Incidence and predictors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among ambulatory patients with lung cancer

BackgroundThe incidence and economic impact of lung cancer-associated venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in a contemporary ambulatory setting is unknown.Patients and methodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort analysis utilizing the IMS Patient-Centric database of US healthcare claims and recorded VTE events occurring 3–12 months after chemotherapy initiation.ResultsLung cancer (n = 6732) and control (n = 17 284) cohorts had 51% women, with a mean age of 64 years. VTE occurred in 13.9% of the lung cancer cohort (odds ratio [OR], 3.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.55, 3.89), and 1.4% of the control cohort (P < 0.0001). Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥5 (CCI; OR, 2.56; 95% CI 1.02, 6.39; P = 0.045), the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs; OR, 1.63; 95% CI 1.40, 1.89; P < 0.0001), and congestive heart failure (CHF; OR, 1.29; 95% CI 1.01, 1.66; P = 0.045) were associated with VTE. Bleeding occurred in 22.1% of the lung cancer cohort and 7.0% of the control cohort (P < 0.0001). Among lung cancer patients the average total healthcare payment was $84,187 in patients with VTE compared to $56,818 in patients without VTE (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsVTE is common among lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and is associated with increased healthcare utilization.