Introduction and objective: To assess the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC) in patients with bladder cancer treated within a high-volume tertiary referral center.
Methods: We identified 1,214 patients who underwent RC with intent to cure from 2009 to 2019. The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) GFR (ml/min/1.73 m²) was calculated and patients were categorized by baseline GFR: Group A = GFR > 60, Group B = GFR > 30-59 and Group C = GFR < 30. Pre-, intra- and postoperative characteristics, oncological outcomes, and 90-day perioperative outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression was used to control for confounding variables.
Results: We identified 722 (59.5%) patients in Group A, 448 (36.9%) in Group B, and 44 (3.6%) in Group C. Patients with worse CKD were older and had significantly worse overall comorbidity (all P < 0.001). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was used in 352 patients (29%), including 182 (25.2%) in Group A, 153 in Group B (35.3%), and 12 in Group C (27.3%). On univariate analysis, worse CKD was associated with higher pathologic stage, lymph node metastases and positive soft tissue margins (all P < 0.0001). The rates of blood transfusion, 90-day complications and readmissions were higher in patients with worse CKD (P < 0.0001, P = 0.02, P = 0.04, respectively). Patients with worse CKD had worse overall survival (77% vs. 73% vs. 55%, P < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, worse CKD was independently associated with adverse pathology (≥pT3 or node positive) (OR = 6.96, 95%CI 3.20-15.12), 90-day readmissions (OR 2.09, 95%CI 1.11-3.94) and perioperative transfusion (OR 2.08, 95%CI 1.05-4.11). Receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with a decreased risk of adverse pathology (OR 0.51, 95%CI 0.36-0.74) and increased risk of transfusion (OR 2.24, 95%CI 1.70-2.96), but not with mortality, complications, readmissions or length or stay.
Conclusion: CKD is prevalent in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. We found CKD to be independently associated with a higher likelihood of adverse pathology, 90-day readmissions, and transfusion.
Keywords: Bladder cancer; Chronic kidney disease; Outcomes; Radical cystectomy.
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