[Benefits of prehabilitation in patients with colorectal cancer: A case-control study nested]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide. Surgical treatment is considered the gold standard. Prehabilitation emerges as a strategy integrating physical, nutritional, and psychological preparation before surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of prehabilitation in reducing hospital stay and mortality in CRC patients.

A prospective observational nested case-control study within a cohort with a 24-month follow-up was conducted. Patients who underwent prehabilitation were defined as «cases» while those who did not were classified as «controls». Descriptive and analytical analyses were performed, with a significance level of p<0.05. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used to assess survival concerning hospital stay and mortality.

Of the 279 patients, 276 were analyzed (127 cases and 149 controls). The bivariate analysis showed comparable baseline characteristics between groups. The prehabilitation group demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative hospital stay (4 days vs. 5 days; p=0.02). No significant differences were observed in mortality (11.8% vs. 18.8%; p=0.11).

The implementation of multimodal prehabilitation programs in CRC patients is associated with reduced hospital stay. Although no significant difference in mortality was observed, the trend suggests a positive impact. These findings support the adoption of prehabilitation as a standard in oncological practice.