Outcomes among hospitalized patients with colorectal cancer and comorbid congestive heart failure: A United States population-based cohort study.

Abstract

e24019 Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in the United States. Advances in chemotherapeutics have improved survival in these patients, although with the potential for more adverse effects. Congestive heart failure continues to be an important comorbidity in patients with colorectal cancer. However, its impact on outcomes in this subgroup needs further exploration. Methods: We utilized the 2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database in conducting this retrospective cohort study. We identified patients with colorectal cancer and congestive heart failure using appropriate ICD-10 diagnostic codes. We stratified patients with colorectal cancer based on the presence or absence of congestive heart failure. A survey multivariable logistic and linear regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the primary and secondary outcomes. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of congestive heart failure on in-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and total hospitalization charge among hospitalized patients with colorectal cancer. Results: We identified a total of 77130 hospitalized patients with colorectal cancer, of which 10.08% (7755/77130) had comorbid congestive heart failure. The overall in-hospital mortality among patients with colorectal cancer was 2.74% (2115/77130). Among those with comorbid congestive heart failure, the mortality rate was significantly higher at 6.5% (504/7755, p < 0.001). Utilizing a stepwise survey multivariable logistic regression model that adjusted for patient and hospital level confounders, congestive heart failure was found to be an independent predictor of increased in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 1.79; 95% (confidence interval [CI], 1.33-2.41; p < 0.001), longer LOS (coefficient 2.42; CI 1.91-2.92; p < 0.001), and higher total hospitalization charge (coefficient $22464; CI $15132- $29795; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrated that congestive heart failure is widely prevalent in patients with colorectal cancer, and significantly worsens outcomes including increased in-hospital mortality, LOS, and cost of healthcare utilization. Early diagnosis and management of heart failure using guideline directed medical therapy along with close follow up may improve outcomes. Further prospective multicentric studies are warranted to better describe these associations.