Comparison of Epithor clinical national database and medico-administrative database to identify the influence of case-mix on the estimation of hospital outliers

Profiles, diagnostic process, and patterns of care of patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer: A French national study

BACKGROUND

The management of stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains heterogeneous and complex, even after the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors post-chemoradiotherapy (CRT). This observational study from France evaluated real-world practices in managing stage III NSCLC.

METHODS

Between 2020 and 2022, we conducted a physician practice survey in 41 medical centers across France, and retrospectively analyzed aggregated information from 417 consecutive charts of patients with stage III NSCLC. We collected information on diagnostic and staging procedures, biomarker testing, surgical and non-surgical treatments, and follow-up.

RESULTS

According to the physician survey, diagnostic workup of stage III NSCLC primarily relied on positron emission tomography/computed tomography and brain magnetic resonance imaging, performed for the majority of patients in 100 % and 78 % of centers, respectively. Of 417 patient charts, 414 were evaluable with 53 % of patients having stage IIIA disease, 37 % IIIB, and 10 % IIIC. The most common node involvement was N2 (59 %). Programmed death-ligand 1 testing was conducted for 98 % of patients. Invasive staging (mediastinoscopy or endobronchial ultrasound) was performed in 41 % of patients, of whom 83 % had N2 or N3 nodal involvement. Surgical resection was offered to 120 patients (29 %), with 85 % achieving R0 resection. In 292 charts of patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC, 190 patients (65 %) were offered CRT followed by consolidation immunotherapy. Within these patients, concurrent CRT was more frequently employed (52 %) than sequential CRT (13 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic procedures and treatment modalities in French medical centers generally align with clinical guidelines for stage III NSCLC, except for invasive staging that was less commonly performed than expected.

Is the Validity of Logistic Regression Models Developed with a National Hospital Database Inferior to Models Developed from Clinical Databases to Analyze Surgical Lung Cancers?

In national hospital databases, certain prognostic factors cannot be taken into account. The main objective was to estimate the performance of two models based on two databases: the Epithor clinical database and the French hospital database. For each of the two databases, we randomly sampled a training dataset with 70% of the data and a validation dataset with 30%. The performance of the models was assessed with the Brier score, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC ROC) curve and the calibration of the model. For Epithor and the hospital database, the training dataset included 10,516 patients (with resp. 227 (2.16%) and 283 (2.7%) deaths) and the validation dataset included 4507 patients (with resp. 93 (2%) and 119 (2.64%) deaths). A total of 15 predictors were selected in the models (including FEV1, body mass index, ASA score and TNM stage for Epithor). The Brier score values were similar in the models of the two databases. For validation data, the AUC ROC curve was 0.73 [0.68-0.78] for Epithor and 0.8 [0.76-0.84] for the hospital database. The slope of the calibration plot was less than 1 for the two databases. This work showed that the performance of a model developed from a national hospital database is nearly as good as a performance obtained with Epithor, but it lacks crucial clinical variables such as FEV1, ASA score, or TNM stage.

Relationship Between Preoperative Inflammation Ratios Derived From Preoperative Blood Cell Count and Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Patients Undergoing Lobectomy: A Single-Center Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the association of inflammatory cell ratios, especially neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), based on preoperative complete blood counts, with postoperative complications in lobectomy surgery.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective monocentric cohort study.

SETTING

The study was conducted at Foch University Hospital in Suresnes, France.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients having undergone a scheduled lobectomy from January 2018 to September 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

There were no interventions.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The authors studied 208 consecutive patients. Preoperative NLR, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, systemic inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, and aggregate inflammation systemic index were calculated. Median and (IQR) of NLR was 2.67 (1.92-3.69). No statistically significant association was observed between any index and the occurrence of at least one major postoperative complication, which occurred in 37% of the patients. Median postoperative length of stay was 7 (5-10) days. None of the ratios was associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS), defined as a LOS above the 75th percentile.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that simple available inflammatory ratios are not useful for the preoperative identification of patients at risk of postoperative major complications in elective lobectomy surgery.

Impact of surgical approach on 90-day mortality after lung resection for nonsmall cell lung cancer in high-risk operable patients

Introduction

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is often associated with compromised lung function. Real-world data on the impact of surgical approach in NSCLC patients with compromised lung function are still lacking. The objective of this study is to assess the potential impact of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) on 90-day post-operative mortality after anatomic lung resection in high-risk operable NSCLC patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective multicentre study including all patients who underwent anatomic lung resection between January 2010 and October 2021 and registered in the Epithor database. High-risk patients were defined as those with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) value below 50%. Co-primary end-points were the impact of risk status on 90-day mortality and the impact of MIS on 90-day mortality in high-risk patients.

Results

Of the 46 909 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 42 214 patients (90%) with both preoperative FEV1 and DLCO above 50% were included in the low-risk group, and 4695 patients (10%) with preoperative FEV1 and/or preoperative DLCO below 50% were included in the high-risk group. The 90-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group (280 (5.96%) versus 1301 (3.18%); p<0.0001). In high-risk patients, MIS was associated with lower 90-day mortality compared to open surgery in univariate analysis (OR=0.04 (0.02-0.05), p<0.001) and in multivariable analysis after propensity score matching (OR=0.46 (0.30-0.69), p<0.001). High-risk patients operated through MIS had a similar 90-day mortality rate compared to low-risk patients in general (3.10% versus 3.18% respectively).

Conclusion

By examining the impact of surgical approaches on 90-day mortality using a nationwide database, we found that either preoperative FEV1 or DLCO below 50% is associated with higher 90-day mortality, which can be reduced by using minimally invasive surgical approaches. High-risk patients operated through MIS have a similar 90-day mortality rate as low-risk patients.

Mortality and failure-to-rescue major complication trends after lung cancer surgery between 2005 and 2020: a nationwide population-based study

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the evolution of quality indicators (30-day mortality and failure-to-rescue) inpatients who underwent lung cancer surgery in France over the past 15 years and to study the potential influencing factors.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using data from the French hospital database (PMSI).

SETTING

Nationwide population-based study.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer in France (2005-2020) were included (N=1 57 566). Characteristics of patients (age, gender, comorbidities), surgery (surgical approach, type of resection, extent of resection) and hospital (type of hospital, hospital volume for pulmonary resections) were retrieved.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

We studied two outcome indicators: 30-day mortality and failure-to-rescue. We used regression-based techniques (including interrupted time-series) to assess the effects of patient and hospital characteristics on 30-day mortality and failure-to-rescue (number of deaths among patients with at least one major postoperative complication within the 30 days after surgery), adjusting for case mix.

RESULTS

The 30-day mortality rate increased from 3.8% in 2005 to 4.9% in 2010 and then decreased to 2.9% in 2020. The failure-to-rescue rate decreased from 12.2% in 2005 to 7.1% in 2020. The pneumonectomy rate decreased significantly over time (18.1% in 2005 to 4.8% in 2020) and had the greatest contribution on the reduction of mortality between two periods (2005-2010/2015-2020). The use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or robot-assisted surgery had a great influence on the reduction of mortality (16% of the observed difference in mortality) between the two periods, as did hospital volume.

CONCLUSIONS

The change in surgical practices, particularly the reduction in pneumonectomies, could be one of the main reasons for reduction in postoperative mortality and failure-to-rescue in France since 2011. Hospital volume is another important factor in reducing postoperative mortality. Our study should encourage the use of technological or organisational innovation, such as changes in surgical practice and cancer surgery authorisations, to improve quality of care.

Diffusion of Minimally Invasive Approach for Lung Cancer Surgery in France: A Nationwide, Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The minimally invasive approach (MIA) has gained popularity thanks to its efficacy and safety. Our work consisted of evaluating the diffusion of the MIA in hospitals and the variability of this approach (within and between regions).

METHODS

All patients who underwent limited resection or lobectomy for lung cancer in France were included from the national hospital administrative database (2013-2020). We described between-hospital differences in the MIA rate over four periods (2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2017-2018, and 2019-2020). The potential influence of the hospital volume, hospital type, and period on the adjusted MIA rate was estimated by a multilevel linear regression.

RESULTS

From 2013 to 2020, 77,965 patients underwent a lobectomy or limited resection for lung cancer. The rate of the MIA increased significantly over the four periods (50% in 2019-2020). Variability decreased over time in 7/12 regions. The variables included in the multilevel model were significantly related to the adjusted rate of the MIA. Variability between regions was considerable since 18% of the variance was due to systematic differences between regions.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirm that the MIA is part of the surgical techniques used on a daily basis for the treatment of lung cancer. However, this technology is mostly used by surgeons in high volume institutions.

Impact of robotic access on outcomes after lung cancer surgery in France: Analysis from the Epithor database

Introduction

We aimed to compare postoperative outcomes after pulmonary resection for lung cancer after open thoracotomy (OT), video-assisted (VATS), and robotic-assisted (RA) thoracic surgery using a propensity score analysis.

Methods

From 2010 to 2020, 38,423 patients underwent resection for lung cancer. In total, 58.05% (n = 22,306) were operated by thoracotomy, 35.35% (n = 13,581) by VATS, and 6.6% (n = 2536) by RA. A propensity score was used to create balanced groups with weighting. End points were in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay, reported by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

VATS decreased in-hospital mortality compared with OT (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.58-0.79; P < .0001) but not compared with RA (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.77-1.52; P = .61). VATS reduced major postoperative complications compared with OT (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76-0.92; P < .0001) but not RA (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.84-1.21; P = .17). VATS reduced prolonged air leaks rate compared with OT (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.84-0.98; P = .015) but not RA (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.88-1.18; P = .77). As compared with OT, VATS and RA decreased the incidence of atelectasis (respectively: OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.50-0.65; P < .0001 and OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.95; P = .016); the incidence of pneumonia (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.67-0.83; P < .0001 and OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.50-0.78; P < .0001); and the number of postoperative arrhythmias (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.61-0.78; P < .0001 and OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.59-0.96; P = .024). Both VATS and RA resulted in shorter hospital stays (-1.91 days [-2.24; -1.58]; P < .0001 and -2.73 days [-3.1; -2.36]; P < .0001, respectively).

Conclusions

RA appeared to decrease postoperative pulmonary complications as well as VATS compared with OT. VATS decreased postoperative mortality as compared with RA and OT.

Is the Evaluation of Robot-Assisted Surgery Based on Sufficient Scientific Evidence?

Robot-assisted surgery is becoming an increasingly common approach for lung cancer resection [...].

Benignant and malignant epidemiology among surgical resections for suspicious solitary lung cancer without preoperative tissue diagnosis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of patients undergoing diagnostic and/or curative surgical pulmonary resections for lung opacities suspected of being localized primary lung cancers without preoperative tissue confirmation.

METHODS

We performed a single-centre retrospective study of a prospectively implemented institutional database of all patients who underwent pulmonary resection between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients were selected when surgery complied with the Fleischner society guidelines. We performed a multivariable logistic regression to determine the preoperative variables associated with malignancy.

RESULTS

Among 1392 patients, 213 (15.3%) had a final diagnosis of benignancy. We quantified futile parenchymal resections in 29 (2.1%) patients defined by an anatomical resection of >2 lung segments for benign lesions that did not modified the clinical management. Compared with patients with malignancies, patients with benignancies were younger (57.5 vs 63.9 years, P < 0.001), had lower preoperative risk profile (thoracoscore 0.4 vs 2.1, P < 0.001), had a higher proportion of wedge resection (50.7% vs 12.2%, P < 0.01) and experienced a lower burden of postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo IV or V, 0.4% vs 5.6%, P < 0.001). Preoperative independent variables associated with malignancy were (adjusted odd ratio [95% confident interval]) age 1.02 [1.00; 1.04], smoking (year-pack) 1.005 (1.00; 1.01), history of cardiovascular disease 2.06 [1.30; 3.30], history of controlled cancer 2.74 [1.30; 6.88] and clinical N involvement 4.20 [1.11; 37.44].

CONCLUSIONS

Futile parenchymal lung resection for suspicious opacities without preoperative tissue diagnosis is rare (2.1%) while surgery for benign lesions represented 15.3% and has a satisfactory safety profile with very low postoperative morbi-mortality.

The 6-minute stepper test and the sit-to-stand test predict complications after major pulmonary resection via minimally invasive surgery: a prospective inception cohort study

QUESTIONS

How well do the 6-minute stepper test (6MST) and sit-to-stand test (STST) predict complications after minimally invasive lung cancer resection? Do the 6MST and STST provide supplementary information on the risk of postoperative complications in addition to the prognostic variables that are currently used, such as age and the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score?

DESIGN

Prospective inception cohort study with follow-up for 90 days.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive sample of adults undergoing major lung resection with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Patients had a preoperative functional evaluation with the 6MST and STST. The number of steps, heart rate change, saturation and dyspnoea during the 6MST and the number of lifts during the STST were recorded. Complications graded ≥ 2 on the Clavien-Dindo classification were recorded for 90 days after surgery.

RESULTS

Between November 2018 and November 2019, 118 patients with a mean age of 65 years (SD 9) were included and analysed. Their surgeries were via VATS in 88 (75%) and via RATS in 30 (25%). For predicting a postoperative complication graded ≥ 2 on the Clavien-Dindo classification, the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was: 0.82 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.90) for the number of steps during the 6MST, with an optimum cut-off of 140 steps; and 0.85 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.93) for the number of lifts during the STST, with an optimum cut-off of 20 lifts.

CONCLUSION

The 6MST and STST predicted morbidity and mortality after lung cancer resection via minimally invasive surgery. The preoperative use of these exercise tests in clinical practice may be useful for risk stratification.

REGISTRATION

NCT03824977.

Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic on Lung Cancer Surgery in France: A Nationwide Study

Simple Summary

Few studies have investigated the link between SARS-CoV-2 and health restrictions and its effects on the health of lung cancer (LC) patients. This study aimed to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on activity volume, postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality (IHM) for LC resections in 2020 at the national level in France. Our study shows a decrease in the volume of LC resections, especially during the first lockdown. We also show that only 0.43% of patients hospitalized for LC surgery during 2020 developed a SARS-CoV-2 infection, but this low rate is counterbalanced by a high IHM (21%) in these 51 patients. Our findings suggest that, even if the IHM is high, LC surgery is feasible during a pandemic provided that the general guidance protocols edited by the surgical societies are respected. Therefore, this study provides further arguments to encourage teams to test for COVID-19 prior to surgery and patients to be vaccinated.

Abstract

Few studies have investigated the link between SARS-CoV-2 and health restrictions and its effects on the health of lung cancer (LC) patients. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic on surgical activity volume, postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality (IHM) for LC resections in France. All data for adult patients who underwent pulmonary resection for LC in France in 2020, collected from the national administrative database, were compared to 2018–2019. The effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the risk of IHM and severe complications within 30 days among LC surgery patients was examined using a logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities and type of resection. There was a slight decrease in the volume of LC resections in 2020 (n = 11,634), as compared to 2018 (n = 12,153) and 2019 (n = 12,227), with a noticeable decrease in April 2020 (the peak of the first wave of epidemic in France). We found that SARS-CoV-2 (0.43% of 2020 resections) was associated with IHM and severe complications, with, respectively, a sevenfold (aOR = 7.17 (3.30–15.55)) and almost a fivefold (aOR = 4.76 (2.31–9.80)) increase in risk. Our study suggests that LC surgery is feasible even during a pandemic, provided that general guidance protocols edited by the surgical societies are respected.