Table 3. Final parsimonious multivariable models for recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival.

Parameter	HR (95% CI)	P-value
Model for recurrence-free survivala
T-stage, pT3-4 vs pT0-2	1.58 (1.03–2.42)	0.03
N-stage, N+ vs N0	2.15 (2.82–2.53)	<0.0001
Lymphovascular invasion	1.72 (1.04–2.86)	0.03
Positive surgical margin	2.16 (1.42–3.28)	<0.001
Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, per 1-unit increaseb	1.52 (1.17–1.98)	0.002
Model for cancer-specific survivalc
T-stage, pT3-4 vs pT0-2	1.67 (1.07–2.62)	0.02
N-stage, N+ vs N0	2.13 (1.27–3.57)	0.004
Lymphovascular invasion	1.75 (0.94–3.28)	0.08
Positive surgical margin	1.82 (0.88–3.79)	0.11
Haemoglobin (per 1 g/l increase)	0.91 (0.86–0.95)	<0.001
Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, per 1-unit increaseb	1.47 (1.20–1.80)	<0.001
Model for overall survivald
Age, per 1 year increase	1.03 (1.01–1.04)	0.008
Charlson co-morbidity index, per 1-point increase	1.16 (1.03–1.32)	0.01
T-stage, pT3-4 vs pT0-2	1.42 (0.83–2.45)	0.20
N-stage, N+ vs N0	1.55 (1.12–2.14)	0.008
Lymphovascular invasion	1.74 (1.03–2.93)	0.04
Positive surgical margin	1.86 (0.90–3.82)	0.09
Haemoglobin, per 1 g/dl increase	0.90 (0.88–0.93)	<0.001
Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, per 1-unit increaseb	1.56 (1.16–2.10)	0.004

Abbreviations: AIC=Akaike Information Criterion; CI=confidence interval; HR=hazard ratio.

^aLikelihood ratio omnibus test: χ²=84.8, dF=5, P<0.001; AIC=1407.0.

^bVariable was log-transformed, and therefore hazard ratios represent effect per 1 log-unit.

^cLikelihood ratio omnibus test: χ²=68.9, dF=6, P<0.001; AIC=1101.6.

^dLikelihood ratio omnibus test: χ²=111.0, dF=8, P<0.001; AIC=1780.7.