Epidemiological characteristics affecting cholangiocarcinoma patients with and without hepatitis B&C: A retrospective analysis.

Abstract

e16471 Background: Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare, aggressive cancer with high mortality rates. These tumors are often diagnosed in the later stages; resection of the cancer at the time of diagnosis is not an option. There has been a noticeable increase in the incidence of the disease over the last decade, however, there is no consensus regarding screening in high-risk patients. Given the association between viral hepatitis and cholangiocarcinoma, implementing preventive strategies and early interventions could play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: We used the 2022 NIS database, the US's largest all-payer inpatient care database. To further characterize their epidemiological characteristics, we performed a retrospective analysis to stratify all cholangiocarcinoma patients admitted with and without Hepatitis B & C. Results: There were 56,510 cholangiocarcinoma patients identified, of which 1583 had either Hepatitis B or C. Even though the cholangiocarcinoma patients with hepatitis B & C accounted for only 3% of the total sample, there was a significant difference in the mean age, length of stay, total charge, and Charlson index when compared to patients without Hepatitis B & C (p-value < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in gender distribution, with a higher proportion of males in the Hepatitis B & C group than females without Hepatitis. The analysis also demonstrated substantial racial disparities among white, black, Asian Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans (p-value < 0.05). Regardless of the patient’s hepatitis status, patients with cholangiocarcinoma face significant financial burdens, with a large proportion of patients with a median income < $55,999 and relying on Medicare and Medicaid. Conclusions: These retrospective analyses highlight the healthcare burden experienced by cholangiocarcinoma patients with Hepatitis B & C with high hospitalization charges, longer lengths of stay, and high mortality rates. This data supports the need for appropriate preventative strategies to reduce the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma. The research shortfall in this area highlights the importance of developing new screening tools to identify cholangiocarcinoma in patients with hepatitis B & C to reduce the healthcare burden on the population of the US. Characteristics of Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma With Hepatitis B & C Without Hepatitis B & C p-value Percentage(%) 3 97 0.00 Mean Age(Years) 64 65 0.02 Mean Length of Stay (Days) 7.5 6.8 <0.00 Mean Total Charge ($) 103,571.0 90,449.6 0.00 Median Income(%)  $1 - 55,999 29 26 0.04  $56,000 - 70,999 25 24 0.40  $71,000 - 93,999 24 25 0.50  $94,000 or more 22 25 0.05 Insurance Types(%)  -Medicare 52 54 0.00  -Medicaid 18 13 0.00  -Private insurance 24 28 0.00  -Self-Pay 3 2 0.57 Mean Charl index 8.4 7.4 0.00 Mean Died(%) 11.56 12.03 0.00 Proportion of gender(%)  -Male-Female 5941 4951 0.00