Associations between health-related quality of life and subsequent need for specialized palliative care and hospital utilization in patients with gastrointestinal cancer—a prospective single-center cohort study

Background: We lack knowledge of which factors are associated with the risk of developing complex palliative care needs. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between patient-reported health-related quality of life and subsequent referral to specialized palliative care (SPC) and hospital utilization. Methods: This was a prospective single-center cohort study. Data on patient-reported outcomes were collected through the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire-Core-15-Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) at the time of diagnosis. Covariates and hospital utilization outcomes were collected from medical records. Adjusted logistic and Poisson regression were applied in the analyses. Participants were newly diagnosed with incurable gastrointestinal cancer and affiliated with a palliative care case management intervention established in a gastroenterology department. Results: Out of 397 patients with incurable gastrointestinal cancer, 170 were included in the study. Patients newly diagnosed with incurable gastrointestinal cancer experienced a substantial burden of symptoms. Pain was significantly associated with subsequent referral to SPC (OR 1.015; 95% CI 1.001–1.029). Patients with lower education levels (OR 0.210; 95% CI 0.056–0.778) and a Charlson Comorbidity Index score of 2 or more (OR 0.173; 95% CI 0.041–0.733) were less likely to be referred to SPC. Pain (IRR 1.011; 95% CI 1.005–1.018), constipation (IRR 1.009; 95% CI 1.004–1.015), and impaired overall quality of life (IRR 0.991; 95% CI 0.983–0.999) were significantly associated with increased risk of hospital admissions. Conclusion: The study indicates a need for interventions in hospital departments to identify and manage the substantial symptom burden experienced by patients, provide palliative care, and ensure timely referral to SPC.