Three-year hospital service use trajectories of people diagnosed with cancer: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Information regarding hospital service use by people newly diagnosed with cancer can inform patterns of healthcare utilisation and resource demands. This study aims to identify characteristics of group-based trajectories of hospital service use three years after an individual was diagnosed with cancer; and determine factors predictive of trajectory group membership.

Method: A group-based trajectory analysis of hospital service use of people aged ≥30 years who had a new diagnosis of cancer during 2018 in New South Wales, Australia was conducted.

Estimated incidence of disruptions to event-free survival from non-metastatic cancers in New South Wales, Australia - a population-wide epidemiological study of linked cancer registry and treatment data.

Introduction: Population cancer registries record primary cancer incidence, mortality and survival for whole populations, but not more timely outcomes such as cancer recurrence, secondary cancers or other complications that disrupt event-free survival. Nonetheless, indirect evidence may be inferred from treatment data to provide indicators of recurrence and like events, which can facilitate earlier assessment of care outcomes. The present study aims to infer such evidence by applying algorithms to linked cancer registry and treatment data obtained from hospitals and universal health insurance claims applicable to the New South Wales (NSW) population of Australia.

Trajectories of Opioid Use Before and After Cancer Diagnosis: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Opioid use prior to cancer diagnosis increases the likelihood of long-term use during survivorship, however, patterns of use before and after diagnosis are not understood.

Methods: We used population-based dispensing data linked with cancer and death notifications to identify two cohorts of adults residing in New South Wales initiating opioids within 24 months prior to a first cancer diagnosed between 2014 and 2016: 'survivors' (alive 24 months following diagnosis) and 'decedents' (died within 24 months). We used group-based trajectory modelling to identify trajectories of monthly opioid dispensings and dispensed oral morphine equivalent milligrams (OMEmg) during the 24 months before/after cancer diagnosis.

Survival of patients who had cancer diagnosed through an emergency hospital admission: A retrospective matched case-comparison study in Australia.

Background: Individuals diagnosed with cancer via emergency admission are likely to have poor outcomes. This study aims to identify cancer diagnosed through an emergency hospital admission and examine predictors associated with mortality within 12-months.

Method: A population-based retrospective 1:1 propensity-matched case-comparison study of people who had an emergency versus a planned hospital admission with a principal diagnosis of cancer during 2013-2020 in New South Wales, Australia using linked hospital, cancer registry and mortality records.