Ratnani, Akshay

325 Background: Enhanced screening and detection along with novel chemotherapeutic regimens have improved survival among patients with breast cancer. Palliative care plays an important role in both pain management as well as addressing individualized goals of care. Newer treatment options are often implemented in patients with advanced breast cancer and have the potential to cause further treatment related adverse effects. We aim to understand the impact of an inpatient palliative care encounter on outcomes among patients with breast cancer. Methods: We utilized the 2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database in conducting a retrospective cohort study. We identified hospitalized patients who have breast cancer and subsequently had a palliative care encounter using appropriate ICD-10 CM codes. We stratified patients based on whether they had a palliative care encounter during the hospitalization or not. 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. Results: We identified a total of 24770 hospitalized patients with breast cancer, of which 8.70% (2155/24770) had an in-patient palliative care encounter. The overall in-hospital mortality among those with breast cancer was 3.37% (835/24770). Among those who had a palliative care encounter, the overall in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher at 25.75% (555/2155) (p = < 0.001). Utilizing a stepwise survey multivariable logistic regression model that adjusted for patient and hospital level confounders, the inpatient palliative care encounter among hospitalized patients with breast cancer significantly increased the risk for in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 17.01, 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.11-26.04; p = < 0.001), longer hospital LOS (coefficient 2.63, CI 1.56-3.70; p = 0.001), and lower total hospital charges (coefficient -$14893; CI –[$24071 – $5714], p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our analysis revealed that an in-hospital palliative care encounter among patients with breast cancer was associated with a significantly lower cost of healthcare utilization. We also noted a significantly higher in-hospital mortality and longer length of hospitalization among this subgroup utilizing palliative care. Caution should be exercised in interpreting these results as they may reflect uncontrolled and more advanced disease in patients requiring an inpatient palliative care consultation. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the financial impact on healthcare utilization as well as short and long-term outcomes in this patient population.

34 Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Newer treatment options have significantly improved quality of life in these patients, albeit with the potential for more adverse effects. Patients with colorectal cancer tend to have varying degrees of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) due to multiple reasons, including cancer-related cachexia, sarcopenia, and adverse effects of chemotherapy. Therefore, the impact of PEM on outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer 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 PEM using appropriate ICD-10 diagnostic codes. We stratified patients with colorectal cancer based on the presence or absence of PEM. 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 PEM on in-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and total hospitalization charges among patients with colorectal cancer. Results: We identified a total of 77130 hospitalized patients with colorectal cancer, of which 11.06% (8535/77130) had comorbid PEM. The overall in-hospital mortality among patients with colorectal cancer was 2.74% (2115/77130). Among those with concomitant PEM, the mortality rate was significantly higher at 8.03% (686/8535, p < 0.001). Utilizing a stepwise survey multivariable logistic regression model that adjusted for patient and level confounders, PEM was found to be an independent predictor of increased in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 2.94; 95% (confidence interval [CI] 2.26-3.81; p < 0.001), longer LOS (coefficient 5.37 days; CI 4.84-5.90; p < 0.001), higher total hospitalization charge ($53844; CI $45188-$62499; p < 0.001), increased need for mechanical ventilation (adjusted OR 3.87; CI 2.96-5.06; p < 0.001), and increased need for renal replacement therapy (adjusted OR 2.20; CI 1.08-4.50; p = 0.029). Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrated that PEM was widely prevalent in hospitalized patients with colorectal cancer and was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality and longer length of hospitalization. PEM was also associated with a significantly higher cost of healthcare utilization, increased need for mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy. A proactive approach to promote nutritional assessment and early nutritional optimization is indicated. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the impact of nutritional optimization on the financial burden as well as short and long-term outcomes in this patient population.