Hospitalization cost and length of stay in pancreatic cancer population: A national inpatient database study.

Abstract

e15793 Background: Pancreatic cancer accounts for 7% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. It contributes to burgeoning health care cost and is associated with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to describe the disease burden, pattern of resource utilization, hospital cost and outcomes among hospitalized pancreatic cancer patients based on the location of disease. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study utilizing the 2014 national inpatient sample database. Adult records with a primary discharge diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were included. Records with no specification on cancer location were excluded. Regression models (logistic and linear) were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR), mean length of stay (LOS) and hospital charges (HC). Covariates included sociodemographic factors, co-morbidities and therapeutic surgical procedures received during hospitalization. Results: A total of 4,799 discharge records met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 74.3% had cancer in the pancreatic head and 25.6% had cancer in the body and tail. Pancreatic head cancers were more common in whites (73%). Patients with cancer in the body and tail more commonly experienced metastasis than patients with pancreatic head cancer (23.8% versus 20.4% p = 0.02). Compared to pancreatic head cancers, patients with body and tail cancers were more likely to have a pancreatectomy during index hospitalization (OR 45, 95% CI 27.8 - 65.2). Alternatively, cancers of the pancreatic head were more likely to have an endoscopic pancreatic procedure during index hospitalization compared to body and tail (OR 7.39, 95% CI 3.9 -13.9). Pancreatic head cancers were associated with a significantly longer mean hospital LOS (8.1 versus 6.4 days, mean difference 1.66, p < 0.001) and higher mean cost of hospitalization (Mean HC $85,263.40 versus $56,156.60 p < 0.001) compared to cancer in the body and tail. Conclusions: Despite lower rate of metastasis and pancreatectomy, patients hospitalized for pancreatic head cancers have longer hospital LOS and higher healthcare cost burden. Our findings may inform physicians, patients, and policymakers and may help channel resources toward specific patient population to reduce healthcare cost and improve outcomes for individuals and healthcare organizations.