Specialist palliative care is associated with reduced healthcare utilization in patients with advanced esophageal and gastric cancer: a nationwide register-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Esophageal and gastric cancer patients, with poor prognoses and complex symptom burdens, require comprehensive end-of-life care. This study evaluated the impact of specialist palliative care (SPC) on end-of-life healthcare utilization.

Material and methods

We retrospectively analyzed nationwide healthcare utilization data for all adults who died of esophageal or gastric cancer in Finland in 2019, using National Health and Social Care Registers. Patients were compared based on timing of first SPC contact: early (> 30 days before death) or no/late (≤ 30 days).

Results

The cohort included 732 patients (median age 72 years), with 233 (32%) having SPC contact, including 156 (21%) with early SPC. Most patients (79%) had late/no SPC. The median time fo

SUBMITTER: Kitti P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12141135 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature