Depression and Health Care Utilization at End of Life Among Older Adults With Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

CONTEXT: Limited data exist regarding how depression diagnosed at different times relative to a cancer diagnosis may affect healthcare utilization at end of life (EOL). OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between depression and health care utilization at EOL among older adults (ages >=67) diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from 2009 to 2011. METHODS: Using the SEER-Medicare database, we fit multivariable logistic regression models to explore the association of depression with duration of hospice stay plus high-intensity care, for example inpatient admissions, in-hospital death, emergency department visits, and chemotherapy at EOL. We used a regression model to evaluate hospice enrollment, accounting for the competing risk of death. RESULTS: Among 13,827 subjects, pre-cancer depression was associated with hospice enrollment (sub-hazard ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-1.28), 90 + hospice days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.29, 95% CI 1.06-1.58), and lower odds of most utilization; we found no association with EOL chemotherapy. Diagnosis-time depression was associated with hospice enrollment (SHR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.29) but not high-intensity utilization. Post-diagnosis depression was associated with lower hospice enrollment (SHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.74-0.85) and higher odds of ICU admission (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.37). CONCLUSION: EOL healthcare utilization varied by timing of depression diagnosis. Those with pre-cancer depression had lower odds of high-intensity healthcare, were more likely to utilize hospice, and have longer hospice stays. Regular depression screening and treatment may help patients optimize decision-making for EOL care. Additionally, hospice providers may need additional resources to attend to mental health needs in this population.

Duke Scholars

Author Gary Herbert Lyman Medicine, Medical Oncology

Author Cara L. McDermott Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Care