Impact of Breast Cancer on In-Hospital Mortality and Health Care Utilization in Female Heart Failure Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Division

North Florida

Hospital

North Florida Regional Medical Center

Document Type

Manuscript

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Keywords

Breast cancer, cardio-oncology, heart failure, mortality, racial disparities

Disciplines

Cardiovascular Diseases | Internal Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | Neoplasms

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) and breast cancer are major health concerns with overlapping risk factors. This study investigated the impact of breast cancer on in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and health care charges in patients with HF.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the National Inpatient Sample, focusing on female patients diagnosed with both breast cancer and HF. A control group of patients with HF without breast cancer was also analyzed. Main outcomes included in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and health care charges. Statistical analysis involved logistic and linear regression models.

RESULTS: The study included 17,551 unweighted cases of breast cancer, corresponding to 87,755 weighted cases. Breast cancer, particularly metastatic, was associated with increased in-hospital mortality across various types of HF. Patients with breast cancer and HF had longer hospital stays, which was more pronounced in metastatic cases. However, the impact on hospital charges was not consistent across the different HF types. Racial disparities were evident, with Native Americans showing the highest mortality risk in acute HF.

CONCLUSION: Breast cancer significantly increases the in-hospital mortality risk and length of hospital stay in patients with HF. These findings highlight the need for integrated cardiovascular and oncological care, especially in the presence of metastatic breast cancer. The study underscores the importance of tailored management strategies for patients with HF with concurrent breast cancer and points toward the necessity for addressing racial disparities in health care.

Publisher or Conference

Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings

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