Effects of Distance From Academic Cancer Center on Overall Survival of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Retrospective Analysis of Treated Patients

Prajwal Dhakal, Elizabeth Lyden, Kate Lynn E. Muir, Zaid S. Al-Kadhimi, Lori J. Maness, Krishna Gundabolu, Vijaya Raj Bhatt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Patients living farther away from academic centers may not have easy access to resources for management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We aimed to analyze the effect of distance traveled on overall survival (OS) of AML patients treated at an academic center. Patients and Methods: AML patients diagnosed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center were divided into 4 groups according to the shortest distance between the cancer center and patients’ residence (<25, 25-50, 50-100, and > 100 miles). Chi-square test and ANOVA were used to examine the association of distance with patient characteristics. OS, defined as the time from diagnosis of AML to death from any cause, was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparison of survival curves was done by the log-rank test. Multivariable analysis using Cox regression was performed to detect the survival effect of distance from the cancer center. Results: The total number of patients was 449. Median distance was 85 miles (interquartile range, 20-180). OS at 1 year for < 25, 25-50, 50-100, and > 100 miles was 45%, 55%, 38%, and 40% respectively (P = .6). In a Cox regression analysis, distance from treatment center, as a continuous variable, was not a significant factor for death (hazard ratio, 1.001; 95% confidence interval, 1.000-1.001). Multivariable analysis showed nonsignificant trend of increased mortality for patients traveling > 100 miles to a cancer center. Conclusion: This study did not demonstrate an association between distance from an academic cancer center and OS in AML. This finding should provide some assurance to patients who live farther away from academic centers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e685-e690
JournalClinical Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia
Volume20
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2020

Keywords

  • Academic center
  • Hematopoietic cell transplantation
  • Outcome
  • Prognosis
  • Transplant

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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