Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42448975›Full record

ArticleAnnals of surgical oncology2026

Inpatient Palliative Care and Procedural Intensity in Patients with Hepatopancreatobiliary Cancers at the End of Life.

Ethan S Agritelley, Elishama N Kanu, Julia Button, Kaitlyn Solarz, Ashley A Fletcher, Matthew Bao, Ryne C Ramaker, Samuel Berchuck, Wil L Santivasi, Peter J Allen and 3 more

Abstract read
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Article in Annals of surgical oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Ethan S AgritelleyDepartment of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Elishama N KanuDepartment of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Julia ButtonDepartment of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Kaitlyn SolarzDepartment of Statistical Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
Ashley A FletcherDepartment of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Matthew BaoDepartment of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Ryne C RamakerDepartment of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Samuel BerchuckDepartment of Statistical Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
Wil L SantivasiDepartment of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Peter J AllenDepartment of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Daniel P NussbaumDepartment of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Lisa C PickettDepartment of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Dan G Blazer IiiDepartment of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA. trey.blazer@duke.edu.

Funding

NCI NIH HHS 3P30CA014236-49S2NHLBI NIH HHS 5T32AI141342-05
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) malignancies are associated with high morbidity and frequent invasive procedures near the end of life. Although palliative care improves quality of life and goal-concordant care, its relationship with procedural burden in HPB cancers at the end of life remains poorly understood. We evaluated associations between inpatient palliative care and end-of-life procedural intensity in HPB malignancies.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients with HPB cancers admitted to a tertiary academic health system within 6 months of death between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2024. Electronic health records and tumor registry data were analyzed through June 1, 2025. Patients were categorized by inpatient procedures and palliative care consultations. The primary outcome was the relationship between palliative care involvement and inpatient procedural burden. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated associations between palliative care timing and procedural characteristics.

resultsAmong 2,848 patients, 1,373 (48.2%) underwent an inpatient procedure and 1,160 (40.7%) received palliative care consultation. From 2013 to 2024, palliative care utilization more than doubled, while end-of-life procedural rates remained constant. Palliative care involvement prior to any procedure was associated with lower odds of undergoing nonpalliative-intent procedures relative to palliative-intent procedures (odds ratio [OR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-0.98; P = 0.038).

conclusionsEnd-of-life inpatient procedures were common in HPB malignancies and persisted despite increased palliative care utilization. Early palliative care involvement was associated with a greater proportion of palliative-type procedures, suggesting an association between earlier palliative care integration and procedural decision-making that may better align with patient quality of life and end-of-life priorities.

Indexed as

Biliary Tract NeoplasmsHospitalizationInpatientsLiver NeoplasmsPalliative CarePancreatic NeoplasmsQuality of LifeTerminal CareAdultAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle Aged

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.