The impact of economic crisis, COVID-19, and the Beirut Blast on colorectal cancer patients in Lebanon: A trend to operate more late-stage complex cases.

Abstract

Background: The convergence of the economic crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, and Beirut Blast has precipitated unprecedented challenges for the healthcare system in Lebanon, particularly for cancer patients. Amidst these crises, our study evaluates its contribution to a concerning trend of operating on more late-stage and complex colorectal cancer (CRC) cases.

Methods: We included 155 patients operated for CRC between 2017 and 2023. Patients age; sex; operation type (emergency or elective); tumor size, grade, and location; tumour, node, metastasis stage; lymphatic, vascular and perineural invasions; American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, presentation and previous history, and complications were examined.

Results: Surgical outcomes remained relatively consistent before and after the crisis. However, there was a notable increase, with patients being 3.59 times more likely to undergo resection of adjacent organs in metastatic disease post-crisis. Patient characteristics also exhibited notable shifts, with a 9.60-fold increase in the likelihood of having an ASA score of at least 2 after the crisis. Additionally, there was a 5.36-fold decrease in the odds of patients undergoing a colonoscopy before their diagnostic one post-crisis. Preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels were significantly elevated post-crisis compared to pre-crisis levels. Pathological findings revealed increased odds of perineural, vascular, and lymphatic invasion post-crisis. Additionally, there was a notable increase in the likelihood of hepatic synchronous metastases post-crisis. Furthermore, a trend to operate on complicated diseases was noted with an increased number of colostomies.

Conclusion: The economic crisis in Lebanon has profoundly affected early intervention and comprehensive treatment for CRC patients, resulting in a concerning rise in late-stage cases requiring surgical intervention.