Impact of iron-deficiency anemia on short-term outcomes after resection of colorectal cancer liver metastasis: a US National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) analysis.

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) often spreads to the liver, necessitating surgical treatment for CRC liver metastasis (CRLM). Iron-deficiency anemia is common in CRC patients and is associated with fatigue and weakness. This study investigated the effects of iron-deficiency anemia on the outcomes of surgical resection of CRLM.

METHODS

This population-based, retrospective study evaluated data from adults ≥20 years old with CRLM who underwent hepatic resection. All patient data were extracted from the 2005-2018 US National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. The outcome measures were in-hospital outcomes including 30-day mortality, unfavorable discharge, and prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS), and short-term complications such as bleeding and infection. Associations between iron-deficiency anemia and outcomes were determined using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Data from 7,749 patients (representing 37,923 persons in the United States after weighting) were analyzed. Multivariable analysis revealed that iron-deficiency anemia was significantly associated with an increased risk of prolonged LOS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.30-3.30), unfavorable discharge (aOR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.83-3.19), bleeding (aOR, 5.05; 95% CI, 2.92-8.74), sepsis (aOR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.04-2.46), pneumonia (aOR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.72-3.74), and acute kidney injury (aOR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.24-2.35). Subgroup analyses revealed consistent associations between iron-deficiency anemia and prolonged LOS across age, sex, and obesity status categories.

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing hepatic resection for CRLM, iron-deficiency anemia is an independent risk factor for prolonged LOS, unfavorable discharge, and several critical postoperative complications. These findings underscore the need for proactive anemia management to optimize surgical outcomes.