Socioeconomic status influences the likelihood but not the outcome of liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the socioeconomic profile of patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) in a regional hepatopancreatobiliary unit with that of the local population. A further aim was to determine if degree of deprivation is associated with tumour recurrence after resection. MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients undergoing liver resection for CLM was performed. Geodemographic segmentation was used to divide the population into five categories of socioeconomic status (SES). ResultsDuring a 7‐year period, 303 patients underwent resection for CLM. The proportion of these patients in the two least deprived categories of SES was greater than that of the local population (50.2% versus 40.2%) and the proportion in the two most deprived categories was lower (18.3% versus 30.1%) (P < 0.001). There was no difference in recurrence rate (P = 0.867) or disease‐free survival among categories of SES (P = 0.913). Multivariate analysis demonstrated no association between SES and tumour recurrence (P = 0.700). ConclusionsLiver resection for CLM is performed more commonly among the least socioeconomically deprived population than among the most deprived. However, degree of deprivation was not associated with tumour recurrence after resection.