Key predictors of peritonitis in ovarian cancer hospitalizations: Insights for early intervention.

Abstract

e17603 Background: Malignant ascites is a common complication of advanced ovarian cancer (OC) due to peritoneal metastasis, occurring in over one-third of patients at initial diagnosis and in nearly all patients with recurrent disease. It significantly impacts both quality of life and prognosis, with recurrent episodes increasing the risk of complications, including peritonitis, which affects approximately 10% of patients with malignant ascites. The aim of this study is to examine the predictors of peritonitis development during OC hospitalizations. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the National Inpatient Sample database (2016-2020). Adult hospitalizations with OC were included, and variables were identified using ICD-10 codes. Chi-square test was used to compare groups and identify predictors of peritonitis. STATA MP 17.0 was used for analysis, accounting for the complex design of the dataset. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: 298,084 OC hospitalizations were identified, of which, 7.08% developed peritonitis. Patients with peritonitis were slightly younger than those without (mean age: 62.40 years vs 63.34 years). 70% of OC patients who developed peritonitis were Caucasian, 10% were African American, and 10% were Hispanic (p = 0.09). Geographically, 34% of peritonitis cases were from the South, 25% from the West, 21% from the Midwest, and 19% from the Northeast (p < 0.001). Patients with peritonitis were found to have longer hospital stays (mean length of stay: 8.41 days vs 5.49 days) and higher hospital charges (mean charges: $113,432 vs $64,262.48). Chi-square analysis identified post-laparotomy state, chemotherapy, sepsis, neutropenia and obesity as significant predictors of peritonitis in OC hospitalizations (Table). Conclusions: Peritonitis is a significant complication in OC hospitalizations, associated with worse outcomes and increased resource utilization. Our study identifies key predictors of peritonitis in OC hospitalizations. Targeting these predictors early in the disease course is critical to improving clinical outcomes. Chi-square analysis of the predictors of peritonitis in OC hospitalizations. Predictors Peritonitis Present (%) Peritonitis Absent (%) p-value Post-laparotomy 3.58 1.06 <0.001 Sepsis 15.79 7.51 <0.001 Chemotherapy 3.31 3.23 <0.001 Neutropenia 9.03 3.73 0.02 Obesity 16.59 13.09 <0.001