The complex comorbidities of uninsured cancer patients.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e19054-e19054
Author(s):  
Shreni Shah ◽  
Madeline MacDonald ◽  
Yuanyuan Lu ◽  
Smitha Pabbathi ◽  
Abu-Sayeef Mirza

e19054 Background: Uninsured patients diagnosed with cancer receive fewer screenings, frequently present with later-stage cancer, and are often unable to access standard-of-care treatment when compared to insured patients. We previously performed a study demonstrating that uninsured patients with cancer histories have higher levels of comorbidity. However, there is limited data on long-term studies describing comorbid chronic conditions among uninsured cancer patients. Here we examine socioeconomic factors and comorbid chronic conditions in uninsured patients with a cancer history over a period of three years. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted from 10 free clinics around the Tampa Bay region. Patients with any documented history of cancer who utilized a free clinic between 2016 and 2018 were included. Patients with no documentation of cancer history were excluded. Demographics, chronic disease parameters, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores were extracted and analyzed. Results: Between 2016 – 2018, a total of 17,003 uninsured patients were treated at 10 free clinics. Of these patients, 455 (2.7%) had a documented history of cancer, 9021 (53.1%) had no history of cancer, and 7527 (44.3%) had no documentation of cancer in their charts. Cancer patients were mostly women (305, 67.0%) and the average age was 55.2 years. Patients with cancer had significantly higher CCI scores compared to patients without cancer in 2016 (3.0 [2.0 SD] versus 0.94 [1.2 SD]), 2017 (2.71 [2.38 SD] versus 0.93 [1.26 SD]), and 2018 (3.27 [2.22 SD] versus 1.08 [1.26 SD]), p < 0.001. Patients with a cancer history were also more likely to be current drinkers (16.9% versus 13.0%) or smokers (17.8% versus 11.0%) compared to patients without a history of cancer. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that uninsured cancer patients consistently have higher levels of chronic disease and comorbidity compared to uninsured patients without a cancer diagnosis. This study increases awareness of the disease burden and mortality risk specific to uninsured cancer survivors which could inform free clinics and volunteer providers to better address the needs of this vulnerable population.

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 1447-1447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alok A. Khorana ◽  
Frank Peacock ◽  
Sally G Tamayo ◽  
Zhong Yuan ◽  
Nicholas Sicignano ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Cancer patients are at increased risk of both venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding, but real world bleeding rates with contemporary anticoagulants are not known. Purpose: To describe the incidence of major bleeding (MB) in VTE patients treated with rivaroxaban, and to compare differences in MB incidence and characteristics among patients with active cancer, history of cancer, and no current or past cancer. Methods: We queried over 10 million electronic medical records (EMRs) from the United States Department of Defense healthcare system from November 2, 2012 to September 30, 2015 to identify MB events in VTE patients treated with rivaroxaban. The Cunningham algorithm was used for identifying MB, and VTE was determined by diagnosis codes. Presence of cancer was assessed from 5 years prior to index rivaroxaban exposure through end of study, and categorized by active cancer, history of cancer, and no cancer. Active cancer was defined by one of the following: 1) a metastatic diagnosis code within 6 months prior to or overlapping with rivaroxaban exposure, 2) chemotherapy and/or radiation codes within 6 months prior to rivaroxaban exposure, 3) cancer-related surgery overlapping with rivaroxaban exposure, or 4) leukemia and/or indolent lymphoma codes at any point within the entire assessment window. History of cancer was defined as the presence of any cancer diagnosis within the 5-year baseline period not meeting the definition of active cancer. Patients with active cancer or history of cancer were further categorized by cancer site/type. Incidence, outcomes, demographics, and bleeding risk scores were evaluated by cancer status. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the association between cancer status and rate of MB adjusting for baseline characteristics. Results: The study population comprised 9,638 VTE patients on rivaroxaban, including 1,728 (17.9%) with active cancer, 1,548 (16.1%) with history of cancer and 6,362 (66.0%) with no cancer. Of these, 130 (1.3%) experienced MB. After stratifying by cancer status, MB occurred at a rate of 2.61 (95% CI 1.80-3.78) per 100 person-years in those with active cancer, 3.18 (95% CI 2.17-4.67) per 100 person-years in those with history of cancer, and 2.25 (95% CI 1.80-2.81) per 100 person-years in those with no cancer. No significant difference in the incidence of MB was found between those with cancer (active or history) and those without cancer (HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.70-1.47, p-value 0.94) after adjusting for age, sex, and baseline comorbidities. Neither history of cancer nor active cancer when independently compared to no cancer was significantly associated with MB after multivariate adjustment. MB rates varied notably by cancer site. Additional key findings are presented in Table 1. Conclusion: In this large United States Department of Defense cohort study of rivaroxaban users treated for VTE, incidence of MB is relatively low and not significantly different between cancer and non-cancer patients. Fatal outcomes associated with bleeding hospitalization were also uncommon across all the cancer groups. These data should provide assurance to oncology providers regarding the safety of rivaroxaban use in the real-world setting. Disclosures Khorana: Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Leo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Halozyme: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Peacock:Phillips: Consultancy; Comprehensive Research Associates LLC: Equity Ownership; Pfizer: Research Funding; Banyan: Research Funding; Cardiorentis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Portola: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbott: Research Funding; Emergencies in Medicine LLC: Equity Ownership; Ischemia Care: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Alere: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; The Medicine's Company: Consultancy, Research Funding; ZS Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Prevencio: Consultancy. Yuan:Janssen Research and Development: Employment; Johnson & Johnson: Other: Mr. Yuan owns stocks in Johnson & Johnson.. Sicignano:Janssen Research and Development: Other: NMS is an employee of Health ResearchTx LLC, which has a business relationship with Janssen.. Hopf:Janssen Research and Development: Other: KPH is an independent contractor for Health ResearchTx LLC, which has a business relationship with Janssen . Patel:National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Johnson & Johnson: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Heart Flow Technologies: Research Funding; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Research Funding.


Vascular ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-69
Author(s):  
Anand S Brahmandam ◽  
Kirstyn Brownson ◽  
Laura Skrip ◽  
Terri Parker ◽  
Jeffrey Indes ◽  
...  

The treatment of isolated calf vein thrombosis remains widely debated. This study highlights the characteristics of isolated calf vein thrombosis in cancer patients and compares to isolated calf vein thrombosis in patients without history of cancer. Between July 2013 and April 2014, a retrospective chart review of consecutive patients with isolated calf vein thrombosis was performed recording patient risk factors, ultrasound characteristics of the thrombus, treatment modalities, long-term recurrence of venous-thromboembolism, incidence of bleeding, and mortality. Of 131 patients with isolated calf vein thrombosis, 53 (40.1%) had history of cancer. Isolated calf vein thrombosis occurred at an older age in cancer patients (66.7 vs 58.5 years, p = 0.004). The anatomical characteristics of isolated calf vein thrombosis on ultrasound were comparable in both groups. Isolated calf vein thrombosis in cancer patients was less likely to be treated with anticoagulation (60.4% vs 80.8%, p = 0.018). However, a trend towards higher incidence of bleeding after initiation of anticoagulation for isolated calf vein thrombosis in cancer patients (11.3% vs 6.4%, p = 0.351) was noted. Mortality in cancer patients was higher (37.7% vs 9.00%, p < 0.001) but was unrelated to isolated calf vein thrombosis or its treatment. In conclusion, the risks of bleeding seem to exceed the benefits of anticoagulation in approximately 50% of cancer patients with isolated calf vein thrombosis. The management of isolated calf vein thrombosis does not seem to impact the survival of cancer patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212096532
Author(s):  
Madeline R MacDonald ◽  
Sydney Zarriello ◽  
Justin Swanson ◽  
Noura Ayoubi ◽  
Rahul Mhaskar ◽  
...  

Objectives: Free clinics manage a diversity of diseases among the uninsured. We sought to assess the medical management of stroke in a population of uninsured patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to collect chronic disease statistics from 6558 electronic medical records and paper charts at nine free clinics in Tampa, Florida, from January 2016 to December 2017. Demographics and risk factors were compared between stroke patients and non-stroke patients. Medication rates for several comorbidities were also assessed. Results: Two percent (107) of patients had been diagnosed with a stroke. Stroke patients were older (mean (M) = 56.0, standard deviation (SD) = 11.2) than the rest of the sample (M = 43.3, SD = 15.4), p < 0.001 and a majority were men (n = 62, 58%). Of the stroke patients with hypertension (n = 79), 81% (n = 64) were receiving anti-hypertensive medications. Of the stroke patients with diabetes (n = 43), 72% (n = 31) were receiving diabetes medications. Among all stroke patients, 44% were receiving aspirin therapy (n = 47). Similarly, 39% of all stroke patients (n = 42) were taking statins. Conclusions: Uninsured patients with a history of stroke may not be receiving adequate secondary prevention highlighting the risk and vulnerability of uninsured patients. This finding identifies an area for improvement in secondary stroke prevention in free clinics.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaiquan Zhu ◽  
Renyu Lin ◽  
Ziheng Zhang ◽  
Huanqi Chen ◽  
Xingwang Rao

Abstract Background Patients with a prior history of cancer are commonly excluded from clinical trial. Increasing number of studies implied that a prior cancer did not adversely affect the clinical outcome among various types of cancer patients. However, the impact of prior cancer on survival of larynx cancer patients remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of prior cancer and assess its impact on survival of patients diagnosed with larynx cancer. Methods Patients with larynx cancer as the first or second primary malignancy diagnosed from 2004 to 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to balance baseline characteristics. Kaplan-Meier method, multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, and multivariate competing risk model were performed for survival analysis. Results A total of 24,812 eligible patients with larynx cancer were included in the study, wherein a total of 2436 patients (9.8%) had a prior history of cancer. Prostate (36%), lung and bronchus (10%), urinary bladder (7%), and breast (6%) were the most common types of prior cancer. A prior cancer history served as a risk factor for overall survival (AHR =1.30; 95% CI [1.21–1.41]; P < 0.001) but a protective factor for cancer-specific mortality (AHR = 0.83; 95% CI [0.72–0.94]; P = 0.004) in comparison with those without prior cancer. The subgroup analysis showed that a prior history of cancer adversely affected overall survival of patients with larynx cancer in most subgroups stratified by timing and types of prior cancer, as well as by different clinicopathologic features. Conclusion Our study indicated an adverse survival impact of a prior history of cancer on patients with larynx cancer. Except for a few particular prior cancer, clinical trials should be considered prudently for laryngeal cancer patients with prior cancers.


Author(s):  
Noriaki Tabata ◽  
Marcel Weber ◽  
Atsushi Sugiura ◽  
Can Öztürk ◽  
Kenichi Tsujita ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Little is known about the prevalence of a history of cancer and its impact on clinical outcome in mitral regurgitation (MR) patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of cancer, baseline inflammatory parameters, and clinical outcome in MR patients undergoing TMVR. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing a MitraClip procedure were enrolled, and the patients were stratified into two groups: cancer and non-cancer. Baseline complete blood counts (CBC) with differential hemograms were collected prior to the procedure to calculate the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). All-cause death within a one-year was examined. Results In total, 82 out of 446 patients (18.4%) had a history of cancer. Cancer patients had a significantly higher baseline PLR [181.4 (121.1–263.9) vs. 155.4 (109.4–210.4); P = 0.012] and NLR [5.4 (3.5–8.3) vs. 4.0 (2.9–6.1); P = 0.002] than non-cancer patients. A Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that cancer patients had a significantly worse prognosis than non-cancer (estimated 1-year mortality, 20.2 vs. 9.2%; log-rank P = 0.009), and multivariable analyses of three models showed that cancer history was an independent factor for 1-year mortality. Patients who died during follow-up had a significantly higher baseline PLR [214.2 (124.2–296.7) vs. 156.3 (110.2–212.1); P = 0.007] and NLR [6.4 (4.2–12.5) vs. 4.0 (2.9–6.2); P < 0.001] than survivors. Conclusions In MitraClip patients, a history of cancer was associated with higher inflammatory parameters and worse prognosis compared to non-cancer patients. Graphical Abstract Central Illustration. Clinical outcomes and baseline PLR and NLR values accord-ing to one-year mortality. (Left) Patients who died within the follow-up period had a significantly higher baseline PLR (214.2 [124.2–296.7] vs 156.3 [110.2–212.1]; P = 0.007) and NLR (6.4 [4.2–12.5] vs 4.0 [2.9–6.2]; P < 0.001) than patients who survived. PLR, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio; NLR, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (Right) A Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that cancer patients had a significantly worse prognosis than non-cancer patients (estimated one-year mortality, 20.2 vs 9.2%; log-rank P = 0.009).


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 175883592095680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nalinie Joharatnam-Hogan ◽  
Daniel Hochhauser ◽  
Kai-Keen Shiu ◽  
Hannah Rush ◽  
Valerie Crolley ◽  
...  

Background: This study aims to compare the outcomes of COVID-19-positive disease in patients with a history of cancer to those without. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data and outcomes of COVID-19 positive cancer patients treated consecutively in five North London hospitals (cohort A). Outcomes recorded included time interval between most recent anti-cancer treatment and admission, severe outcome [a composite endpoint of intensive care unit (ITU) admission, ventilation and/or death] and mortality. Outcomes were compared with consecutively admitted COVID-19 positive patients, without a history of cancer (cohort B), treated at the primary centre during the same time period (1 March–30 April 2020). Patients were matched for age, gender and comorbidity. Results: The median age in both cohorts was 74 years, with 67% male, and comprised of 30 patients with cancer, and 90 without (1:3 ratio). For cohort B, 579 patients without a history of cancer and consecutively admitted were screened from the primary London hospital, 105 were COVID-19 positive and 90 were matched and included. Excluding cancer, both cohorts had a median of two comorbidities. The odds ratio (OR) for mortality, comparing patients with cancer to those without, was 1.05 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4–2.5], and severe outcome (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.4–2.0) suggesting no increased risk of death or a severe outcome in patients with cancer. Cancer patients who received systemic treatment within 28 days had an OR for mortality of 4.05 (95% CI 0.68–23.95), p = 0.12. On presentation anaemia, hypokalaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypoproteinaemia were identified predominantly in cohort A. Median duration of admission was 8 days for cancer patients and 7 days for non-cancer. Conclusion: A diagnosis of cancer does not appear to increase the risk of death or a severe outcome in COVID-19 patients with cancer compared with those without cancer. If a second spike of virus strikes, rational decision making is required to ensure optimal cancer care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Tanimura ◽  
H Otake ◽  
H Kawamori ◽  
T Toba ◽  
A Nagasawa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although previous studies have reported that patients with a history of cancer have 2–3 times higher risks for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), morphological culprit plaque characteristics in ACS patients with a cancer history and their relations with clinical outcomes remain unknown. Methods The Kobe University ACS-OCT registry is a multi-center registry of consecutive ACS patients who underwent OCT-guided emergent PCI in Japanese four centers. All patients were categorized into the patients without a history of cancer (non-cancer), those with a history of cancer who diagnosed more than one year before ACS (historical), and those with ongoing cancer treatment or diagnosis within one year before ACS (current). ACS culprit lesions were classified into plaque rupture (PR), plaque erosion (PE), and calcified nodule (CN) according to morphological features by OCT and clinical events were collected after the onset of ACS. Results Among 436 patients, 63 patients (14.4%) had a history of cancer or ongoing treatment of cancer (cancer patients). Cancer patients were significantly older than non-cancer patients (73.4±9.4 vs. 66.9±12.9, p=0.001), and non-ST segment elevation ACS was more frequently observed in cancer patients than in non-cancer patients (57.1% vs. 43.2%, p=0.039). Regarding the ACS culprit lesion, the frequency of PR was significantly lower and the frequencies of PE and CN were significantly higher in the cancer patients than in the non-cancer patients (Figure A1). The cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE: composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and any revascularization, stroke, and heart failure with admission) after the onset of ACS in cancer patients was significantly higher than that in the non-cancer patients (Figure B1). When the cancer patients were categorized into the historical and the current cancer patients, the frequency of PE was higher in the current and the historical cancer patients than the non-cancer patients. Also, the incidence of CN was significantly higher in the historical cancer patients than others (Figure A2). The cumulative incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the current cancer patients, followed by historical and non-cancer patients (Figure B2). Cox regression analyses demonstrated that the non-PR lesion (hazard ratio (HR) 0.65, 0.46–0.94, p=0.021), patients with multivessel disease (HR 2.55, 1.79–3.64, p&lt;0.001), older patients (HR 1.02, 1.00–1.03, p=0.043) were independently associated with MACE after ACS. Moreover, multivariate analysis demonstrated that cancer history (HR 4.64, 2.34–9.21, p&lt;0.001) and non-ST segment elevation ACS (HR 0.66, 2.34–9.21, p=0.038) were independently associated with non-PR lesion. Conclusions The present study revealed the difference in morphological plaque characteristics between cancer and non-cancer patients, which might explain potential underlying mechanisms for worse outcomes in cancer patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_G) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrica Vitale ◽  
Francesco Santoro ◽  
Alessandra Leopizza ◽  
Adriana Mallardi ◽  
Massimo Iacoviello ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Cancer represents one of the major determinants of prognosis in patients with Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS). Aim of this study was therefore to compare clinical features, short- and long-term outcome and inflammatory pattern among TTS patients with history of cancer. Methods and results 412 consecutive patients with TTS were enrolled in a multicentre prospective registry from July 2007 to February 2021. Clinical features, in and out of hospital MACE, laboratory and imaging data were collected. A sub-analysis evaluating serum interleukins levels among 12 patients with cancer vs. a propensity score matched cohort was performed. Prevalence of history of cancer was 12% (N = 51 pts). Patients with history of cancer were older (77 vs. 72 years, P = 0.01), with a higher percentage of male (23.5% vs. 8.8%, P = 0.01). Diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity were more prevalent in patients with cancer (29% vs. 22%, 49% vs. 42%, 25.5% vs. 18.5%, P = 0.01 respectively), while a similar prevalence was found for hypertension and smoke. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at admission and discharge was lower in patients with history of cancer (33% vs. 37%, 44% vs. 50%. P = 0.03 respectively). Patients with cancer showed higher incidence of in hospital events (41% vs. 33%, P = 0.01) mainly driven by cardiogenic shock (21.5% vs. 8.5% P = 0.01), in hospital death (13.7% vs. 4.7%, P = 0.01), left ventricular thrombi (9.8% vs. 3.3%, P = 0.01) and ventricular arrhythmias (13.7% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.01). The long-term mortality was higher in patients with history of cancer (31.3% vs. 11.3%, P = 0.01). A distinct inflammatory pattern was found in cancer patients: at admission there were higher levels of IL 2 and VEGF levels (IL-2 3.3 vs. 0.7 pg/ml, P = 0.05, VEGF 476.3 vs. 249.5 pg/ml, P = 0.03); at discharge IL-4 was lower (1.17 pg/ml vs. 2.49 pg/ml, P = 0.04) while VEGF remained higher in subjects with TTS and cancer (406 vs. 128 pg/ml, P = 0.03). Conclusions Cancer patients with TTS are characterized by different clinical features, epidemiological characteristics, worse prognosis and higher long-term mortality when compared to patients with TTS without history of malignancy. A distinct inflammatory pattern can be found in this subset of TTS patients.


Author(s):  
Wesley T O’Neal ◽  
J’Neka Claxton ◽  
Richard MacLehose ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
Lindsay G Bengtson ◽  
...  

Background: Early cardiology involvement within 90 days of atrial fibrillation (AF) diagnosis is associated with greater likelihood of oral anticoagulant use and a reduced risk of stroke. Due to variation in cardiovascular care for patients with cancer, it is possible that a similar association does not exist for AF patients with cancer. Methods: We examined the association of early cardiology involvement with oral anticoagulation use among non-valvular AF patients with history of cancer (past or active), using data from 388,045 patients (mean age=68±15 years; 59% male) from the MarketScan database (2009-2014). ICD-9 codes in any position were used to identify cancer diagnosis prior to AF diagnosis. Provider specialty and filled anticoagulant prescriptions 3 months prior to and 6 months after AF diagnosis were obtained. Poisson regression models were used to compute the probability of an oral anticoagulant prescription fill and Cox regression was used to estimate the risk of stroke and major bleeding. Results: A total of 64,016 (17%) AF patients had a prior history of cancer. Cardiology involvement was less likely to occur among patients with history of cancer than those without (relative risk=0.92, 95% confidence interval (0.91, 0.93)). Similar differences were observed for cancers of the colon (0.90 (0.88, 0.92)), lung (0.76 (0.74, 0.78)), pancreas (0.74 (0.69, 0.80)), and hematologic system (0.88 (0.87, 0.90)), while no differences were observed for breast or prostate cancers. Patients with cancer were less likely to fill prescriptions for anticoagulants (0.89 (0.88, 0.90)) than those without cancer, and similar results were observed for cancers of the colon, lung, prostate, pancreas, and hematologic system. However, patients with cancer were more likely to fill prescriptions for anticoagulants (1.48 (1.45, 1.52)) if seen by a cardiology provider, regardless of cancer type. A reduced risk of stroke (hazard ratio=0.89 (0.81, 0.99)) was observed among all cancer patients who were seen by a cardiology provider than among those who were not, without an increased risk of bleeding (1.04 (0.95, 1.13)). Conclusion: AF patients with cancer were less likely to see a cardiologist, and less likely to fill an anticoagulant prescription than AF patients without cancer. However, cardiology involvement was associated with increased anticoagulant prescription fills and reduced risk of stroke, suggesting a beneficial role for cardiology providers to improve outcomes in AF patients with history of cancer.


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