Mortality following pancreatectomy for elderly rural veterans with pancreatic cancer

The objective of this study was to examine rural/urban differences in post-operative mortality for elderly dually eligible Veteran patients with pancreatic cancer treated by surgery with or without adjuvant therapy.

In this retrospective observational study, Medicare claims data were used to identify elderly dually eligible Veteran patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent pancreatectomy with or without adjuvant therapy. Hierarchical logistic regression models adjusted for age, rurality of residence, post-operative complication rate, length of stay, blood transfusion during admission, and co-morbidity were examined to assess differences in mortality between rural and urban Veteran patients.

Among 4,686 dually eligible Veteran patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent pancreatectomy between 1997 and 2011, those who lived in a small rural town focused area had significantly higher odds of one-year mortality (Odds Ratio [OR]= 1.50; p<0.01; Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.15-1.95), compared to those who lived in an urban focused area. Surgical or 90-day mortality was not significantly associated with the rurality of the Veterans' residence. Patients who were younger, had fewer comorbidities, and shorter length of stay had lower odds of dying at 90days and one year.

Using a nationally representative database we found that rural and older patients had worse long-term post-operative outcomes than their urban and younger counterparts, while there were no rural/urban differences in early post-operative outcomes. The study adds to evidence pointing to disparities in the quality of care of Veterans based on place of residence.