Missed Follow-up is associated with worse survival in stage I lung cancer: results from a large multi-site academic hospital system

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of early incomplete follow-up on overall survival among stage I lung cancer patients. Patients with clinical stage I lung cancer at our institution between 2007 and 2016 were identified (N = 1111). Exclusions included < 18 years of age (N = 2), missing stage or demographics (N = 56), incomplete appointment data or had only one scheduled appointment (N = 351), or did not survive for at least 1 year after diagnosis (N = 120). Missed appointments were defined as unattended follow-up appointments within the first year of diagnosis without an attended appointment in the subsequent 60 days. The primary outcome was the hazard ratio (HR) for death associated per 10% increase in missed oncology follow-up appointments. Univariable and descriptive statistics were performed, and a multivariable landmark Cox regression model was created to examine the effect of missed oncology follow-up on survival. A total of 582 patients were analyzed with median follow-up of 3.2 years and median age of 69 years. On multivariable analysis controlling for age, sex, race, insurance status, and definitive treatment type the HR for death was 1.44 (95% CI 1.05-1.97) for every 10% increase in missed appointments. Incomplete oncologic follow-up may negatively impact overall survival among survivors of early-stage lung cancer.