Hypertension and chronic kidney disease is highly prevalent in elderly patients with colorectal cancer undergoing primary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and lethal disease. Hypertension is the most commonly reported comorbidity among cancer patients. Data on its incidence and prevalence is very scarce. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a cohort of 100 consecutive patients with CRC undergoing primary surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The pilot study included 100 consecutive patients with CRC undergoing primary surgery with curative intent within 1 year in the Department of Oncological Surgery in Bialystok, Poland. No neoadjuvant therapy was administered before the surgery. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 62% among the patients studied. Sixty-five percent of the patients were older than 65 years and hypertension was present in 78% of these elderly patients. The prevalence of CKD was 15%, while that of diabetes was 23%. All CKD patients were older than 65 years of age. The hypertensive patients were more likely to be older and anemic with higher serum fibrinogen, which reflects a general inflammatory state. Elderly hypertensive patients had significantly higher creatinine levels, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels (p < 0.001) and lower platelet counts. CONCLUSIONS: It is of the utmost importance for oncology patients to have any hypertension diagnosed and treated appropriately in order to prevent complications so they may continue their therapy with the least interruption or discontinuation of treatment and to ensure the best possible outcomes.