Charlson–Deyo Comorbidity Index as a Novel Predictor for Recurrence in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Simple Summary: For certain malignancies, comorbidities are associated with an increased risk of cancer recurrence. However, it is unknown if this is also true for localized, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The Charlson–Deyo comorbidity score is a commonly used tool for comorbidity-associated survival. We relied on this tool to stratify patients into low vs. high comorbidity burden groups and tested whether the comorbidity burden affected the risk of recurrence. Our data suggest that patients who harbor a high comorbidity burden have an increased risk of tumor recurrence. Purpose: To test the association between the Charlson–Deyo Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the recurrence of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Methods: NMIBC (Ta, T1, TIS) patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) between 2010 and 2018 were identified within a retrospective data repository of a large university hospital. Kaplan–Meier estimates and uni- and multivariable Cox regression models tested for differences in risk of recurrence according to low vs. high comorbidity burden (CCI ≤ 4 vs. >4) and continuously coded CCI. Results: A total of 1072 NMIBC patients were identified. The median follow-up time of the study population was 55 months (IQR 29.6–79.0). Of all 1072 NMIBC patients, 423 (39%) harbored a low comorbidity burden vs. 649 (61%) with a high comorbidity burden. Overall, the rate of recurrence was 10% at the 12-month follow-up vs. 22% at the 72-month follow-up. In low vs. high comorbidity burden groups, rates of recurrence were 6 vs. 12% at 12 months and 18 vs. 25% at 72 months of follow-up (p = 0.02). After multivariable adjustment, a high comorbidity burden (CCI > 4) independently predicted a higher risk of recurrence (HR 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.92, p = 0.018). After multivariable adjustment, the hazard of recurrence increased by 5% per each one-unit increase on the CCI scale (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00–1.10, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Comorbidities in NMIBC patients are common. Our data suggest that patients with higher CCI have an increased risk of BC recurrence. As a consequence, patients with a high comorbidity burden should be particularly encouraged to adhere to NMIBC guidelines and conform to follow-up protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]