Research Article: Comparison of patient-reported outcomes and healthcare utilization between metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving systemic therapy with or without concurrent palliative care support: a retrospective cohort study
Abstract:
Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) experience substantial symptom burden, yet evidence on the integration of specialist palliative care (PC) in real-world settings remains limited. We assessed the impact of concurrent PC on patient-reported outcomes and healthcare utilization.
To evaluate the impact of integrating professional palliative care (PC) with standard systemic therapy on patient-reported outcomes, medical resource utilization, and overall survival (OS) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
This retrospective cohort study included 201 mCRC patients receiving systemic therapy (Jan 2023–Jan 2025), of whom 69 received concurrent multidisciplinary PC (combined group) and 132 received standard care alone (non-combined group). We evaluated pain (NRS), clinically documented clinically documented emotional distress (diagnosis or medication use), treatment goal consistency, unplanned hospitalizations, emergency visits, end-of-life chemotherapy, and OS. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee, which waived the requirement for informed consent due to the retrospective design. Statistical analyses used chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Cox regression. Two-sided P<0.05 was significant.
At baseline, the combined group was older (median age higher, P = 0.002), had a greater proportion with ECOG PS?2 (P = 0.008), and had a higher Charlson comorbidity index (P<0.001). Despite these disadvantages, they reported significantly greater pain reduction (P<0.001), lower clinically documented emotional distress rates (P = 0.007), and higher treatment goal consistency (P<0.001). Unplanned readmissions, emergency department visits, and chemotherapy within 30 days of death were all significantly lower (each P ? 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that PC independently reduced the risk of clinically documented emotional distress (adjusted OR 0.42, P = 0.008) and increased goal consistency (OR 7.85, P<0.001). Overall survival did not differ between groups (median 19.1 vs 18.3 months; HR 0.92, P = 0.632).
Integrating professional PC into standard mCRC management significantly enhances symptom relief, treatment goal alignment, and reduces aggressive end-of-life interventions without affecting survival. These findings strongly support the routine incorporation of multidisciplinary PC as a core component of high-quality cancer care, improving patient-centered outcomes and promoting efficient resource utilization. Early PC integration aligns with guideline recommendations and holds promise for cost-effective cancer care delivery.
Introduction:
Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) experience substantial symptom burden, yet evidence on the integration of specialist palliative care (PC) in real-world settings remains limited. We assessed the impact of concurrent PC on patient-reported outcomes and healthcare utilization.
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