Resource use in the last year of life of prostate cancer patients-A register-based analysis.

backgroundGiven the paucity of data on the end of life (EOL) of prostate-cancer (PC) patients, we investigated medication prescription patterns and hospitalizations during their final year of life.

methodsThe data base of the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse Vienna (ÖGK-W) was used to identify all men who died with the diagnosis PC between 1.1.2015 and 31.12.2021 and who were under androgen deprivation and/or new hormonal therapies. Patient age, prescription patterns and hospitalizations during the last year of life were recorded, odds ratios for age groups were analyzed.

resultsA total of 1.109 patients were included. ADT was given in 86.7% (n = 962) and NHT in 62.8% (n = 696). Overall, prescription of analgesics increased from 41% (n = 455) during the first to 65.1% (n = 722) in the last quarter of the final year of life. Prescription of NSAIDs was almost consistent (18-20%) whereas the number of patients receiving other non-opioids (paracetamol, metamizole) more than doubled (18 to 39%). Older men had lower prescription rates for NSAID (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.35-0.64), non-opioids (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.32-0.57), opioids (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.34-0.6) and adjuvant analgesics (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28-0.65). Approximately 2/3 of patients (n = 733) died in the hospital with a median of four hospitalizations in the final year of life. The overall cumulative length of admission was less than 50d in 61.9%, 51-100d in 30.6% and >100d in 7.6%. Younger patients (<70 yrs) were more likely to die in the hospital (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15-2.39), had a higher median rate of hospitalizations (n = 6) and longer cumulative duration of admissions.

conclusionsResource use increased during the last year life of PC patients with highest rates in younger men. Hospitalization rates were high and 2/3 died in the hospital, both showed clear age dependency with higher rates, duration and death in the hospital for younger men.