Impact of Patient Sex on Adverse Events and Unscheduled Utilization of Medical Services in Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The female sex is reported to have a higher risk of adverse events (AEs) from cytotoxic chemotherapy. Few studies examined the sex differences in AEs and their impact on the use of medical services during adjuvant chemotherapy. This sub-study aimed to compare the incidence of any grade and grade ≥ 3 AEs, healthcare utilization, chemotherapy completion rate, and dose intensity according to sex.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This is a sub-study of a multicenter cohort conducted in Korea that evaluated the impact of healthcare reimbursement on AE evaluation in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy between September 2013 and December 2016 at four hospitals in Korea.

RESULTS:

A total of 1,170 patients with colorectal, gastric, or non-small cell lung cancer were included in the study. Female patients were younger, had fewer comorbidities, and experienced less postoperative weight loss of > 10%. Females had significantly higher rates of any grade AEs including nausea, abdominal pain, stomatitis, vomiting, and neutropenia, and experienced more grade ≥ 3 neutropenia, nausea, and vomiting. The dose intensity of chemotherapy was significantly lower in females, and they also experienced more frequent dose reduction after the first cycle. Moreover, female patients receiving platinum-containing regimens had significantly higher rates of unscheduled outpatient visits.

CONCLUSION:

Our study found that females experienced a higher incidence of multiple any-grade AEs and severe neutropenia, nausea, and vomiting, across various cancer types, leading to more frequent dose reductions. Physicians should be aware of sex differences in AEs for chemotherapy decisions.

• Authors: Songji Choi, Seyoung Seo, Ju Hyun Lee, Koung Jin Suh, Ji-Won Kim, Jin Won Kim, Se Hyun Kim, Yu Jung Kim, Keun-Wook Lee, Jwa Hoon Kim, Tae Won Kim, Yong Sang Hong, Sun Young Kim, Jeong Eun Kim, Sang-We Kim, Dae Ho Lee, Jae Cheol Lee, Chang-Min Choi, Shinkyo Yoon, Su-Jin Koh, Young Joo Min, Yongchel Ahn, Hwa Jung Kim, Jin Ho Baek, Sook Ryun Park, Jee Hyun Kim
• Journal: Cancer research and treatment (Cancer Res Treat) Vol. 56 Issue 2 Pg. 404-413 (Apr 2024) ISSN: 2005-9256 [Electronic] Korea (South)
• PMID: 37933112 (Publication Type: Multicenter Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Humans
• Male
• Female
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (drug therapy, etiology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Lung Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Nausea (drug therapy)
• Vomiting (drug therapy)
• Neutropenia
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (adverse effects)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant (adverse effects)