High-Intensity End-of-Life Care Among Young and Middle-Aged Hispanic Adults With Cancer in Puerto Rico

Timely palliative and hospice care, along with advanced care planning, can reduce avoidable high-intensity care and improve quality of life at the end of life (EoL).

We examined patterns of care at EoL and evaluated predictors of high-intensity care at EoL among adults aged 18-64 with cancer.

Using data from the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry-Health Insurance Linkage Database, we examined 1359 patients diagnosed with cancer in 2010-2019, who died of cancer between 2017 and 2019 at 64 years and younger, and who were enrolled in Medicaid or private health insurance in last 30 days before death. We used composite measures for high-intensity and recommended EoL care using claims-based indicators in the last 30 days before death. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine predictors associated with high-intensity EoL care.

About 70.3% of young and middle-aged Hispanic cancer patients received high-intensity EoL care, whereas only 20.6% received recommended EoL care. Patients without recommended EoL care were more likely to receive high-intensity EoL care (aOR=4.23; 95% CI=3.18-5.61). High-intensity EoL care was more likely in female patients (aOR=1.43; 95% CI=1.11-1.85) and patients with hematologic cancers (aOR=1.91; 95% CI=1.13-3.20) and less likely in patients who survived >12 months after cancer diagnosis (aOR=0.55; 95% CI=0.43-0.71).

A high proportion of Hispanic adults with cancer in Puerto Rico receive high-intensity EoL care and have unmet needs at EoL. Tailored interventions can reduce high-intensity EoL care and increase recommended EoL care. Recommended EoL care can ease pain, reduce distress, honor personal preferences, and cut unnecessary medical costs.