, cancer staging information, cancer treatment with curative intent and pain management, compared to those with cancer only. The findings indicate poorer cancer-related clinical outcomes including late diagnosis and higher mortality rates in those with cancer-dementia despite greater health service use.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a dearth of good-quality evidence investigating the cancer-dementia prevalence and its implications for successful cancer treatment. Findings suggest that dementia is associated with poorer cancer outcomes although the reasons for this are not yet clear. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of cancer-dementia and enable patients, carers and clinicians to make informed cancer-related decisions.

Prevalence of Preventive and Symptomatic Drug Treatments in Hospice Care: An Italian Observational Study

BACKGROUND

The aim of pharmacotherapy in people at the end of life should be symptom control, more than prolonging life. Drugs for disease prevention should therefore be discouraged, but this is not the usual practice. The prevalence of unnecessary preventive drugs at the end of life is not well described, although some studies suggest it is common.

METHODS

This retrospective longitudinal study describes the prevalence of patients receiving preventive and symptomatic drug treatments at admission (T₁) and before death (T₂) in an Italian hospice. All adults admitted to the VIDAS hospice between March 2015 and February 2017 were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

The study sample comprised 589 end-of-life patients with a mean age of 75.3 (12.1) years. The mean number of drugs decreased from admission to the hospice to the time of death (mean [standard deviation]: 9.7 [3.4] and 8.7 [3.0]). All patients were appropriately treated with symptomatic drugs at T₁ and T₂, while there were significantly fewer patients from T₁ to T₂ with at least 1 preventive medication that could be considered for deprescription at the end of life (511, 86.8% and 286, 48.6%; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospice admission can be associated with a definite reduction in the use of commonly prescribed preventive medications. However, about half of end-of-life patients can be prescribed avoidable medications. Drugs for peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease and antithrombotics were the potentially avoidable preventive medications most frequently prescribed at admission to the hospice and before death.

Barriers and facilitators to knowledge transfer and exchange in palliative care research

In order to ensure the effective transfer of research knowledge to those who can effect positive changes in practice, models of knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) are required. Limited evidence exists as to how palliative care researchers use existing models to support their practice and to what extent they are perceived as effective. We set out to identify factors that influence KTE planning and implementation through semistructured interviews with experienced palliative care researchers in Ireland. Issues around KTE were drawn out through thematic analysis. Nine interviews were held with investigators on eight research projects. Ten themes were identified and categorised as either barriers or facilitators to KTE. Perceived barriers included inadequate time and funding, limited institutional capacity, competing priorities, weak communication channels and negative perceptions of palliative care. Perceived facilitators included dedicated time and resources, aligned priorities, strong professional networks, multipronged approach and KTE experience. In order to improve the quality, acceptability and reach of palliative research, it is vital that researchers improve their understanding of KTE within the context of palliative care, moving beyond academic dissemination to achieve research-informed practice by overcoming barriers to KTE through facilitated action. This study provides an overview of factors that influence KTE planning and implementation among palliative care researchers.

Inpatient utilization and disparities: The last year of life of adolescent and young adult oncology patients in California

BACKGROUND

Studies of adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology end-of-life care utilization are critical because cancer is the leading cause of nonaccidental AYA death and end-of-life care contributes significantly to health care expenditures. This study was designed to determine the quantity of and disparities in inpatient utilization in the last year of life of AYAs with cancer.

METHODS

The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development administrative discharge database, linked to death certificates, was used to perform a population-based analysis of cancer patients aged 15 to 39 years who died in 2000-2011. The number of hospital days and the inpatient costs were determined for each patient in the last year of his or her life, as were clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with high inpatient utilization. Admission patterns as death approached were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The 12,883 patients were admitted for 40 days on average in the last year of life, and this cost $151,072 per patient in inpatient costs. As death approached, the admission rates and the percentage of all admissions occurring at nonspecialty centers increased. Five percent of patients used 20% of bed days in the last year (high utilizers). Factors associated with high utilization included younger age (15-30 years), Hispanic ethnicity, non-health maintenance organization insurance, and hematologic malignancies.

CONCLUSIONS

AYA oncology decedents were admitted for 40 days in their last year of life. Subgroups with high utilization had distinct sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and nonspecialty center admissions increased as death approached. This demonstrates the need for palliative care at nonspecialty centers. Future studies need to determine whether these patterns are goal-concurrent, include high utilizers, and monitor the effects of health care reform. Cancer 2018;124:1819-27. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Hospitalization Rates and Predictors of Rehospitalization Among Individuals With Advanced Cancer in the Year After Diagnosis

Purpose Among individuals with advanced cancer, frequent hospitalization increasingly is viewed as a hallmark of poor-quality care. We examined hospitalization rates and individual- and hospital-level predictors of rehospitalization among individuals with advanced cancer in the year after diagnosis. Methods Individuals diagnosed with advanced breast, colorectal, non-small-cell lung, or pancreatic cancer from 2009 to 2012 (N = 25,032) were identified with data from the California Cancer Registry (CCR). After linkage with inpatient discharge data, multistate and log-linear Poisson regression models were used to calculate hospitalization rates and to model rehospitalization in the year after diagnosis, accounting for survival. Results In the year after diagnosis, 71% of individuals with advanced cancer were hospitalized, 16% had three or more hospitalizations, and 64% of hospitalizations originated in the emergency department. Rehospitalization rates were significantly associated with black non-Hispanic (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.29; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.42) and Hispanic (IRR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.20) race/ethnicity; public insurance (IRR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.47) and no insurance (IRR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.35); lower socioeconomic status quintiles (IRRs, 1.09 to 1.29); comorbidities (IRRs, 1.13 to 1.59); and pancreatic (IRR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.95 to 2.20) and non-small-cell lung (IRR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.54 to 1.86) cancers versus colorectal cancer. Rehospitalization rates were significantly lower after discharge from a hospital that had an outpatient palliative care program (IRR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.97) and were higher after discharge from a for-profit hospital (IRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.56). Conclusion Individuals with advanced cancer experience a heavy burden of hospitalization in the year after diagnosis. Efforts to reduce hospitalization and provide care congruent with patient preferences might target individuals at higher risk. Future work might explore access to palliative care in the community and related health care use among individuals with advanced cancer.

Predictors of high healthcare costs in elderly patients with liver cancer in end-of-life: a longitudinal population-based study

BACKGROUND

Studies have indicated a pervasive pattern of decreasing healthcare costs during elderly patients' last year of life. The aim of this study was to explore the predictors of high healthcare costs (HC) in elderly liver cancer patients in Taiwan during their last month of life (LML).

METHODS

Costs of hospitalization, outpatient visits, aggressiveness of care, and associated costs for elderly (age ≥ 65 y) patients with liver cancer in the LML were analyzed using a national insurance database. An HC was defined as being greater than the 90th percentile (US $5093) in the LML, amounting to 38.95% of total healthcare costs.

RESULTS

We enrolled 2121 subjects who died during 1997-2011. Mean healthcare costs per person in their LML were US $8042 ± 3477 in the HC group and US $1407 ± 1464 in the non-HC group (p < 0.001). For patients receiving aggressive end-of-life (EOL) cancer care (e.g. intensive care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, anticancer treatment, and a high number of admission days), comorbidities of chronic kidney disease, esophageal bleeding, and receiving opioids in the LML, were significantly independent positive predictors of HCs; but admission times, comorbidities of ascites, and hypertension were negative predictors.

CONCLUSION

These findings could inform healthcare providers by avoiding aggressive treatments during EOL for elderly patients with liver cancer and to save on healthcare costs. Shorter admission days and more admission times in the last month of life could decrease healthcare costs.

Associations of Hospice Disenrollment and Hospitalization With Continuous Home Care Provision

OBJECTIVES

To examine rates of hospice disenrollment and posthospice hospitalization among patients who are enrolled in hospices that provide continuous home care (CHC) (CHC hospices) compared with patients who are enrolled in hospices that do not offer CHC (non-CHC hospices).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study among Medicare fee-for-service decedents between July and December 2011, who were 66 years and older and had used hospice in their last 6 months of life. We used propensity score matching to account for potential confounding characteristics of hospices. Generalized estimating equation models were applied to estimate between CHC hospices and non-CHC hospices the associations of hospice disenrollment/hospitalization, adjusted for patient characteristics. We also conducted subgroup analyses to examine how the association might have differed by hospice size, and by the percentage of enrollees who received CHC.

RESULTS

After matching, we identified 936 pairs of CHC and non-CHC hospices, well balanced in terms of organizational characteristics. In fully adjusted models, compared with non-CHC hospices, CHC hospices had significantly lower disenrollment rates (adjusted rate ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.87), and lower hospitalization rates (adjusted rate ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.95). These associations were significantly more pronounced among larger hospices (those with >175 enrollees during study period), and among hospices in which at least 7.3% of enrollees used CHC.

CONCLUSIONS

CHC hospices had significantly lower rates of hospice disenrollment and posthospice hospitalization, suggesting CHC service available may enable higher quality of end-of-life care.

Health-Care Utilization After Hospice Enrollment in Patients With Heart Failure and Cancer

This study aimed to examine the role of diagnosis in health-care utilization patterns after hospice enrollment. Using 2007 National Home and Hospice Care Survey data from hospice patients with heart failure (n = 311) and cancer (n = 946), we analyzed emergency service use and discharge to hospital via logistic regression pre- and postpropensity score matching. Prematching, patients with heart failure had twice the odds of emergency services use than patients with cancer ( P < .001) and twice the odds of discharge to hospital ( P = .02). Differences were reduced postmatching for emergency service use (odds ratio [OR]: 1.6, P = .05) and eliminated for discharge to hospital (OR: 1.32, P = .45). Health-care utilization correlates included diagnosis, place of care, and advance directives. Attention to the unique needs of patients with heart failure is needed, along with improved advanced care planning.

Cancer and dementia: an exploratory study of the experience of cancer treatment in people with dementia

OBJECTIVE

Patients with comorbid cancer and dementia have poorer outcomes than those without dementia. We observe oncology teams managing patients with dementia and memory loss and explore these patients' needs and experiences of outpatient cancer services.

METHODS

A single site investigation of case study design to examine practices in four clinics using multi-methods of data collection: retrospective note review, observation, interviews, and recorded consultations. A framework analytic approach identifies themes within and across cases.

RESULTS

Thirty-three clinical encounters with patients with memory loss were observed. Ten consultations were audio-recorded and 16 individuals interviewed (n = 6 patients-carer dyads, n = 1 lone patient, and n = 5 staff). Medical records were reviewed for 338 cases. Cancer referrals did not document memory health, so clinicians rely on patient/carer disclosure to identify patients with memory problems. In practice, the problem often remains hidden. Treating teams who do become aware of memory difficulties are unsure how to support patients, but marked memory loss can limit treatment options and preclude radical intent. Carers are key facilitators of successful cancer consultations and management. Their support needs are largely unrecognized.

CONCLUSIONS

Training that educates cancer teams on how to identify and support individuals with memory problems before and during treatment and recognize the carer role may facilitate complex cancer care and help reduce inequalities of outcomes.

The Impact of Reported Hospice Preferred Practices on Hospital Utilization at the End of Life

BACKGROUND

The Affordable Care Act requires hospices to report quality measures across a range of processes and practices. Yet uncertainties exist regarding the impact of hospice preferred practices on patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

Assess the impact of 6 hospice preferred practices and hospice organizational characteristics on hospital utilization and death using the first national data on hospice preferred practices.

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort study (2008-2011) of Medicare beneficiaries (N=149,814) newly enrolled in a national random sample of hospices (N=577) from the National Hospice Survey (84% response rate) and followed until death.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The proportion of patients at each hospice admitted to the hospital, emergency department (ED), and intensive care unit (ICU), and who died in the hospital after hospice enrollment.

RESULTS

Hospices that reported assessing patient preferences for site of death at admission had lower odds of being in the highest quartile for hospital death (AOR=0.36; 95% CI, 0.14-0.93) and ED visits (AOR=0.27; 95% CI, 0.10-0.76). Hospices that reported more frequently monitoring symptoms had lower odds of being in the highest quartile for ICU stays (AOR=0.48; 95% CI, 0.24-0.94). In adjusted analyses, a higher proportion of patients at for-profit compared with nonprofit hospices experienced a hospital admission (15.3% vs. 10.9%, P<0.001), ED visit (21.8% vs. 15.6%, P<0.001), and ICU stay (5.1% vs. 3.0%, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalization of patients following hospice enrollment varies substantially across hospices. Two of the 6 preferred practices examined were associated with hospitalization rates and for-profit hospices had persistently high hospitalization rates regardless of preferred practice implementation.

Relationship Between Quality of Comorbid Condition Care and Costs for Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE

To estimate the association between cancer survivors' comorbid condition care quality and costs; to determine whether the association differs between cancer survivors and other patients.

METHODS

Using the SEER-Medicare-linked database, we identified survivors of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers who were diagnosed in 2004, enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service for at least 12 months before diagnosis, and survived ≥ 3 years. Quality of care was assessed using nine process indicators for chronic conditions, and a composite indicator representing seven avoidable outcomes. Total costs on the basis of Medicare amount paid were grouped as inpatient and outpatient. We examined the association between care quality and costs for cancer survivors, and compared this association among 2:1 frequency-matched noncancer controls, using comparisons of means and generalized linear regressions.

RESULTS

Our sample included 8,661 cancer survivors and 17,332 matched noncancer controls. Receipt of recommended care was associated with higher outpatient costs for eight indicators, and higher inpatient and total costs for five indicators. For three measures (visit every 6 months for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or diabetes, and glycosylated hemoglobin or fructosamine every 6 months for patients with diabetes), costs for cancer survivors who received recommended care increased less than for noncancer controls. The absence of avoidable events was associated with lower costs of each type. An annual eye examination for patients with diabetes was associated with lower inpatient costs.

CONCLUSION

Higher-quality processes of care may not reduce short-term costs, but the prevention of avoidable outcomes reduces costs. The association between quality and cost was similar for cancer survivors and noncancer controls.

Health service use and costs in the last 6 months of life in elderly decedents with a history of cancer: a comprehensive analysis from a health payer perspective

Background:

There is growing interest in end-of-life care in cancer patients. We aim to characterise health service use and costs in decedents with cancer history and examine factors associated with resource use and costs at life's end.

Methods:

We used routinely collected claims data to quantify health service use and associated costs in two cohorts of elderly Australians diagnosed with cancer: one cohort died from cancer (n=4271) and the other from non-cancer causes (n=3072). We used negative binomial regression to examine the factors associated with these outcomes.

Results:

Those who died from cancer had significantly higher rates of hospitalisations and medicine use but lower rates of emergency department use than those who died from non-cancer causes. Overall health care costs were significantly higher in those who died from cancer than those dying from other causes; and 40% of costs were expended in the last month of life.

Conclusions:

We analysed health services use and costs from a payer perspective, and highlight important differences in patterns of care by cause of death in patients with a cancer history. In particular, there are growing numbers of highly complex patients approaching the end of life and the heterogeneity of these populations may present challenges for effective health service delivery.

Assessment of the impact of comorbidity on the survival of cancer patients treated by palliative care teams

OBJECTIVE

The usefulness of the age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) as a gauge of the impact of comorbidity on survival is known in the geriatric population. In palliative care, there is little research studying the correlation between comorbidity and survival in the advanced stages of oncological disease. The aim of our study was to explore the impact of comorbidity, measured with the ACCI, on survival in our patients. Our hypothesis was that higher ACCI scores would be associated with lower survival rates after the first visit.

METHOD

We conducted a prospective observational study over one year. Patients were attended by palliative home care teams. The main variables were: survival from metastatic disease after the first visit and ACCI score on the first visit. We also employed a descriptive analysis and a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, including different ranges of ACCI scores.

RESULTS

The final sample included 66 subjects. The standard patient was a 76-year-old man with lung cancer who had received chemotherapy. The overall average ACCI score was 10.45. Significant differences were found between the different locations of metastatic disease (greater survivals in breast, ovary, and prostate; p = 0.005) and some treatments (hormone and radiotherapy; p = 0.001 for each), but not from the first visit. We found lower survival rates among lung cancer patients with higher comorbidity (ACCI ≥ 11, p = 0.047), with no differences on other primary locations or overall values.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

The data show that comorbidity measured by the ACCI may be an interesting prognostic factor during the late stages of disease, as we have found in lung cancer. More research is certainly needed.

Rural-Urban Differences in Costs of End-of-Life Care for Elderly Cancer Patients in the United States

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to examine the rural-urban differences in Medicare expenditures on end-of-life care for elderly cancer patients in the United States.

METHODS

We analyzed Medicare claims data for 175,181 elderly adults with lung, colorectal, female breast, or prostate cancer diagnosis who died in 2008. The end-of-life costs were quantified as total Medicare expenditures for the last 12 months of care including inpatient, outpatient, physician services, hospice, home health, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), and durable medical expenditure. Linear regression models were used to estimate rural-urban differences in log-transformed end-of-life costs and logistic regressions were used to estimate probability of service use, adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities.

FINDINGS

On average, elderly cancer patients cost Medicare $51,273, $50,274, $62,815, and $50,941 in the last year for breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer, respectively. Rural patients cost Medicare about 10%, 6%, 8%, and 4% less on end-of-life care than their urban counterparts for breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer, respectively. Rural cancer patients were less likely to use hospice and home health, more likely to use outpatient and SNF, and they cost Medicare less on inpatient and physician services and more on outpatient care conditional on service use.

CONCLUSIONS

The lower Medicare spending on end-of-life care for the rural cancer patients suggests disparities based on place of residence. A future study that delineates the source of the rural-urban difference can help us understand whether it indicates inappropriate level of palliative care and find effective policies to reduce the urban-rural disparities.

Resource use, costs and quality of end-of-life care: observations in a cohort of elderly Australian cancer decedents

Background

The last year of life is one of the most resource-intensive periods for people with cancer. Very little population-based research has been conducted on end-of-life cancer care in the Australian health care setting. The objective of this program is to undertake a series of observational studies examining resource use, costs and quality of end-of-life care in a cohort of elderly cancer decedents using linked, routinely collected data.

Methods/Design

This study forms part of an ongoing cancer health services research program. The cohorts for the end-of-life research program comprise Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs decedents with full health care entitlements, residing in NSW for the last 18 months of life and dying between 2005 and 2009. We used cancer and death registry data to identify our decedent cohorts and their causes of death. The study population includes 9,862 decedents with a cancer history and 15,483 decedents without a cancer history. The median age at death is 86 and 87 years in the cancer and non-cancer cohorts, respectively. We will examine resource use and associated costs in the last 6 months of life using linked claims data to report on health service use, hospitalizations, emergency department visits and medicines use. We will use best practice methods to examine the nature and extent of resource use, costs and quality of care based on previously published indicators. We will also examine factors associated with these outcomes.

Discussion

This will be the first Australian research program and among the first internationally to combine routinely collected data from primary care and hospital-based care to examine comprehensively end-of-life care in the elderly. The research program has high translational value, as there is limited evidence about the nature and quality of care in the Australian end-of-life setting.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13012-014-0148-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Retrospective studies of end-of-life resource utilization and costs in cancer care using health administrative data: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

There has been an increase in observational studies using health administrative data to examine the nature, quality, and costs of care at life's end, particularly in cancer care.

AIM

To synthesize retrospective observational studies on resource utilization and/or costs at the end of life in cancer patients. We also examine the methods and outcomes of studies assessing the quality of end-of-life care.

DESIGN

A systematic review according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and AMSTAR (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) methodology.

DATA SOURCES

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and York Centre for Research and Dissemination (1990-2011). Independent reviewers screened abstracts of 14,424 articles, and 835 full-text manuscripts were further reviewed. Inclusion criteria were English-language; at least one resource utilization or cost outcome in adult cancer decedents with solid tumors; outcomes derived from health administrative data; and an exclusive end-of-life focus.

RESULTS

We reviewed 78 studies examining end-of-life care in over 3.7 million cancer decedents; 33 were published since 2008. We observed exponential increases in service use and costs as death approached; hospital services being the main cost driver. Palliative services were relatively underutilized and associated with lower expenditures than hospital-based care. The 15 studies using quality indicators demonstrated that up to 38% of patients receive chemotherapy or life-sustaining treatments in the last month of life and up to 66% do not receive hospice/palliative services.

CONCLUSION

Observational studies using health administrative data have the potential to drive evidence-based palliative care practice and policy. Further development of quality care markers will enhance benchmarking activities across health care jurisdictions, providers, and patient populations.

Commonly prescribed medications in a population of hospice patients

Although much attention has been placed on appropriate symptom management at the end of life, little is known about the medications actually prescribed to people in hospice care. The purpose of this study was to determine the most commonly prescribed medications in a population of hospice patients. A retrospective review of a patient information database was conducted. The 6 most common drugs (acetaminophen, morphine, haloperidol, lorazepam, prochlorperazine, and atropine) were included in emergency kits provided to patients at admission. Opioid and nonopioid analgesics, anxiolytics, anticholinergics, and antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed pharmacologic classes. This description of prescribing practices could be useful in creating more informed care plans, educating health care personnel, and anticipating the changing medication needs of patients as they enter hospice care.

Linking Medicare, Medicaid, and cancer registry data to study the burden of cancers in West Virginia

OBJECTIVE

Develop the WVCR-Linked dataset by combining the West Virginia Cancer Registry (WVCR) with Medicare, Medicaid, and other data sources. Determine health care utilization, costs, and overall burden of four major cancers among the elderly in a rural and medically underserved state population, and to compare them with national estimates.

METHOD

We extracted personal identifiers from the West Virginia Cancer Registry (WVCR) data file for individuals ≥ 65 years of age with an incident diagnosis of any cancer between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2007. We linked the extracted data with Medicare and Medicaid administrative data using deterministic record linkage procedures. We updated missing vital status information by linking the National Death Index (NDI) data file. The updated WVCR-Linked dataset was enriched by links to the U.S. decennial census (2000) file and the Area Resource File.

RESULTS

We identified 42,333 individuals, of which 41,574 (98.2%) and 6,031 (14.3%) individuals were matched with Medicare and Medicaid administrative data files, respectively. The NDI data added or updated vital status information for 3,295 (7.8%) individuals in the WVCR-Linked dataset.

CONCLUSION

The WVCR-Linked dataset is a comprehensive dataset offering many opportunities to understand factors related to cancer treatment patterns, costs, and outcomes in a rural and medically underserved elderly Appalachian population. Following our example, non-participant states in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program can build a powerful dataset to identify and target cancer disparities, and to improve cancer-related outcomes for their elderly and dual-eligible citizens.