Infective Endocarditis and Cancer Risk: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Li-Min Sun1, Jung-Nan Wu, Cheng-Li Lin
1From the Department of Radiation Oncology, Zuoying Branch of Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung (L-MS); General Affairs Office, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung (J-NW); Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung (J-NW, J-DD); Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital (C-LL); College of Medicine (C-LL); Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung (J-AL, C-HK); Department of Surgery, Zuoying Branch of Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung (L-RL); Department of Radiation Oncology (J-AL); and Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan (C-HK).
Patients with endocarditis face a significantly higher risk of developing overall cancer, particularly colorectal and digestive cancers. This increased cancer risk is most pronounced within five years following an endocarditis diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Endocarditis is a serious infection affecting heart valves.
- The potential link between endocarditis and subsequent cancer development remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between endocarditis and the risk of overall and specific cancer types.
- To determine if endocarditis serves as an early indicator for cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Population-based, observational, retrospective cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance data.
- 14,534 endocarditis patients (cases) and 58,136 matched controls (no endocarditis).
- Competing risks regression analysis to assess cancer risk.
Main Results:
- Endocarditis patients had a 119% higher risk of overall cancer (aSHR=2.19).
- Significantly elevated risks for colorectal, digestive tract, head and neck, uterus, female breast, and hematological cancers.
- The association between endocarditis and cancer risk was strongest within 5 years post-diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Endocarditis is associated with a substantially increased risk of overall cancer, especially colorectal and digestive cancers.
- Endocarditis may serve as an early warning sign for certain malignancies.
- Shared risk factors, potentially including infection, may link endocarditis and cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Endocarditis I: Introduction
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Endocarditis III: Medical Management
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