Clinical, Demographic Characteristics and Short-Term Prognosis of Cancer Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the demographic findings, clinical features, short-term mortality/ factors affecting mortality in cancer patients admitted to the emergency department. Material and Method: This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study. This study was carried out with 204 patients with a diagnosis of cancer who presented to the emergency department. Clinical and demographic characteristics and short-term mortality status of the patients were analysed. Results: The study was conducted with a total of 204 patients, 111 (54.4%) males and 93 (45.6%) females, with a mean age of 62.63 ± 14.16 years. Six patients presented with hematologic malignancy and 198 patients (97.1%) presented with solid malignancy. The number of patients with ≥3 comorbidities was 28 (13.7%) and the most common presenting complaint was gastrointestinal problems (26%). The most common performance score was 3 in 85 (41.7%) patients, while only 20 patients with a performance score of 4 were identified. Eighty-five (41.7%) of the patients were hospitalized. Mortality was observed in 9 patients (4.4%) in the emergency department, 22 patients (10.8%) within 1 week and 33 patients (16.2%) within 28 days. In cancer patients with a performance score of 4, the mortality rate was 75% at the end of week 1 and 90% at the end of 28 days. Multiple admissions, performance score 4, ≥3 comorbidities and metastasis were found to be significant predictors of 1-week and 28-day survival. Conclusion: Mortality of cancer patients is high, and factors affecting mortality have been identified. These conclusions may provide significant pieces of information regarding the development of algorithms designed to determine the care needs of cancer patients in the Emergency Department.