Differences in Hospital Clinical Outcomes Between Younger and Older Women with Breast Cancer in Chile, 2004–2024
1
Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, ISP, Santiago, Chile
2
Centro de Salud Global Intercultural, CeSGi, Universidad del Desarrollo Chile, Santiago, Chile
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Breast cancer in younger women (<40 years-old) presents distinct clinical characteristics and poses specific challenges for health systems. In Chile, population-based evidence comparing hospital outcomes between younger and older women with breast cancer remains limited, particularly when accounting for territorial determinants. To assess differences in in-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay between younger women and those aged 40 years and older hospitalized for breast cancer in Chile.
METHODS:
A retrospective observational study was conducted using anonymized national hospital discharge data from the Ministry of Health 2004 to 2024 (Fondecyt#1251858, ANID-Chilean Government). Women hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of breast cancer (ICD-10 C50) were included. Outcomes were in-hospital mortality and length of stay. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used for mortality, and a mixed-effects negative binomial model for length of stay, both including a random intercept for region. Models were adjusted for age group, migrant status, health insurance, rurality, specific breast cancer diagnosis, and calendar year.
RESULTS:
A total of 120,898 hospital discharges were analyzed, of which 9.3% corresponded to women under 40 years of age. Overall, in-hospital mortality was low and remained stable over time (approximately 3–4%). Younger women had a significantly lower probability of in-hospital death compared with women aged 40 years and older (OR=0.80; 95%CI:0.69–0.92). They also experienced shorter hospital stays (IRR=0.91; 95%CI:0.89–0.93). In-hospital death was strongly associated with longer hospital stays (IRR=4.17; 95%CI:4.03–4.30). Regional-level variability was low for mortality (ICC=2.8%) and modest for length of stay (ICC=4.3%).
CONCLUSIONS:
Younger women hospitalized for breast cancer in Chile experience better hospital clinical outcomes, including lower in-hospital mortality and shorter lengths of stay, compared with 40+ women, independent of sociodemographic and territorial factors. These findings highlight age-related differences in clinical trajectories and support the need for age-sensitive approaches in oncological care.
Breast cancer in younger women (<40 years-old) presents distinct clinical characteristics and poses specific challenges for health systems. In Chile, population-based evidence comparing hospital outcomes between younger and older women with breast cancer remains limited, particularly when accounting for territorial determinants. To assess differences in in-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay between younger women and those aged 40 years and older hospitalized for breast cancer in Chile.
METHODS:
A retrospective observational study was conducted using anonymized national hospital discharge data from the Ministry of Health 2004 to 2024 (Fondecyt#1251858, ANID-Chilean Government). Women hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of breast cancer (ICD-10 C50) were included. Outcomes were in-hospital mortality and length of stay. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used for mortality, and a mixed-effects negative binomial model for length of stay, both including a random intercept for region. Models were adjusted for age group, migrant status, health insurance, rurality, specific breast cancer diagnosis, and calendar year.
RESULTS:
A total of 120,898 hospital discharges were analyzed, of which 9.3% corresponded to women under 40 years of age. Overall, in-hospital mortality was low and remained stable over time (approximately 3–4%). Younger women had a significantly lower probability of in-hospital death compared with women aged 40 years and older (OR=0.80; 95%CI:0.69–0.92). They also experienced shorter hospital stays (IRR=0.91; 95%CI:0.89–0.93). In-hospital death was strongly associated with longer hospital stays (IRR=4.17; 95%CI:4.03–4.30). Regional-level variability was low for mortality (ICC=2.8%) and modest for length of stay (ICC=4.3%).
CONCLUSIONS:
Younger women hospitalized for breast cancer in Chile experience better hospital clinical outcomes, including lower in-hospital mortality and shorter lengths of stay, compared with 40+ women, independent of sociodemographic and territorial factors. These findings highlight age-related differences in clinical trajectories and support the need for age-sensitive approaches in oncological care.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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