Association of county-level provider density and social vulnerability with colorectal cancer-related mortality.

BACKGROUND: Health care providers play a crucial role in increasing overall awareness, screening, and treatment of cancer, leading to reduced cancer mortality. We sought to characterize the impact of provider density on colorectal cancer population-level mortality. METHODS: County-level provider data, obtained from the Area Health Resource File between 2016 and 2018, were used to calculate provider density per county. These data were merged with county-level colorectal cancer mortality 2016-2020 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multivariable regression was performed to define the association between provider density and colorectal cancer mortality. RESULTS: Among 2,863 counties included in the analytic cohort, 1,132 (39.5%) and 1,731 (60.5%) counties were categorized as urban and rural, respectively. The colorectal cancer-related crude mortality rate was higher in counties with low provider density versus counties with moderate or high provider density (low = 22.9, moderate = 21.6, high = 19.3 per 100,000 individuals; P < .001). On multivariable analysis, the odds of colorectal cancer mortality were lower in counties with moderate and high provider density versus counties with low provider density (moderate odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.94-0.99; high odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.86-0.91). High provider density remained associated with a lower likelihood of colorectal cancer mortality independent of social vulnerability index (low social vulnerability index and high provider density: odds ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.81-0.89; high social vulnerability index and high provider density: odds ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.89-0.98). CONCLUSION: Regardless of social vulnerability index, high county-level provider density was associated with lower colorectal cancer-related mortality. Efforts to increase access to health care providers may improve health care equity, as well as long-term cancer outcomes.

Association of preoperative cholangitis with outcomes and expenditures among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to characterize the association of preoperative acute cholangitis (PAC) with surgical outcomes and healthcare costs. METHODS: Patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) between 2013 and 2021 were identified using 100% Medicare Standard Analytic Files. PAC was defined as the occurrence of at least 1 episode of acute cholangitis within the year preceding surgery. Multivariable regression analyses were used to compare postoperative outcomes and costs relative to PAC. RESULTS: Among 23,455 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent PD, 2,217 patients (9.5%) had at least 1 episode of PAC. Most patients (n = 14,729 [62.8%]) underwent PD for a malignant indication. On multivariable analyses, PAC was associated with elevated odds of surgical site infection (odds ratio [OR], 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.29), sepsis (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.37), extended length of stay (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.26), and readmission within 90 days (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.26). Patients with a history of PAC before PD had a reduced likelihood of achieving a postoperative textbook outcome (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.75-0.92) along with 87.8% and 18.4% higher associated preoperative and postoperative healthcare costs, respectively (all P < .001). Overall costs increased substantially among patients with more than 1 PAC episode ($59,893 [95% CI, $57,827-$61,959] for no episode vs $77,922 [95% CI, $73,854-$81,990] for 1 episode vs $101,205 [95% CI, $94,871-$107,539] for multiple episodes). CONCLUSION: Approximately 1 in 10 patients undergoing PD experienced an antecedent PAC episode, which was associated with adverse surgical outcomes and greater healthcare expenditures.

Healthcare utilization and expenditures among patients with venous thromboembolism following gastrointestinal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: We sought to assess healthcare utilization and expenditures among patients who developed venous thromboembolism (VTE) after gastrointestinal cancer surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for esophageal, gastric, hepatic, biliary duct, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer between 2013 and 2020 were identified using the MarketScan database. Entropy balancing was performed to obtain a cohort that was well balanced relative to different clinical covariates. Generalized linear models were used to compare 1-year postdischarge costs among patients who did and did not develop a postoperative VTE. RESULTS: Among 20,253 individuals in the analytical cohort (esophagus [n = 518 {2.6%}], stomach [n = 970 {4.8%}], liver [n = 608 {3.0%}], bile duct [n = 294 {1.5%}], pancreas [n = 1511 {7.5%}], colon [n = 12,222 {60.3%}], and rectum [n = 4130 {20.4%}]), 894 (4.4%) developed VTE. Overall, most patients were male (n = 10,656 [52.6%]), aged between 55 and 64 years (n = 10,372 [51.2%]), and were employed full time (n = 11,408 [56.3%]). On multivariable analysis, VTE was associated with higher inpatient (mean difference [MD], $17,547; 95% CI, $15,141-$19,952), outpatient (MD, $8769; 95% CI, $7045-$10,491), and pharmacy (MD, $2811; 95% CI, $2509-$3113) expenditures (all P < .001). Furthermore, patients who developed VTE had higher out-of-pocket costs for inpatient (MD, $159; 95% CI, $66-$253) and pharmacy (MD, $122; 95% CI, $109-$136) services (all P < .001). CONCLUSION: Among privately insured patients aged <65 years, VTE was associated with increased healthcare utilization and expenditures during the first year after discharge.

Long-term Health Outcomes of New Persistent Opioid Use After Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery.

BACKGROUND: New persistent opioid use (NPOU) after surgery has been identified as a common complication. This study sought to assess the long-term health outcomes among patients who experienced NPOU after gastrointestinal (GI) cancer surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for hepato-pancreato-biliary and colorectal cancer between 2007 and 2019 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked database. Mixed-effect multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk of mortality and hospital visits related to falls, respiratory events, or pain symptoms. RESULTS: Among 15,456 patients who underwent GI cancer surgery, 967(6.6%) experienced NPOU. Notably, the patients at risk for the development of NPOU were those with a history of substance abuse (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.84), moderate social vulnerability (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.06-1.50), an advanced disease stage (OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 3.51-5.82), or perioperative opioid use (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 2.59-3.63. After control for competing risk factors, patients who experienced NPOU were more likely to visit a hospital for falls, respiratory events, or pain symptoms (OR, 1.45, 95% CI 1.18-1.78). Moreover, patients who experienced NPOU had a greater risk of death at 1 year (hazard ratio [HR], 2.15; 95% CI, 1.74-2.66). CONCLUSION: Approximately 1 in 15 patients experienced NPOU after GI cancer surgery. NPOU was associated with an increased risk of subsequent hospital visits and higher mortality. Targeted interventions for individuals at higher risk for NPOU after surgery should be used to help mitigate the harmful effects of NPOU.

Medicaid expansion and palliative care for advanced-stage liver cancer.

BACKGROUND: Medicaid expansion (ME) has contributed to transforming the United States healthcare system. However, its effect on palliative care of primary liver cancers remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the association between ME and the receipt of palliative treatment in advanced-stage liver cancer. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with stage IV hepatocellular carcinoma or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were identified from the National Cancer Database and divided into pre-expansion (2010-2013) and postexpansion (2015-2019) cohorts. Logistic regression identified predictors of palliative treatment. Difference-in-difference (DID) analysis assessed changes in palliative care use between patients living in ME states and patients living in non-ME states. RESULTS: Among 12,516 patients, 4582 (36.6%) were diagnosed before expansion, and 7934 (63.6%) were diagnosed after expansion. Overall, rates of palliative treatment increased after ME (18.1% [pre-expansion] vs 22.3% [postexpansion]; P < .001) and are more pronounced among ME states. Before expansion, only cancer type and education attainment were associated with the receipt of palliative treatment. Conversely, after expansion, race, insurance, location, cancer type, and ME status (odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% CI, 1.06-1.44; P = .018) were all associated with palliative care. Interestingly, the odds were higher if treatment involved receipt of pain management (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.23-2.43; P = .006). Adjusted DID analysis confirmed increased rates of palliative treatment among patients living in ME states relative to non-ME states (DID, 4.4%; 95% CI, 1.2-7.7; P = .008); however, racial disparities persist (White, 5.6; 95% CI, 1.4-9.8; P = .009; minority, 2.6; 95% CI, -2.5 to 7.6; P = .333). CONCLUSION: The implementation of ME contributed to increased rates of palliative treatment for patients residing in ME states after expansion. However, racial disparities persist even after ME, resulting in inequitable access to palliative care.

Association of county-level food deserts and food swamps on postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although malnutrition has been linked to worse healthcare outcomes, the broader context of food environments has not been examined relative to surgical outcomes. We sought to define the impact of food environment on postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing resection for colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for CRC between 2014 and 2020 were identified from the Medicare database. Patient-level data were linked to the United States Department of Agriculture data on food environment. Multivariable regression was used to examine the association between food environment and the likelihood of achieving a textbook outcome (TO). TO was defined as the absence of an extended length of stay (≥75th percentile), postoperative complications, readmission, and mortality within 90 days. RESULTS: A total of 260,813 patients from 3017 counties were included in the study. Patients from unhealthy food environments were more likely to be Black, have a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, and reside in areas with higher social vulnerability (all P < .01). Patients residing in unhealthy food environments were less likely to achieve a TO than that of patients residing in the healthiest food environments (food swamp: 48.8% vs 52.4%; food desert: 47.9% vs 53.7%; P < .05). On multivariable analysis, individuals residing in the unhealthy food environments had lower odds of achieving a TO than those of patients living in the healthiest food environments (food swamp: OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.83-0.90; food desert: OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.76-0.82); P < .05). CONCLUSION: The surrounding food environment of patients may serve as a modifiable sociodemographic risk factor that contributes to disparities in postoperative CRC outcomes.

Impact of intraoperative fluid administration and complications in head and neck cancer free flap surgery at a tertiary care hospital of a low and middle-income country.

Perioperative fluid administration plays an essential role in head and neck cancer free flap surgery. The impact of intraoperative fluid administration on postoperative complications in head and neck cancer free flap surgery remains ill-defined. All adult patients who underwent a free flap surgery for head and neck cancer between January 2014 and December 2018 were included in the study. A total of 224 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of patients was 45.0 years, and the majority were male (85.7%). Buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma (83%) was the most common diagnosis, and anterolateral thigh flap (46.4%) was the most routinely performed procedure. Perioperatively, ringer's lactate was used most abundantly (68.3%). A total of 101 complications were reported in the postoperative period, consisting of 67 medical complications and 34 surgical complications. In conclusion, there is no statistically significant association between the quantity of fluid administration and postoperative complications.

Care fragmentation in hepatopancreatic surgery and postoperative outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Practice fragmentation in surgery may be associated with poor quality of care. We sought to define the association between fragmented practice and outcomes in hepatopancreatic surgery relative to surgeon volume and sex. METHODS: Medicare beneficiaries who underwent hepatopancreatic surgery between 2016 and 2021 were identified. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine provider sex-based differences in the rate of fragmented practice relative to the achievement of a textbook outcome and health care expenditures after adjusting for procedure-specific case volume. RESULTS: Among 37,416 patients, almost one-half were female (n = 18,333, 49.0%) with the majority treated by male surgeons (n = 33,697, 90.8%). Female surgeons were more likely to have a greater rate of fragmented practice (females: n = 242, 84.9% vs males: n = 1,487, 78.4%, P = .003; odds ratio 2.66, 95% confidence interval 2.33-3.03, P < .001). Patients treated by high rate of fragmented practice surgeons had increased odds of postoperative complications (odds ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval 1.28-1.54), extended length-of-stay (odds ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.38-1.68), 90-day-mortality (odds ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.28-1.72), and lower odds of achieving a textbook outcome (odds ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.71-0.83). This association persisted independent of surgeon-specific volume (textbook outcome, high vs low rate of fragmented practice: high-volume surgeon, odds ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.31-0.91, P = .021 vs. low-volume surgeon, odds ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.69-0.82, P < .001). Among patients treated by male surgeons, a high rate of fragmented practice was associated with reduced odds of achieving a textbook outcome (male surgeons: odds ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.70-0.82, P < .001; female surgeons: odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.63-1.05, P = .110). Treatment by surgeons with higher fragmented practice was associated with higher expenditures (index expenditure: percentage difference 9.87, 95% confidence interval, 7.42-12.36; P < .05). CONCLUSION: A high rate of fragmented practice adversely affected postoperative outcomes and healthcare expenditures even among high-volume surgeons with the impact varying based on surgeon sex.

The Role of Delirium on Short- and Long-Term Postoperative Outcomes Following Major Gastrointestinal Surgery for Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The growing burden of an aging population has raised concerns about demands on healthcare systems and resources, particularly in the context of surgical and cancer care. Delirium can affect treatment outcomes and patient recovery. We sought to determine the prevalence of postoperative delirium among patients undergoing digestive tract surgery for malignant indications and to analyze the role of delirium on surgical outcomes. METHODS: Medicare claims data were queried to identify patients diagnosed with esophageal, gastric, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers between 2018 and 2021. Postoperative delirium, occurring within 30 days of operation, was identified via International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition codes. Clinical outcomes of interested included "ideal" textbook outcome (TO), characterized as the absence of complications, an extended hospital stay, readmission within 90 days, or mortality within 90 days. Discharge disposition, intensive care unit (ICU) utilization, and expenditures also were examined. RESULTS: Among 115,654 cancer patients (esophageal: n = 1854, 1.6%; gastric: n = 4690, 4.1%; hepatobiliary: n = 6873, 5.9%; pancreatic: n = 8912, 7.7%; colorectal: n = 93,325, 90.7%), 2831 (2.4%) were diagnosed with delirium within 30 days after surgery. On multivariable analysis, patients with delirium were less likely to achieve TO (OR 0.27 [95% CI 0.25-0.30]). In particular, patients who experienced delirium had higher odds of complications (OR 3.00 [2.76-3.25]), prolonged length of stay (OR 3.46 [3.18-3.76]), 90-day readmission (OR 1.96 [1.81-2.12]), and 90-day mortality (OR 2.78 [2.51-3.08]). Furthermore, patients with delirium had higher ICU utilization (OR 2.85 [2.62-3.11]). Upon discharge, patients with delirium had a decreased likelihood of being sent home (OR 0.40 [0.36-0.46]) and instead were more likely to be transferred to a skilled nursing facility (OR 2.17 [1.94-2.44]). Due to increased utilization of hospital resources, patients with delirium incurred in-hospital expenditures that were 55.4% higher (no delirium: $16,284 vs. delirium: $28,742) and 90-day expenditures that were 100.7% higher (no delirium: $2564 vs. delirium: $8226) (both p < 0.001). Notably, 3-year postoperative survival was adversely affected by delirium (no delirium: 55.5% vs. delirium: 37.3%), even after adjusting risk for confounding factors (HR 1.79 [1.70-1.90]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative delirium occurred in one in 50 patients undergoing surgical resection of a digestive tract cancer. Delirium was linked to a reduced likelihood of achieving an optimal postoperative outcome, increased ICU utilization, higher expenditures, and a worse long-term prognosis. Initiatives to prevent delirium are vital to improve postoperative outcomes among cancer surgery patients.

The impact of county-level food access on the mortality and post-transplant survival among patients with steatotic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: The impact of county-level food access on mortality associated with steatotic liver disease, as well as post-liver transplant outcomes among individuals with steatotic liver disease, have not been characterized. METHODS: Data on steatotic liver disease-related mortality and outcomes of liver transplant recipients with steatotic liver disease between 2010 and 2020 were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control Prevention mortality as well as the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients databases. These data were linked to the food desert score, defined as the proportion of the total population in each county characterized as having both low income and limited access to grocery stores. RESULTS: Among 2,710 counties included in the analytic cohort, median steatotic liver disease-related mortality was 27.3 per 100,000 population (interquartile range 24.9-32.1). Of note, patients residing in counties with high steatotic liver disease death rates were more likely to have higher food desert scores (low: 5.0, interquartile range 3.1-7.8 vs moderate: 6.1, interquartile range, 3.8-9.3 vs high: 7.6, interquartile range 4.1-11.7). Among 28,710 patients who did undergo liver transplantation, 5,310 (18.4%) individuals lived in counties with a high food desert score. Liver transplant recipients who resided in counties with the worst food access were more likely to have a higher body mass index (>35 kg/m2: low food desert score, 17.3% vs highest food desert score, 20.1%). After transplantation, there was no difference in 2-year graft survival relative to county-level food access (food desert score: low: 88.4% vs high: 88.6%; P = .77). CONCLUSION: Poor food access was associated with a higher incidence rate of steatotic liver disease-related death, as well as lower utilization of liver transplants. On the other hand, among patients who did receive a liver transplant, there was no difference in 2-year graft survival regardless of food access strata. Policy initiatives should target the expansion of transplantation services to vulnerable communities in which there is a high mortality of steatotic liver disease.

Surgical outcomes and healthcare expenditures among patients with dementia undergoing major surgery.

BACKGROUND: We sought to define surgical outcomes among elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) following major thoracic and gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was used to identify patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, pneumonectomy, pancreatectomy, and colectomy. Individuals were identified from the Medicare Standard Analytic Files and multivariable regression was utilized to assess the association of ADRD with textbook outcome (TO), expenditures, and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Among 1,175,010 Medicare beneficiaries, 19,406 (1.7%) patients had a preoperative diagnosis of ADRD (CABG: n = 1,643, 8.5%; AAA repair: n = 5,926, 30.5%; pneumonectomy: n = 590, 3.0%; pancreatectomy: n = 181, 0.9%; and colectomy: n = 11,066, 57.0%). After propensity score matching, patients with ADRD were less likely to achieve a TO (ADRD: 31.2% vs. no ADRD: 40.1%) or be discharged to home (ADRD: 26.7% vs. no ADRD: 46.2%) versus patients who did not have ADRD (both p < 0.001). Median index surgery expenditures were higher among patients with ADRD (ADRD: $28,815 [IQR $14,333-$39,273] vs. no ADRD: $27,101 [IQR $13,433-$38,578]; p < 0.001) (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, patients with ADRD had higher odds of postoperative complications (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.25-1.40), extended length-of-stay (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.21-1.32), 90-day readmission (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.31-1.43), and 90-day mortality (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.66-1.86) (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative diagnosis of ADRD was an independent risk factor for poor postoperative outcomes, discharge to non-home settings, as well as higher healthcare expenditures. These data should serve to inform discussions and decision-making about surgery among the growing number of older patients with cognitive deficits.

Disparities in clinical trial enrollment among patients with gastrointestinal cancer relative to minority-serving and safety-netting hospitals.

BACKGROUND: For results to be generalizable to all patients with cancer, clinical trials need to include a diverse patient demographic that is representative of the general population. We sought to characterize the effect of receiving care at a minority-serving hospital (MSH) and/or safety-net hospital on clinical trial enrollment among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. METHODS: Adult patients with GI cancer who underwent oncologic surgery and were enrolled in institutional-/National Cancer Institute-funded clinical trials between 2012 and 2019 were identified in the National Cancer Database. Multivariable regression was used to assess the relationship between MSH and safety-net status relative to clinical trial enrollment. RESULTS: Among 1,112,594 patients, 994,598 (89.4%) were treated at a non-MSH, whereas 117,996 (10.6%) were treated at an MSH. Only 1857 patients (0.2%) were enrolled in a clinical trial; most patients received care at a non-MSH (1794 [96.6%]). On multivariable analysis, the odds of enrollment in a clinical trial were markedly lower among patients treated at an MSH vs non-MSH (odds ratio [OR], 0.32; 95% CI, 0.22-0.46). In addition, even after controlling for receipt of care at MSH, Black patients remained at lower odds of enrollment in a clinical trial than White patients (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.45-0.73; both P < .05). CONCLUSION: Overall, clinical trial participation among patients with GI cancer was extremely low. Patients treated at an MSH and high safety-net burden hospitals and Black individuals were much less likely to be enrolled in a clinical trial. Efforts should be made to improve trial enrollment and address disparities in trial representation.

Association of COVID-19 Pandemic with Colorectal Cancer Screening: Impact of Race/Ethnicity and Social Vulnerability.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health care delivery, including cancer screening practices. This study sought to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening relative to social vulnerability. METHODS: Using the Medicare Standard Analytic File, individuals 65 years old or older who were eligible for guideline-concordant CRC screening between 2019 and 2021 were identified. These data were merged with the Center for Disease Control Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) dataset. Changes in county-level monthly screening volumes relative to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020) and easing of restrictions (March 2021) were assessed relative to SVI. RESULTS: Among 10,503,180 individuals continuously enrolled in Medicare with no prior diagnosis of CRC, 1,362,457 (12.97%) underwent CRC screening between 2019 and 2021. With the COVID-19 pandemic, CRC screening decreased markedly across the United States (median monthly screening: pre-pandemic [n = 76,444] vs pandemic era [n = 60,826]; median Δn = 15,618; p < 0.001). The 1-year post-pandemic overall CRC screening utilization generally rebounded to pre-COVID-19 levels (monthly median screening volumes: pandemic era [n = 60,826] vs post-pandemic [n = 74,170]; median Δn = 13,344; p < 0.001). Individuals residing in counties with the highest SVI experienced a larger decline in CRC screening odds than individuals residing in low-SVI counties (reference, low SVI: pre-pandemic high SVI [OR, 0.85] vs pandemic high SVI [OR, 0.81] vs post-pandemic high SVI [OR, 0.85]; all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a decrease in CRC screening volumes. Patients who resided in high social vulnerability areas experienced the greatest pandemic-related decline.

Prognostic value of nodal staging classification and number of examined lymph nodes among patients with ampullary cancer.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic disease in the regional lymph nodes (LNs) is a strong indicator of worse outcomes among patients after curative-intent resection of ampullary cancer (AC). This study aimed to ascertain the threshold number of examined LNs (ELNs) for AC to compare the prognosis accuracy of various nodal classification schemes relative to long-term prognosis. METHODS: Patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for AC (2004-2019) were identified using the National Cancer Database. Locally weighted regression scatter plot smoothing (LOWESS) curves were used to ascertain the optimal cut point for ELNs. The accuracy of the American Joint Committee on Cancer N classification, LN ratio, and log odds transformation (LODDS) ratio to stratify patients relative to survival was examined. RESULTS: Among 8127 patients with AC, 67% were male with a median age of 67 years (IQR, 59-74). Tumors were most frequently classified as T3 (34.9%), followed by T2 (30.6%); T1 (12.9%) and T4 (17.6%) were less common. LN metastasis was identified in 4606 patients (56.7%). Among patients with nodal disease, 37.0% and 19.7% had N1 and N2 disease, respectively. The LOWESS curves identified an inflection cutoff point in the hazard of survival at 20 ELNs. The survival benefit of 20 ELNs was more pronounced among patients without LN metastasis vs patients with N1 disease (median overall survival [OS]: 54.1 months [IQR, 45.9-62.1] in ≥20 ELNs vs 39.0 months [IQR, 35.8-42.2] in <20 ELNs; P < .001) or N2 disease (median OS: 22.5 months [IQR, 18.9-26.2] in ≥20 ELNs vs 25.4 months [IQR, 23.3-27.6] in <20 ELNs; P < .001). When comparing the 4 different N classification schemes, the LODDS classification scheme yielded the highest predictive ability. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of a minimum of 20 LNs was needed to stratify patients with AC relative to the prognosis and to minimize stage migration. The LODDS nodal classification scheme had the highest prognostic accuracy to differentiate survival among patients after PD for AC.

Association Between Historical Redlining and Access to High-Volume Hospitals Among Patients Undergoing Complex Cancer Surgery in California.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the impact of historical redlining on travel patterns and utilization of high-volume hospitals (HVHs) among patients undergoing complex cancer operations. METHODS: The California Department of Health Care Access and Information database was utilized to identify patients who underwent esophagectomy (ES), pneumonectomy (PN), pancreatectomy (PA), or proctectomy (PR) for cancer between 2010 and 2020. Patient ZIP codes were assigned Home Owners' Loan Corporation grades (A: 'Best'; B: 'Still Desirable'; C: 'Definitely Declining'; and D: 'Hazardous/Redlined'). A clustered multivariable regression was used to assess the likelihood of patients undergoing surgery at an HVH, bypassing the nearest HVH, and total real driving time and travel distance. RESULTS: Among 14,944 patients undergoing high-risk cancer surgery (ES: 4.7%, n = 1216; PN: 57.8%, n = 8643; PD: 14.4%, n = 2154; PR: 23.1%, n = 3452), 782 (5.2%) individuals resided in the 'Best', whereas 3393 (22.7%) individuals resided in redlined areas. Median travel distance was 7.8 miles (interquartile range [IQR] 4.1-14.4) and travel time was 16.1 min (IQR 10.7-25.8). Overall, 10,763 (ES: 17.4%; PN: 76.0%; PA: 63.5%; PR: 78.4%) patients underwent surgery at an HVH. On multivariable regression, patients residing in redlined areas were less likely to undergo surgery at an HVH (odds ratio [OR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-0.82) and were more likely to bypass the nearest hospital (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.44-2.46). Notably, Medicaid insurance, minority status, limited English-language proficiency, and educational level mediated the disparities in access to HVH. CONCLUSION: Surgical disparities in access to HVH among patients from historically redlined areas are largely mediated by social determinants such as insurance and minority status.

Association between social determinants of health and delayed postoperative adjuvant therapy among patients undergoing resection of pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) requires a multimodality approach. We sought to define the association between social determinants of health (SDOH) and delayed or nonreceipt of adjuvant chemotherapy (aCT) among patients undergoing PDAC resection. METHODS: Data on patients who underwent PDAC resection between 2014 and 2020 were identified from Medicare Standard Analytic Files and merged with the county-level social vulnerability index (SVI). Mediation analysis defined the association between SVI subthemes and aCT receipt. RESULTS: Among 24 078 patients, 47.7% received timely aCT, 17.7% received delayed aCT, and 34.6% did not receive any aCT. High SVI was associated with delay (odds ratio [OR] 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.34) and nonreceipt of aCT (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.20-1.41) (both p < 0.05). 73.1% of the variation in timely aCT receipt was directly attributable to SVI, whereas 26.9% of the effect was due to indirect mediators including hospital volume (6.4%), length-of-stay (7.9%) and postoperative complications (12.6%). Socioeconomic status (delayed aCT: OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.13-1.38; nonreceipt aCT: OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.15-1.36) and household composition and disability (delayed aCT: OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.17-1.43; nonreceipt aCT: OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09-1.29) were associated with receipt of aCT (both p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the disparities in receipt of aCT after PDAC surgery are driven by underlying SDOH such as SVI.

Association of County-Level Food Deserts and Food Swamps with Hepatopancreatobiliary Cancer Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition has been linked to the development of hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancer. We sought to examine the association between food swamps and food deserts on surgical outcomes of patients with HPB cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for HPB cancer between 2014 and 2020 were identified from the Medicare Standard Analytic Files. Patient-level data were linked to the United States Department of Agriculture data on food swamps and deserts. Multivariable regression was performed to examine the association between the food environment and outcomes. RESULTS: Among 53,426 patients, patients from the worse food environment were more likely to be Black, have a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, and reside in areas with high social vulnerability. Following surgery, the overall incidence of textbook outcome (TO) was 41.6% (n = 22,220). Patients residing in the worse food environments less often achieved a TO versus individuals residing in the healthiest food environments (food swamp: 39.4% vs. 43.9%; food desert: 38.5% vs 42.2%; p < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, individuals residing in the poorest food environments were associated with lower odds of achieving TO compared with individuals living in healthiest food environments (food swamp: OR 0.83, 95%CI 0.75-0.92, food desert: OR 0.86, 95%CI 0.76-0.97; both p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The surrounding food environment of patients may serve as a modifiable socio-demographic risk factor that contributes to disparities in surgical outcomes of HPB cancer.