LAUSR

OBJECTIVES To elucidate the national burden of emergency department (ED) visits for radiation cystitis (RC), a known complication of radiation therapy to the pelvic area, among patients with a prostate cancer history, and identify those who are at increased risk of requiring invasive measures. METHODS This study queried the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample for all ED visits from January 2006 to December 2015 with a primary diagnosis of radiation cystitis and secondary diagnosis of prostate cancer. ED visits were characterized by demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, and hospital characteristics. Weighted frequencies were used to create national estimates for all data analysis. RESULTS A weighted total of 17,382 ED visits occurred for RC among patients with a prostate cancer history, of which 9,655 (55.5%) were treated with an invasive procedure. Notable factors associated with undergoing an invasive procedure included having a prior prostatectomy (odds ratio [OR], 5.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.62-11.46), urinary retention (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.12-1.64), hematuria (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01-1.42), and undergoing a blood transfusion (OR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.72-2.62). ED visits that were associated with invasive procedures had a higher median total charge ($34,707.53 vs $15,632.53) and an increased median length of stay (5 days vs 3 days) compared to visits without an invasive procedure. CONCLUSIONS Among ED visits for RC in prostate cancer, approximately one half required an invasive procedure for treatment. While radiation remains an effective modality for patients with prostate cancer, providers should be mindful of RC as a potential complication.