What can claims data tell us about risk factors and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma? Insights from a German population-based study

Becht, Selina; Ben Khaled, Najib; Schrodi, Simone; von Bergwelt-Baildon, Michael; Buggisch, Peter; Crispin, Alexander; Hofmann, Wolf-Peter; Marschall, Ursula; Mayerle, Julia; Mörtl, Bernhard; Orabi, Sami; Philipp, Alexander; Trojan, Jörg; Weiglein, Tobias; De Toni, Enrico N.; Berger-Thürmel, Karin (2025): What can claims data tell us about risk factors and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma? Insights from a German population-based study. Frontiers in Oncology, 15: 1650982. ISSN 2234-943X

Abstract

Background:

Geographic and temporal variations in the incidence and treatment of chronic viral hepatitis and trends in the development of metabolic and behavioral risk factors result in heterogeneous incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, national epidemiological information should be evaluated to identify the need for action.

Methods:

This retrospective observational study included adult patients with incident HCC (2016-2020). A network analysis was performed to investigate inter-relationships among risk factor diagnoses before HCC. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model were used to analyze survival.

Findings:

A total of 2,778 patients were included. Mean age was 71.9 years (SD ±9.7); 69% were male. Most frequently documented risk factor diagnoses were diabetes mellitus (76%), obesity (56%), liver fibrosis/cirrhosis (44%), and alcohol abuse (36%). Hepatitis B and C were documented in 4% and 11% of patients. Behavioral and metabolic risk factors were 1.1-1.9-fold more frequent in men. Diabetes mellitus was the most central risk factor diagnosis co-occurring with other metabolic and behavioral risk factors. Median survival was 8.7 months.

Interpretation:

In this German cohort, risk factor diagnoses before HCC were multifactorial, with metabolic diseases most frequently co-occurring. Survival after HCC was poor. Controlling metabolic risk factors and surveilling at-risk populations are crucial to mitigating the incidence and improving the survival of HCC patients in Germany. Analyzing claims data enabled efficient and effective generation of epidemiological real-world evidence.

• Doc-Type: Article (LMU Hospital)
• Organisational unit (Faculties): 07 Medicine > Medical Center of the University of Munich > Medical Clinic and Outpatient Clinic II (Gastroenterology, Hepatology); 07 Medicine > Medical Center of the University of Munich > Medical Clinic and Outpatient Clinic III (Oncology)
• DFG subject classification of scientific disciplines: Life sciences
• DFG: Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) - 491502892