Abstract
Background
Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are increasingly prevalent and may contribute to more aggressive healthcare utilization near the end-of-life, particularly among patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care (PC).
Baseline characteristics of study population
Outcome comparison of aggressiveness care
Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with advanced cancer who received PC consultation at a tertiary hospital in South Korea between January 2018 and December 2022 and died by June 2023. Clinical data were linked to nationwide health insurance claims from the National Health Insurance Service to ensure comprehensive outcome capture. MDRO status was defined by detection of resistant organisms from any clinical specimen. Outcomes included hospice utilization, location of death, end-of-life aggressive care, and medical costs. Adjusted associations were estimated using logistic and gamma regression models.
Comparison of medical cost
Results
Among 6,151 patients, 523 (8.5%) had MDRO detected. MDRO status was associated with significantly lower use of community-based hospice care, including inpatient hospice (24.1% vs. 37.8%; adjusted odd ratios [aOR] 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45–0.69; P< 0.001) and home hospice (2.7% vs. 7.4%; aOR 0.39, 95% CI, 0.23–0.67; P= 0.001). It was also linked to more frequent deaths in tertiary hospitals (aOR 1.97; 95% CI, 1.62–2.39, P< 0.001), and higher intensive care unit admissions (aOR 2.18; 95% CI, 1.51–3.16, P< 0.001) and renal replacement therapy (aOR 1.63; 95% CI, 1.03–2.60, P=0.010). Medical costs were consistently higher in the MDRO group across all end-of-life trajectory before death.
Conclusion
MDRO status may be associated with greater healthcare intensity and the end-of-life aggressive care among patients with advanced cancer referred PC.
Disclosures
All Authors: No reported disclosures