Statin Use and Long-Term Mortality after Rectal Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

The current study aimed to assess the association between regular statin therapy and postoperative long-term all-cause and cancer-specific mortality following curative surgery for rectal cancer. The hypothesis was that statin exposure would be associated with better survival.

METHODS

Patients with stage I-III rectal cancer undergoing surgical resection with curative intent were extracted from the nationwide, prospectively collected, Swedish Colorectal Cancer Register (SCRCR) for the period from January 2007 and October 2016. Patients were defined as having ongoing statin therapy if they had filled a statin prescription within 12 months before and after surgery. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to investigate the association between statin use and postoperative five-year all-cause and cancer-specific mortality.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 10,743 patients who underwent a surgical resection with curative intent for rectal cancer. Twenty-six percent (n = 2797) were classified as having ongoing statin therapy. Statin users had a considerably decreased risk of all-cause (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60-0.73, p < 0.001) and cancer-specific (adjusted HR 0.60, 95% CI: 0.47-0.75, p < 0.001) mortality up to five years following surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Statin use was associated with a lower risk of both all-cause and rectal cancer-specific mortality following curative surgical resections for rectal cancer. The findings should be confirmed in future prospective clinical trials.

Statin therapy and postoperative short-term mortality after rectal cancer surgery

AIM

This study aimed to assess the correlation between regular statin therapy and postoperative mortality following surgical resection for rectal cancer.

METHOD

This retrospective cohort study included all adult patients undergoing abdominal rectal cancer surgery in Sweden between January 2007 and September 2016. Data were gathered from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry, a large population-based prospectively collected registry. Statin users were defined as patients with one or more collected prescriptions of a statin within 12 months before the date of surgery. The statin-positive and statin-negative cohorts were matched by propensity scores based on baseline demographics.

RESULTS

A total of 11 966 patients underwent surgical resection for rectal cancer, of whom 3019 (25%) were identified as statin users. After applying propensity score matching (1:1), 3017 pairs were available for comparison. In the matched groups, statin users demonstrated reduced 90-day all-cause mortality (0.7% vs. 5.5%, p < 0.001) and also showed significantly reduced cause-specific mortality due to cardiovascular and respiratory events, as well as sepsis and multiorgan failure. The significant postoperative survival benefit of statin users was seen despite a higher rate of cardiovascular comorbidity.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative statin therapy displays a strong association with reduced postoperative mortality following surgical resection for rectal cancer. The results from the current study warrant further investigation to determine whether a causal relationship exists.

Hospital academic status is associated with failure-to-rescue after colorectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

Failure-to-rescue is a quality indicator measuring the response to postoperative complications. The current study aims to compare failure-to-rescue in patients suffering severe complications after surgery for colorectal cancer between hospitals based on their university status.

METHODS

Patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery from January 2015 to January 2020 in Sweden were included through the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry in the current study. Severe postoperative complications were defined as Clavien-Dindo ≥3. Failure-to-rescue incidence rate ratios were calculated comparing university versus nonuniversity hospitals.

RESULTS

A total of 23,351 patients were included in this study, of whom 2,964 suffered severe postoperative complication(s). University hospitals had lower failure-to-rescue rates with an incidence rate ratios of 0.62 (0.46-0.84, P = .002) compared with nonuniversity hospitals. There were significantly lower failure-to-rescue rates in almost all types of severe postoperative complications at university than nonuniversity hospitals.

CONCLUSION

University hospitals have a lower risk for failure-to-rescue compared with nonuniversity hospitals. The exact mechanisms behind this finding are unknown and warrant further investigation to identify possible improvements that can be applied to all hospitals.

Pre-operative beta-blocker therapy does not affect short-term mortality after esophageal resection for cancer

BACKGROUND

It has been postulated that the hyperadrenergic state caused by surgical trauma is associated with worse outcomes and that β-blockade may improve overall outcome by downregulation of adrenergic activity. Esophageal resection is a surgical procedure with substantial risk for postoperative mortality. There is insufficient data to extrapolate the existing association between preoperative β-blockade and postoperative mortality to esophageal cancer surgery. This study assessed whether preoperative β-blocker therapy affects short-term postoperative mortality for patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery.

METHODS

All patients with an esophageal cancer diagnosis that underwent surgical resection with curative intent from 2007 to 2017 were retrospectively identified from the Swedish National Register for Esophagus and Gastric Cancers (NREV). Patients were subdivided into β-blocker exposed and unexposed groups. Propensity score matching was carried out in a 1:1 ratio. The outcome of interest was 90-day postoperative mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 1466 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 35% (n = 513) were on regular preoperative β-blocker therapy. Patients on β-blockers were significantly older, more comorbid and less fit for surgery based on their ASA score. After propensity score matching, 513 matched pairs were available for analysis. No difference in 90-day mortality was detected between β-blocker exposed and unexposed patients (6.0% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.798).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative β-blocker therapy is not associated with better short-term survival in patients subjected to curative esophageal tumor resection.

The association between the Revised Cardiac Risk Index and short-term mortality after hip fracture surgery

PURPOSE

The post-operative mortality after hip fracture surgery is high and has remained largely unchanged during the last decades. The Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) is a tool used to evaluate the 30-day risk of, among other outcomes, post-operative mortality. The aim of this study is to determine the association between the RCRI score and post-operative mortality in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

METHODS

Data was obtained from the national hip fracture register which was cross-referenced with patients' electronic hospital records. All adults who underwent primary emergency hip fracture surgery in Orebro County, Sweden, between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017, were included. Patients were divided into two cohorts: low RCRI (score = 0-1) and high RCRI (score ≥ 2). A Poisson regression model was employed to investigate the association between a high RCRI score and 30- and 90-day post-operative mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 2443 patients, of whom 446 (18%) had a high RCRI score, were included in the current study. When adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities and type of surgery, the incidence of 30-day mortality increased by 46% in the high RCRI cohort (adj. IRR 1.46, 95% CI, 1.10-1.94, p = 0.010). Similar results were observed for 90-day mortality (adj. IRR 1.50, 95% CI, 1.21-1.84, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The RCRI is applicable to patients that undergo surgery for traumatic hip fractures. A high RCRI score is associated with an increased incidence of both 30- and 90-day post-operative mortality. Future studies to evaluate these findings are needed.

β-adrenergic blockade is associated with a reduced risk of 90-day mortality after surgery for hip fractures

Background

There is a significant postoperative mortality risk in patients subjected to surgery for hip fractures. Adrenergic hyperactivity induced by trauma and subsequent surgery is thought to be an important contributor. By downregulating the effect of circulating catecholamines the increased risk of postoperative mortality may be reduced. The aim of the current study is to assess the association between regular β-blocker therapy and postoperative mortality.

Methods

This cohort study used the prospectively collected Swedish National Quality Registry for hip fractures to identify all patients over 40 years of age subjected to surgery for hip fractures between 2013 and 2017 in Örebro County, Sweden. Patients with ongoing β-blocker therapy at the time of surgery were allocated to the β-blocker-positive cohort. The primary outcome of interest was 90-day postoperative mortality. Risk factors for 90-day mortality were evaluated using Poisson regression analysis.

Results

A total of 2443 patients were included in this cohort of whom 900 (36.8%) had ongoing β-blocker therapy before surgery. The β-blocker positive group was significantly older, less fit for surgery based on their American Society of Anesthesiologists classification and had a higher prevalence of comorbidities. A significant risk reduction in 90-day mortality was detected in patients receiving β-blockers (adjusted incidence rate ratio=0.82, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.98, p=0.03).

Conclusions

β-blocker therapy is associated with a significant reduction in 90-day postoperative mortality after hip fracture surgery. Further investigation into this finding is warranted.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic study, level III; prognostic study, level II.

The Relationship Between Severe Complications, Beta-Blocker Therapy and Long-Term Survival Following Emergency Surgery for Colon Cancer

BACKGROUND

Emergency surgery for colon cancer carries significant morbidity, and studies show more than doubled mortality when comparing elective to emergency surgery. The relationship between postoperative complications and survival has been outlined. Beta-blocker therapy has been linked to improved postoperative outcomes. This study aims to assess the impact of postoperative complications on long-term survival following emergency surgery for colon cancer and to determine whether beta-blockade can reduce complications.

STUDY DESIGN

This cohort study utilized the prospective Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry to identify adults undergoing emergency colon cancer surgery between 2011 and 2016. Prescription data for preoperative beta-blocker therapy were collected from the national drug registry. Cox regression was used to evaluate the effect of beta-blocker exposure and complications on 1-year mortality, and Poisson regression was used to evaluate beta-blocker exposure in patients with major complications.

RESULTS

A total of 3139 patients were included with a mean age of 73.1 [12.4] of which 671 (21.4%) were prescribed beta-blockers prior to surgery. Major complications occurred in 375 (11.9%) patients. Those suffering major complications showed a threefold increase in 1-year mortality (adjusted HR = 3.29; 95% CI 2.75-3.94; p < 0.001). Beta-blocker use was linked to a 60% risk reduction in 1-year mortality (adjusted HR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.26-0.62; p < 0.001) but did not show a statistically significant association with reductions in major complications (adjusted IRR = 0.77; 95% CI 0.59-1.00; p = 0.055).

CONCLUSION

The development of major complications after emergency colon cancer surgery is associated with increased mortality during one year after surgery. Beta-blocker therapy may protect against postoperative complications.

Effect of beta-blocker therapy on early mortality after emergency colonic cancer surgery

Background

Emergency colorectal cancer surgery is associated with significant mortality. Induced adrenergic hyperactivity is thought to be an important contributor. Downregulating the effects of circulating catecholamines may reduce the risk of adverse outcomes. This study assessed whether regular preoperative beta-blockade reduced mortality after emergency colonic cancer surgery.

Methods

This cohort study used the prospectively collected Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry to recruit all adult patients requiring emergency colonic cancer surgery between 2011 and 2016. Patients were subdivided into those receiving regular beta-blocker therapy before surgery and those who were not (control). Demographics and clinical outcomes were compared. Risk factors for 30-day mortality were evaluated using Poisson regression analysis.

Results

A total of 3187 patients were included, of whom 685 (21·5 per cent) used regular beta-blocker therapy before surgery. The overall 30-day mortality rate was significantly reduced in the beta-blocker group compared with controls: 3·1 (95 per cent c.i. 1·9 to 4·7) versus 8·6 (7·6 to 9·8) per cent respectively (P &lt; 0·001). Beta-blocker therapy was the only modifiable protective factor identified in multivariable analysis of 30-day all-cause mortality (incidence rate ratio 0·31, 95 per cent c.i. 0·20 to 0·47; P &lt; 0·001) and was associated with a significant reduction in death of cardiovascular, respiratory, sepsis and multiple organ failure origin.

Conclusion

Preoperative beta-blocker therapy may be associated with a reduction in 30-day mortality following emergency colonic cancer surgery.

Outcomes after resection versus non-resection management of penetrating grade III and IV pancreatic injury: A trauma quality improvement (TQIP) databank analysis

BACKGROUND

High-grade traumatic pancreatic injuries are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Non-resection management is associated with fewer complications in pediatric patients. The present study evaluates outcomes following resection versus non-resection management of severe pancreatic injury caused by penetrating trauma.

METHODS

A retrospective study of the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database was performed from 1/2010 to 12/2014. Patients with AAST Organ Injury Scale pancreatic grade III and IV injuries caused by penetrating trauma were included in the study. Demographics, vital signs on admission, Abbreviated Injury Scale per body region, Injury Severity Score, transfusion and therapeutic modality were obtained. Mortality, length of stay (LOS), pseudocyst, pancreatitis, sepsis, thromboembolism, renal failure, ARDS and unplanned ICU admission or re-operation were stratified according to injury grade and treatment modality. Patients were stratified into those who did/did not undergo pancreatic resection.

RESULTS

A total of 4,098 patients had a pancreatic injury of which 15.9% (n=653) had a grade III and 6.7% (n=274) a grade IV pancreatic injury. There were no differences in patient demographics or overall injury severity between the resected and non-resected cohorts within each pancreatic injury grade. Forty-two percent of grade III and 38.0% of grade IV injuries underwent pancreatic resection. The total LOS was longer in the resection arm irrespective of pancreatic injury severity. There was no significant difference in morbidity between cohorts. Similarly, mortality was not significantly different between the two management approaches for grade III: 15.1% (95% CI 11.0-19.9) vs. 18.4% (95% CI 14.6-22.6), p=0.32 and grade IV: 24.0% (95% CI: 16.2-33.4) vs. 27.1% (95% CI: 20.5-34.4), p=0.68.

CONCLUSION

Resection for treatment of grade III and IV pancreatic injury is not associated with a significant decrease in mortality but is associated with an increase in hospital LOS.

Does early beta-blockade in isolated severe traumatic brain injury reduce the risk of post traumatic depression?

INTRODUCTION

Depressive symptoms occur in approximately half of trauma patients, negatively impacting on functional outcome and quality of life following severe head injury. Pontine noradrenaline has been shown to increase upon trauma and associated β-adrenergic receptor activation appears to consolidate memory formation of traumatic events. Blocking adrenergic activity reduces physiological stress responses during recall of traumatic memories and impairs memory, implying a potential therapeutic role of β-blockers. This study examines the effect of pre-admission β-blockade on post-traumatic depression.

METHODS

All adult trauma patients (≥18 years) with severe, isolated traumatic brain injury (intracranial Abbreviated Injury Scale score (AIS) ≥3 and extracranial AIS <3) were recruited from the trauma registry of an urban university hospital between 2007 and 2011. Exclusion criteria were in-hospital deaths and prescription of antidepressants up to one year prior to admission. Pre- and post-admission β-blocker and antidepressant therapy data was requested from the national drugs registry. Post-traumatic depression was defined as the prescription of antidepressants within one year of trauma. Patients with and without pre-admission β-blockers were matched 1:1 by age, gender, Glasgow Coma Scale, Injury Severity Score and head AIS. Analysis was carried out using McNemar's and Student's t-test for categorical and continuous data, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 545 patients met the study criteria. Of these, 15% (n=80) were prescribed β-blockers. After propensity matching, 80 matched pairs were analyzed. 33% (n=26) of non β-blocked patients developed post-traumatic depression, compared to only 18% (n=14) in the β-blocked group (p=0.04). There were no significant differences in ICU (mean days: 5.8 (SD 10.5) vs. 5.6 (SD 7.2), p=0.85) or hospital length of stay (mean days: 21 (SD 21) vs. 21 (SD 20), p=0.94) between cohorts.

CONCLUSION

β-blockade appears to act prophylactically and significantly reduces the risk of post-traumatic depression in patients suffering from isolated severe traumatic brain injuries. Further prospective randomized studies are warranted to validate this finding.