Assessment of comorbidities in surgical oncology outcomes

[Prognostic value of body composition in oncological visceral surgery]

Screening of nutritional status of cancer patients plays a crucial role in the perioperative management and is mandatory for the certification of oncological centers by the German Cancer Society (DKG). The available screening tools do not differentiate between muscle and adipose tissue. Recent advances in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as the automatic picture archiving communication system (PACS) imaging analysis by high performance reconstruction systems have recently enabled a detailed analysis of adipose tissue and muscle quality. Rapidly growing evidence shows that body composition parameters, especially reduced muscle mass, are associated with adverse outcomes in cancer patients and have been reported to negatively affect overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), toxicity associated with chemotherapy and surgical complications. In this article, we summarize the recent literature and present the clinical influence of body composition in oncological visceral diseases.

The association between preoperative anemia and postoperative mortality among non-cardiac surgical patients in Northwest Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

In a low-income country, the impact of preoperative anemia on postoperative mortality among noncardiac surgery patients is little understood. As a result, we aim to investigate the association between preoperative anemia and postoperative mortality in noncardiac surgery patients in Northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

This is a prospective follow-up study of 3506 noncardiac surgery patients who were included in the final analysis between June 1, 2019, and July 1, 2021. We used a propensity score-match analysis to group anemic and non-anemic patients. The propensity score match analysis took into account age, gender, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, urgency of surgery, and trauma. Patients with and without preoperative anemia were divided into a 1:1 ratio in a propensity score balance. The association between preoperative anemia and postoperative mortality was determined using adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

This study included 3506 noncardiac surgery patients, of which 1532 (43.7%) had preoperative anemia. The propensity score-matching results reveal that one-to-one nearest neighbour propensity score matching without replacement was successful for 1351 pairs of surgical patients. The postoperative 28-day mortality rate for anemic patients was 53 (3.9%), with (OR:1.63; 95% CI: 1.05-2.54).

CONCLUSION

The study found that patients undergoing noncardiac surgery in Northwest Ethiopia had a higher rate of preoperative anemia than those in high-income countries. Preoperative anemia had a significant association with 28-day mortality after surgery.

The Impact of Socioeconomic Status and Comorbidities on Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Recurrence After Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy

BACKGROUND

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common cancers in the United States. Image-guided superficial radiation therapy (IGSRT) is an effective treatment for NMSCs. Patient comorbidities and socioeconomic status (SES) are known contributors to health disparities. However, the impact of comorbidities or SES on the outcomes of IGSRT-treated NMSCs has not yet been studied. This study evaluated freedom from recurrence in IGSRT-treated NMSCs stratified by SES and the number of comorbidities.

METHODS

This large retrospective cohort study evaluated associations between SES (via Area Deprivation Index (ADI)) or comorbidity (via Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)) and 2-, 4-, and 6-year year freedom from recurrence in patients with IGSRT-treated NMSC (n = 19,988 lesions).

RESULTS

Freedom from recurrence in less (ADI ≤ 50) vs. more (ADI > 50) deprived neighborhoods was 99.47% vs. 99.61% at 6 years, respectively (p = 0.2). Freedom from recurrence in patients with a CCI of 0 (low comorbidity burden) vs. a CCI of ≥7 (high comorbidity burden) was 99.67% vs. 99.27% at 6 years, respectively (p = 0.9).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that there are no significant effects of SES or comorbidity burden on freedom from recurrence in patients with IGSRT-treated NMSC. This supports the expansion of IGSRT in deprived neighborhoods to increase access to care, and IGSRT should be a consideration even in patients with a complex comorbidity status.

The effect of comorbidity on 28-day perioperative mortality rate among non-cardiac surgical patients in Northwest Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study using propensity score matching

BACKGROUND

Non-communicable diseases account for nearly three-fourths of global deaths impacting public health and development. Coexisting diseases can complicate the management of surgical diseases, increasing the risk of perioperative mortality. Despite this, few studies have examined the burden of comorbidities among surgical patients and their effect on perioperative outcomes in low-income countries. In this study, we assessed the impact of comorbidity burden on 28-day perioperative mortality using a prospective data set.

METHODS

This was a facility-based prospective cohort study. Adult patients aged ≥ 18 who underwent non-cardiac surgery were included. Patients were followed for 28 days following surgery. Perioperative data were collected using an electronic data collection system from June 01, 2019, to June 30, 2021, at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia. A propensity score-matched analysis was employed to assess the effect of comorbidity on the 28-day perioperative mortality rate.

RESULTS

Of the 3030 patients included in this study, 715 (23.59%) had at least one comorbidity. Based on the prevalence rate, the top four comorbid conditions observed were hypertension (0.050), cancer (0.036), diabetes mellitus (0.021), and human immunodeficiency virus (0.021). The 28-day perioperative mortality rate was shown to be significantly higher among patients with comorbidity, where 45 (6.29%) of the 715 patients with comorbidity died compared to 49 (2.12%) of the 2315 patients with no comorbidity (p-value < 0.0001). After propensity score matching potential confounders, patients who have comorbidity had a 2.52% (average treatment effect on treated (ATT) = 0.0252) higher risk of perioperative death at 28 days after surgery compared with patients who did not have comorbidity.

CONCLUSION

This study found a moderate prevalence of comorbid illnesses among non-cardiac surgical patients, with comorbidity increasing the risk of 28-day perioperative mortality. Preoperative screening and optimization are highly recommended for patients with comorbid illness to decrease perioperative mortality rate.

Low Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Blood Activity Is Associated with Shortened Survival of Renal Cell Cancer Patients and Survivors: Retrospective Analysis of 1830 Patients

Background: Sarcopenia is characterized by a loss of muscle mass and function and is often associated with frailty, a syndrome linked to physical disability and shortened survival in various patient populations, including cancer patients. Low serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values, serving as a biomarker for sarcopenia, were previously associated with frailty and shortened survival in several cancers. In the current study, we aimed to test the association between low ALT and shorter survival in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients and survivors. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of RCC patients and survivors, both in- and outpatients. We defined patients with sarcopenia as those presenting with ALT < 17 IU/L. Results: We identified records of 3012 RCC patients. The cohort included 1830 patients (mean age 65.6 ± 13.3 years, 68% were men) of whom only 179 underwent surgical treatment. Out of the eligible cohort, 811 patients (44.3%) had ALT < 17 IU/L, with a mean ALT value of patients within the low-ALT group of 11.79 IU/L, while the mean value in the higher ALT level group was 24.44 IU/L (p < 0.001). Patients in the low-ALT group were older (67.9 vs. 63.7 years; p < 0.001) and had lower BMIs (26.6 vs. 28; p < 0.001). In addition, patients with low ALT had lower hemoglobin values (12.14 vs. 12.91 g/dL; p < 0.001), higher serum creatinine (1.49 vs. 1.14; p < 0.001) and higher platelet to lymphocyte ratios (178 vs. 156; p < 0.001). In a univariate analysis, low ALT levels were associated with a 72% increase in mortality (95% CI 1.46-2.02, p < 0.001). In a multivariate model controlled for age, gender, hemoglobin, platelets, LDH, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios and platelet to lymphocyte ratios, low ALT levels were still associated with a 27% increase in mortality (HR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.08-1.51; p = 0.005). Conclusion. Low ALT values, associated with sarcopenia and frailty, are also associated with shortened survival in RCC patients, and survivors and could potentially be applied for optimizing individual treatment decisions.

Low Alanine Aminotransferase as a Marker for Sarcopenia and Frailty, Is Associated with Decreased Survival of Bladder Cancer Patients and Survivors-A Retrospective Data Analysis of 3075 Patients

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is characterized by the loss of muscle mass and function and is associated with frailty, a syndrome linked to an increased likelihood of falls, fractures, and physical disability. Both frailty and sarcopenia are recognized as markers for shortened survival in a number of medical conditions and in cancer patient populations. Low alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values, representing low muscle mass (sarcopenia), may be associated with increased frailty and subsequently shortened survival in cancer patients. In the current study, we aimed to assess the potential relationship between low ALT and shorter survival in bladder cancer patients and survivors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of bladder cancer patients and survivors, both in and outpatients. We defined patients with sarcopenia as those presenting with ALT < 17 IU/L.

RESULTS

A total of 5769 bladder cancer patients' records were identified. After the exclusion of patients with no available ALT values or ALT levels above the upper normal limit, the final study cohort included 3075 patients (mean age 73.2 ± 12 years), of whom 80% were men and 1362 (53% had ALT ≤ 17 IU/L. The mean ALT value of patients within the low ALT group was 11.44 IU/L, while the mean value in the higher ALT level group was 24.32 IU/L (p < 0.001). Patients in the lower ALT group were older (74.7 vs. 71.4 years; p < 0.001), had lower BMI (25.8 vs. 27; p < 0.001), and their hemoglobin values were lower (11.7 vs. 12.6 g/dL; p < 0.001). In a univariate analysis, low ALT levels were associated with a 45% increase in mortality (95% CI 1.31-1.60, p < 0.001). In a multivariate model controlling for age, kidney function, and hemoglobin, low ALT levels were still associated with 22% increased mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Low ALT values, indicative of sarcopenia and frailty, are associated with decreased survival of bladder cancer patients and survivors and could potentially be applied for optimizing individual treatment decisions.

Factors associated with follow-up attendance of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study examined the postoperative follow-up attendance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients, evaluated some of the factors associated with it, and assessed its relationship with early detection of postoperative disease progression.

METHODS

An exploratory retrospective cohort study of 430 OSCC patients was conducted. We examined associations of follow-up attendance within the first year after surgery with selected demographic and clinical factors, and with early detection of disease progression.

RESULTS

The mean number of follow-up visits within the first year after surgery was 3.9 out of the 12 recommended at our center; few patients were fully adherent. Age ≥70 years, unmarried status, high education level, and negative history of surgery for premalignant or malignant lesions from oral cavity or other sites were significantly associated with lower follow-up attendance. Greater follow-up attendance was significantly associated with early detection of disease progression during the first year after surgery (p = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to follow-up visits was poor. Several sociodemographic and clinical factors were related to follow-up attendance, greater follow-up attendance was significantly associated with early detection of disease progression, and these should be further explored in future research.

Prognostic Value of Comorbidity for Patients with Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma after Radical Nephroureterectomy

Simple Summary

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare malignancy that occurs mostly in elderly individuals with a high prevalence of comorbidities. However, the prognostic impact of comorbidities in these patients is not well evaluated. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the significance of Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27) grade on the clinical outcomes of 409 patients with non-metastatic UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy. We found that a high ACE-27 grade was an independent risk factor for UTUC progression, UTUC-specific death, and all-cause mortality in multivariate analyses. A prognostic model combining ACE-27 grade, tumor stage, and tumor grade showed good predictive performance and accuracy. Integrating the ACE-27 grade with standard pathological features can help physicians in clinical decision-making and risk stratification.

Abstract

Patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) have a high prevalence of comorbidities. However, the prognostic impact of comorbidities in these patients is not well studied. We aimed to outline the comorbidity burden in UTUC patients and investigate its relationship with overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and progression-free survival (PFS). We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological data of 409 non-metastatic UTUC patients who received radical nephroureterectomy between 2000 and 2015. The comorbidity burden was evaluated using the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high ACE-27 grade was significantly associated with worse PFS, CSS, and OS. In multivariate Cox regression and competing risk analyses, we found that ACE-27 grade, tumor stage, and tumor grade were independent prognosticators of OS, CSS, and PFS. We combined these three significant factors to construct a prognostic model for predicting clinical outcomes. A receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that our prognostic model had high predictive performance. The Harrel’s concordance indices of this model for predicting OS, CSS, and PFS were 0.81, 0.85, and 0.85, respectively. The results suggest that the UTUC patient comorbidity burden (ACE-27) provides information on the risk for meaningful clinical outcomes of OS, CSS, and PFS.

Low free testosterone is associated with increased mortality in frail surgical patients

Background

Preoperative frailty has been associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. Additionally, low testosterone has been associated with physical frailty and cognitive decline. However, the impact of simultaneous frailty and low testosterone on surgical outcomes is understudied.

Methods

Preoperative frailty status and testosterone levels were obtained in patients undergoing a diverse range of surgical procedures. Preoperative frailty was evaluated independently and in combination with testosterone through the creation of composite risk groups. Relationships between preoperative frailty and composite risk groups with overall survival were determined using Kaplan–Meier and logistic regression analyses. Bivariate analysis was used to determine the associations between frailty and testosterone status on postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and readmission rates.

Results

Median age of the cohort was 63 years, and the median follow-up time was 105 weeks. Thirty-one patients (23%) were frail, and 36 (27%) had low free testosterone. Bivariate analysis demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between preoperative frailty and overall survival (P = .044). In multivariate analysis, coexisting frailty and low free testosterone were significantly associated with decreased overall survival (hazard ratio 4.93, 95% confidence interval, 1.68–14.46, P = .004).

Conclusion

We observed preoperative frailty, both independently and in combination with low free testosterone levels, to be significantly associated with decreased overall survival across various surgical procedures. Personalizing the surgical risk assessment through the incorporation of preoperative frailty and testosterone status may serve to improve the prognostication of patients undergoing major surgery.

•

Both frailty (P = .015) and low free testosterone (P = .005) were independently associated with 1-year mortality.

•

After stratifying our cohort into 4 composite groups based on frailty and testosterone status, frail patients with low free T had the shortest overall survival when compared to the reference group, with nearly a 5-fold higher risk of death.

An equity-based narrative review of barriers to timely postoperative radiation therapy for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The majority of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) do not commence postoperative radiation treatment (PORT) within the recommended 6 weeks. We explore how delayed PORT affects survival outcomes, what factors are associated with delayed PORT initiation, and what interventions exist to reduce delays in PORT initiation.

METHODS

We conducted a PubMed search to identify articles discussing timely PORT for HNSCC. We performed a narrative review to assess survival outcomes of delayed PORT as well as social determinants of health (SDOH) and clinical factors associated with delayed PORT, using the PROGRESS-Plus health equity framework to guide our analysis. We reviewed interventions designed to reduce delays in PORT.

RESULTS

Delayed PORT is associated with reduced overall survival. Delays in PORT disproportionately burden patients of racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, Medicaid or no insurance, low socioeconomic status, limited access to care, more comorbidities, presentation at advanced stages, and those who experience postoperative complications. Delays in PORT initiation tend to occur during transitions in head and neck cancer care. Delays in PORT may be reduced by interventions that identify patients who are most likely to experience delayed PORT, support patients according to their specific needs and barriers to care, and streamline care and referral processes.

CONCLUSIONS

Both SDOH and clinical factors are associated with delays in timely PORT. Structural change is needed to reduce health disparities and promote equitable access to care for all. When planning care, providers must consider not only biological factors but also SDOH to maximize care outcomes.

The Utility of Comorbidity Indices in Assessing Head and Neck Surgery Outcomes: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the utility of comorbidity index (CI) scores in predicting outcomes in head and neck surgery (HNS). The CIs evaluated were the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), Kaplan-Feinstein Index (KFI), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS), Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27), National Cancer Institute Comorbidity Index (NCI-CI), and the Washington University Head and Neck Comorbidity Index (WUHNCI).

METHODS

We report a systematic review according to the 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase) and manual search of bibliographies identified manuscripts addressing how CI scores related to HNS outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 116 studies associated CI scores with HNS outcomes. CIs were represented in the literature as follows: ASA-PS (70/116), CCI (39/116), ACE-27 (24/116), KFI (7/116), NCI-CI (3/116), ECI (2/116), and WUHNCI (1/116). The most frequently cited justification for calculating each CI (if provided) was: CCI for its validation in other studies, ACE-27 for its utility in cancer patients, and ECI for its comprehensive design. In general, the CCI and ACE-27 were predictive of mortality in HNS. The ECI was most consistent in predicting >1-year mortality. The ACE-27 and KFI were most consistent in predicting medical complications.

CONCLUSION

Despite inconsistencies in the literature, CIs provide insights into the impact of comorbidities on outcomes in HNS. These scores should be employed as an adjunct in the preoperative assessment of HNS patients. Comparative studies are needed to identify indices that are most reliable in predicting HNS outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 2021.

Outcome of patients with primary glioblastoma in Chile: single centre series

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive primary malignant brain tumour. The standard of care is surgical resection, followed by radiotherapy with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide. In Latin America, there is scarcity of information about the incidence of GBM and even less data regarding outcomes. In this study, we describe the clinicopathologic features, management and outcomes of GBM patients.

Methods

We describe a single-centre multidisciplinary team experience in managing GBM patients over an 11-year period (Jan 2005 to Dec 2016). Pathology was reviewed by the pathology collaborator and retrospective chart review performed for treatment and clinical outcomes.

Results

We identified 74 patients (50 males) with diagnosis of GBM. Median age at diagnosis was 58 years (range 24–79 years), and median Karnofsky performance status was 80%. Forty-three (58.1%) went to gross total resection, 20 (27%) partial resection and 11 (14.9%) biopsy. Sixty-four (87%) patients received Stupp regimen. The median overall survival (OS) was 13.9 months (standard error (SE) 1.71; 95% confidence interval (CI), 10.56–17.23). In patients treated according to Stupp regimen, the progression-free survival (PFS) was 10 months (SE 1.8; 95% CI, 6.481–13.519), the selfcare survival was 11.8 months (SE 1.61; 95% CI, 8.632–14.968) and the OS was 16.1 months (SE 1.53; 95% CI, 13.01–19.099).

Conclusions

This study reports the most complete analysis of epidemiology, clinical management and outcomes of patients with diagnosis of GBM in Chile treated with Stupp regimen. The PFS and OS are consistent with reports of US and Europe.

Random survival forests using linked data to measure illness burden among individuals before or after a cancer diagnosis: Development and internal validation of the SEER-CAHPS illness burden index

PURPOSE

To develop and internally validate an illness burden index among Medicare beneficiaries before or after a cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

Data source: SEER-CAHPS, linking Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry, Medicare enrollment and claims, and Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (Medicare CAHPS) survey data providing self-reported sociodemographic, health, and functional status information. To generate a score for everyone in the dataset, we tabulated 4 groups within each annual subsample (2007-2013): 1) Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries or 2) Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries, surveyed before cancer diagnosis; 3) MA beneficiaries or 4) Medicare FFS beneficiaries surveyed after diagnosis. Random survival forests (RSFs) predicted 12-month all-cause mortality and drew predictor variables (mean per subsample = 44) from 8 domains: sociodemographic, cancer-specific, health status, chronic conditions, healthcare utilization, activity limitations, proxy, and location-based factors. Roughly two-thirds of the sample was held out for algorithm training. Error rates based on the validation ("out-of-bag," OOB) samples reflected the correctly classified percentage. Illness burden scores represented predicted cumulative mortality hazard.

RESULTS

The sample included 116,735 Medicare beneficiaries with cancer, of whom 73 % were surveyed after their cancer diagnosis; overall mean mortality rate in the 12 months after survey response was 6%. SEER-CAHPS Illness Burden Index (SCIBI) scores were positively skewed (median range: 0.29 [MA, pre-diagnosis] to 2.85 [FFS, post-diagnosis]; mean range: 2.08 [MA, pre-diagnosis] to 4.88 [MA, post-diagnosis]). The highest decile of the distribution had a 51 % mortality rate (range: 29-71 %); the bottom decile had a 1% mortality rate (range: 0-2 %). The error rate was 20 % overall (range: 9% [among FFS enrollees surveyed after diagnosis] to 36 % [MA enrollees surveyed before diagnosis]).

CONCLUSIONS

This new morbidity measure for Medicare beneficiaries with cancer may be useful to future SEER-CAHPS users who wish to adjust for comorbidity.

Management of Peritoneal Malignancies

Peritoneal malignancies may result in a widespread disease process, peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), which has significant morbidity and mortality for patients afflicted by this disease. Dissemination into the peritoneum and throughout the abdomen can be due to a primary peritoneal cancer or other primary malignancies that have metastasized, including (but not limited to) colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, appendiceal cancer, ovarian cancer, and mesothelioma. Patients with gastrointestinal (GI) or gynecologic malignancies with peritoneal carcinomatosis may have dismal survival due to a high disease burden within the abdominal cavity. Some studies suggest the average survival for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin is 18–48 months, for high-grade appendiceal adenocarcinoma 12–36 months, and for low-grade appendiceal neoplasms >60 months. As the understanding of peritoneal malignancies and peritoneal carcinomatosis evolved, it may now be acceptable to treat this as locoregional disease.

Obesity as a determinant of perioperative and postoperative outcome in patients following colorectal cancer surgery: A population-based study (2009-2016)

BACKGROUND

Obesity is an increasing problem worldwide that can influence perioperative and postoperative outcomes. However, the relationship between obesity and treatment-related perioperative and short-term postoperative morbidity after colorectal resections is still subject to debate.

STUDY

Patients were selected from the DCRA, a population-based audit including 83 hospitals performing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Data regarding primary resections between 2009 and 2016 were eligible for analyses. Patients were subdivided into six categories: underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity class I, II and III.

RESULTS

Of 71,084 patients, 17.7% with colon and 16.4% with rectal cancer were categorized as obese. Significant differences were found for the 30-day overall postoperative complication rate (p < 0.001), prolonged hospitalization (p < 0.001) and readmission rate (colon cancer p < 0.005; rectal cancer p < 0.002) in obese CRC patients. Multivariate analysis identified BMI ≥30 kg/m² as independent predictor of a complicated postoperative course in CRC patients. Furthermore, obesity-related comorbidities were associated with higher postoperative morbidity, prolonged hospitalization and a higher readmission rate. No significant differences in performance were observed in postoperative outcomes of morbidly obese CRC patients between hospitals performing bariatric surgery and hospitals that did not.

CONCLUSION

The real-life data analysed in this study reflect daily practice in the Netherlands and identify obesity as a significant risk factor in CRC patients. Obesity-related comorbidities were associated with higher postoperative morbidity, prolonged hospitalization and a higher readmission rate in obese CRC patients. No differences were observed between hospitals performing bariatric surgery and hospitals that did not.

Prognostic Importance of Comorbidity and the Association Between Comorbidity and p16 in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

IMPORTANCE

Comorbidity affects the prognosis of patients with cancer through the direct effects of the comorbid illness and by influencing the patients' ability to tolerate treatment and mount a host response. However, the prognostic importance of comorbidity in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is not well characterized in the era of human papillomavirus infection.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prognostic importance of comorbidity in both p16-positive and p16-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and to explore the relationship between comorbidity and p16.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective cohort study of 305 patients at a single tertiary referral center diagnosed as having oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between June 1996 and June 2010, but without a history of head and neck cancer or distant metastasis at time of diagnosis. The data were analyzed from August 1, 2014, through April 30, 2015.

EXPOSURES

Patients were grouped according to p16 status.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Overall survival, defined as the time from diagnosis to death from any cause. Disease-free survival, defined as the time from diagnosis to either death from any cause or the first documented local, regional, or distant recurrence.

RESULTS

Of the 305 patients who met eligibility criteria, 230 were p16-positive, 70 were p16-negative, and 5 were not evaluable for p16 status. The final cohort of 300 patients had a mean (SD) age of 56.3 (9.3) years and 262 (87%) were male. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 5-year overall survival rates were 71% (95% CI, 65%-76%) for 232 patients with no comorbidity to mild comorbidity and 49% (95% CI, 36%-61%) for 63 patients with moderate to severe comorbidity. In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, moderate to severe comorbidity was associated with an increased risk of death from any cause (adjusted hazards ratio [aHR], 1.52 [95% CI, 0.99-2.32]) and increased risk of death or recurrence (aHR, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.13-2.59]). After stratifying by p16 status and controlling for other variables, moderate to severe comorbidity was significantly associated with increased risk of death from any cause among p16-negative patients (aHR, 1.90 [95% CI, 1.03-3.50]) but not among p16-positive patients (aHR, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.61-2.02]).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Comorbidity is important to consider when assessing the prognosis of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and is of greater prognostic value in p16-negative than p16-positive cancer.

Comorbidity trajectories in working age cancer survivors: A national study of Swedish men

BACKGROUND

A large proportion of cancer survivors are of working age, and maintaining health is of interest both for their working and private life. However, patterns and determinants of comorbidity over time among adult cancer survivors are incompletely described. We aimed to identify distinct comorbidity trajectories and their potential determinants.

METHODS

In a cohort study of Swedish men born between 1952 and 1956, men diagnosed with cancer between 2000 and 2003 (n=878) were matched with cancer-free men (n=4340) and followed over five years after their first year of survival. Comorbid diseases were identified using hospital diagnoses and included in the analysis using group-based trajectory modelling. The association of socioeconomic and developmental characteristics were assessed using multinomial logit models.

RESULTS

Four distinct comorbidity trajectories were identified. As many as 84% of cancer survivors remained at very low levels of comorbidity, and the distribution of trajectories was similar among the cancer survivors and the cancer-free men. Increases in comorbidity were seen among those who had comorbid disease at baseline and among those with poor summary disease scores in adolescence. Socioeconomic characteristics and physical, cognitive and psychological function were associated with types of trajectory in unadjusted models but did not retain independent relationships with them after simultaneous adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

Among working-age male cancer survivors, the majority remained free or had very low levels of comorbidity. Those with poorer health in adolescence and pre-existing comorbid diseases at cancer diagnosis may, however, benefit from follow-up to prevent further increases in comorbidity.

Predictors of Complications of Tonsillectomy With or Without Adenoidectomy in Hospitalized Children and Adolescents in the United States, 2001-2010: A Population-Based Study

Outcomes of tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy [w/woA]) in hospitalized children are unclear. We sought, to describe the characteristics of hospitalized children who underwent tonsillectomy (w/woA), to estimate the prevalence of complications and to evaluate the relative impact of different comorbid conditions (CMC) on the risk of occurrence of common complications following these procedures. All patients aged ≤21years who underwent a tonsillectomy (w/woA) were selected from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS 2001-2010). The associations between several patient/hospital-level factors and occurrence of complications were generated using multivariable logistic regression models. Over a decade, a total of 141 599 hospitalized patients underwent tonsillectomy (w116 319; woA 25 280). A total of 58.1% were males. Majority of the procedures were performed in teaching hospitals (TH, 73.7%), in large (bed-size) hospitals (LH, 57.8%), and in those who were electively admitted (EA, 67.3%). Frequently present CMC in patients included obstructive sleep apnea (OSA, 26.4%), chronic pulmonary disease (CPD, 14.6%), neurological disorders (ND, 6.7%), and obesity (4.8%). Majority of patients were discharged routinely (98%). Overall complication rate was 6.4% with common complications being postoperative pneumonia (2.3%), bacterial infections (1.4%), respiratory complications (1.3%), and hemorrhage (1.2%). All-cause mortality included a total of 60 patients. Patients in TH (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.62-0.85), LH (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.69-0.93), and those who had the procedures during EA (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.56-0.74) had significantly lower odds of complications compared with their counterparts. CMC such as anemia, CPD, coagulopathy, HT, ND, and fluid/electrolyte disorders were independent predictors of significantly higher complication risk (P < .05). In conclusion, hospitalized children who underwent tonsillectomy (w/woA) in large or teaching hospitals, or during elective admissions had lower risk of complications. Comorbidity is an important independent predictor of complications in this cohort.